Legal Battle Unfolds as Former High School Student Fights System A legal drama is unfolding as Aleysha Ortiz, a former student of Hartford Public High School, takes on her school district, alleging that she was failed by the system and left unable to read or write despite graduating with honors.

Ortiz, who spent 12 years in the Hartford public school system, recently revealed her struggles before the city council in May 2024. She disclosed that while she had always depended on technology to cope with her schoolwork, the underlying issue of her reading and writing difficulties was never properly addressed.

Her journey through the school system was fraught with challenges, starting as early as first grade when she exhibited difficulties with letter, sound, and number recognition. Despite these red flags, intervention was lacking, leading to behavioral issues and frustration as she progressed through the years. Even by sixth grade, Ortiz was reading at a kindergarten or first-grade level, yet she continued to advance without adequate support.

In high school, Ortiz's situation worsened when she was assigned a special education teacher and case manager, Tilda Santiago, whose actions allegedly exacerbated Ortiz's struggles. Despite Santiago's removal, Ortiz did not receive the necessary help. Her mother, Carmen Cruz, who primarily speaks Spanish, tried to advocate for her daughter but faced challenges due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with the school system.

Ortiz eventually advocated for herself in 11th grade and pushed to be tested for dyslexia, which was confirmed only a month before her graduation. The diagnosis indicated that she needed specific instruction in phonics, fluency, and reading comprehension, which she had been deprived of throughout her school years.

While the school district reportedly offered Ortiz the opportunity to defer her diploma and receive intensive support, she declined, feeling it was too late for such intervention. Now attending the University of Connecticut as a full-time student, Ortiz has faced mental health issues that have affected her studies. Despite the challenges, she remains determined to pursue her dream of becoming a writer, utilizing tools like text-to-speech and speech-to-text apps to give her a voice she never thought she had.

Ortiz's legal battle sheds light on the struggles many students face within the education system and serves as a reminder of the importance of early intervention and support for those with learning difficulties.