For years, I believed that if I just trusted the system, it would work for my child. Like many parents, I assumed that public education supported by dedicated teachers and structured plans would be enough. But when my daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia, everything changed. What I thought would be a straightforward path to support quickly became a journey filled with frustration, advocacy, and ultimately, transformation through school choice.
My daughter is currently in fourth grade, and she is bright, creative, and full of potential. However, in the Cypress-Fairbanks school district we lived in outside of Houston, Texas, her needs were not being fully met. Although she had an Individualized Education Program (IEP), it became clear that the services provided were not sufficient for a child with dyslexia. She needed more than just accommodation; she needed specialized instruction using a dyslexia-friendly curriculum and consistent, structured literacy intervention.
As a single mother, I explored private school options that specialized in dyslexia, but with tuition costs reaching $30,000 a year—combined with the financial strain of my own medical diagnosis and mounting medical bills that arose around the same time as her dyslexia diagnosis—those options were simply out of reach.
Instead, we encountered gaps. The classroom instruction was inconsistent, and educational support varied. And despite my continuous advocacy, I found myself in a system that was not designed to meet her where she was. As a parent, there is nothing more disheartening than watching your child struggle, not because they lack ability, but because they lack access to the right resources.
I refused to let my daughter fall through the cracks.
Last year, I made a life-changing decision to move to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in search of better opportunities for her education. It was not an easy choice as relocating is never simple, but it was necessary. In Baton Rouge, I found something I had been searching for all along: a dyslexia-focused charter school that truly understands how children like my daughter learn best.
The difference was immediate and undeniable.
For the first time, my daughter received instructions tailored specifically to her needs. The curriculum was structured, intentional, and rooted in evidence-based practices for students with dyslexia. She was no longer just “getting by”. She was learning, growing, and gaining confidence in herself. This school didn’t just accommodate her differences; it embraced them and equipped her with the tools she needs to succeed in any academic environment.
My journey as a parent advocate did not stop there.
When the school sought to expand and open an additional location in Jefferson Parish, it faced initial denial from the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). I was asked to speak at the board hearing, alongside other parents, to share why this school, and schools like it, are not a hindrance to public education, but rather a necessary support.
Standing before the BESE board, I shared our story. I spoke about the years of struggle, the emotional toll, and the transformation I witnessed once my daughter had access to the right educational environment. I made it clear that specialized schools for students with dyslexia are not about separation; they are about preparation. These schools provide students with the foundational skills they need to thrive, not just in specialized settings, but in any classroom, any career, and any future they choose.
School choice is not just a policy issue; it is deeply personal. It is about ensuring that every child, regardless of their learning differences, has access to an education that meets their unique needs. It is about empowering parents to make decisions in the best interest of their children, especially when traditional systems fall short.
I am proud to say that the BESE board ultimately approved the new location, and the school will open next fall. This decision will impact countless families who, like mine, are searching for hope, support, and opportunity for their children.
My daughter’s story is still being written, but today, it is filled with progress, confidence, and possibilities. And that is the power of school choice.
No parent should have to move states just to access the education their child deserves. But until every system is equipped to serve every learner, school choice remains not just important, but essential.
