In a poignant moment during the Maryland State Board of Education meeting, parent advocate Sharon Sarov shared her heartfelt concerns about the challenges faced by students with special needs in Baltimore County. As she spoke from her car, Sarov, a proud mother of two adult children with disabilities, painted a stark picture of the struggles many families endure within the public education system.

Sarov highlighted the inadequacies of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in the county, emphasizing that many do not provide essential baseline data or support for students. She expressed frustration over the practice of placing students in general education settings without adequate resources, noting that some children make minimal progress over several years, yet are still deemed to be advancing. “How can you say in the state of Maryland that a child with an IEP doesn't need a reading intervention plan?” she questioned, pointing out the lack of effective goals and timelines in IEPs.

Her testimony resonated with the audience, as she called for a reevaluation of the current educational practices in Maryland. Sarov's passionate plea underscored a growing concern among parents and advocates that the system is not only failing to meet the needs of these students but is also deteriorating over time. “We need to take a second look at what we're doing in Maryland,” she urged, leaving a powerful call to action for the board and the community to address these pressing issues.

As the meeting continued, it became clear that Sarov's insights reflect a broader sentiment among parents advocating for better support and resources for students with special needs, a topic that demands urgent attention from educational leaders across the state.