Shannon Sutorius maintains a thick stack of printed email exchanges, doctor's notes, and meeting records. These are heavily marked and dog-eared, documenting her journey to advocate for her son Max Sutorius' public education. Max, diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and ADHD, is now 20 and earned his high school diploma in December 2022 from a Utah-based online school after a long battle at Marsh Valley High. There, he and his mother fought for appropriate accommodations. Eventually, Max completed his education at home online, and Shannon is haunted by how Idaho's education system failed her child.

State Investigation Reveals Truth

A state investigation in February 2023 found that many of Shannon's allegations were true. The Marsh Valley School District did not fulfill its federal obligation to provide Max with a free and appropriate public education. Superintendent Gary Tucker admitted that "a lack of training and oversight" led to these errors going undetected for some time. They have since worked to bring their special education program into compliance.

Complaints on the Rise

In Idaho, stories like Max's are not uncommon. Parents of students with disabilities are facing similar issues, and frustrations are growing. Last school year, the number of statewide complaints and grievances reached a six-year high. Some cases led to formal investigations of charter schools and school districts, highlighting patterns of federal special education violations. The common thread in these complaints is that parents feel ignored and in the dark.

State's Response and Resources

State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield held listening sessions last summer to understand how the state, districts, and charters could better support children with special needs. The Idaho Department of Education has created a webpage and guides to assist families and emphasized that parents are the final say in their child's education. Shannon and others like her are providing assistance to families. She offers advice, guidance, and resources she learned the hard way.

Navigating the Special Education Maze

Advocating for children with disabilities can be a challenging and costly process. It involves a maze of procedures and systems that can take years to navigate. Some families feel they never find a way out. Special education experts are also stepping in to help, but they believe the state's support systems for schools are not sufficient.

Special Education Experts' Views

Julian Duffey, a special education director, attributes the increase in complaints to a "vacuum of knowledge" about special education at school districts. He started a consulting firm called Balance Point to train districts. However, the Idaho Department of Education prefers state-run training called SESTA and discourages districts from seeking outside help. Duffey believes SESTA trainings focus too much on procedures and not enough on fundamentals.

Parent-District Relationships

An increase in parent complaints about special education programs is a national trend. The pandemic is one of the contributing factors, as students have more complex needs and parents are more involved. To reduce complaints, local school leaders should be visible and available to educate parents. Duffey has adopted this approach at Jefferson County School District, where no complaints have been filed in three years.

The Sutorius' Journey

Max first enrolled in Marsh Valley School District in 2019. Shannon expected them to use his existing IEP or develop one quickly. But it took over two years, numerous emails, and a formal complaint for Max to be evaluated and receive an IEP. Even then, it was generic and not tailored to his needs. The fight for her child took a toll on Shannon, but she continues to help other families. "I had so much pain that I wanted to help others," she said.