School choice ‘a lifeline’ for family of special-needs students

A mother of three autistic children is calling school choice “a lifeline” that “opens the door to a life of hope, dignity and independence.”

Writing in The Black Chronicle, Jennifer Cotney of New Orleans argues educational freedom isn’t about politics, but empowering parents.

Each one of her autistic children has “unique strengths, ability levels and cognitive needs.

“Navigating the education system with one special-needs child is difficult. Doing it with three shaped every aspect of my life and taught me a hard truth: A one-size-fits-all education leaves far too many children behind.”

Her oldest son, Kolijah, was assigned to a special-needs class after first grade, where he was “safe and cared for, but he wasn’t progressing academically or verbally.” Her second son, Evan, whose needs are more severe, was placed in the same classroom. 

While her youngest child, Isabella, thrived in public school and received appropriate support for her lower-level autism diagnosis, Cotney feared for her two boys’ future. “Would they be employable? Could they live independently? If something happened to their father or me, would they end up as wards of the state?” she wondered. 

Charters weren’t the answer 

The family moved to New Orleans while the children were still in school and entered the charter system, which serves the vast majority of students there, but Cotney was soon disappointed.

“On the surface, charters promise choice,” she said. “In reality, they are driven by test scores – scores that often matter more for funding and staffing decisions than individual student growth. Once again, my boys were underserved.” 

Things changed when she learned about St. Michael Special School, a private Catholic school designed specifically for special-needs students. She was excited, but “the tuition was far beyond our reach.” 

On a whim, she scheduled a tour and asked about scholarships, eventually receiving one from ACE Scholarships, which distributes private donations and administers school choice programs in several states. 

While the grant “didn’t cover the full cost, it made the impossible possible,” Cotney said. 

Making an immeasurable impact 

The impact on her boys, now 23 and 19, has been immeasurable. 

“From the moment Kolijah enrolled at St. Michael, he flourished,” Cotney wrote. “He became a leader among his peers, serving in student council, acting as class president and earning a starring role in his senior-year musical. 

“The following year, Evan enrolled as well. He gained confidence, discovered a talent for voice-acting and began dreaming of a future that includes marriage, fatherhood and a desire to travel to Japan someday. He will always need some support, but now he has hope.” 

Cotney said school choice “has been the difference maker for my children. 

“I share our story not as a policy argument, but as living proof: When families are trusted to choose, children with special needs can thrive. Because of choice, I no longer fear what the future holds for my children.” 

Norton Rainey, CEO of ACE, called Cotney “a true inspiration to the school choice movement and demonstrates the access it can provide to special needs students.”  

“There’s a misconception that private schools lack resources to provide support to students with learning differences,” Rainey told The Lion in an email. “Stories like the Cotneys’ remind us that hundreds of specialized schools serve students based on their specific needs. School choice helps bridge that gap, making it possible for more families to afford an education that works for them.” 

School choice has expanded dramatically in the United States, with programs in 35 states and about 1.5 million students participating nationwide. States including Mississippi are looking to add or expand their choice programs. 

A federal school choice tax credit will take effect in 2027, although states must opt-in to participate.