A Tennessee high school graduate is suing his school district after receiving a diploma despite being unable to read.
His case is shedding light on major problems in the public school system – including Nevada – where students are often passed along without mastering basic skills.
A Shocking Revelation
William A., a 2024 graduate of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, had a respectable 3.4 GPA. But there was one huge problem: He couldn’t even spell his own name.
His parents were stunned when they learned, in his junior year, that William had dyslexia. By then, he had already gone through years of schooling without learning to read.
How did this happen? How did teachers let him pass from one grade to the next without addressing his struggles?
The answer is troubling.
William relied on AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly to complete assignments. These programs helped him write essays, answer homework questions, and keep up appearances in class.
His teachers knew he couldn’t read – but they still gave him passing grades.
A Broken System
Now, William and his family are taking the school district to court. They argue that the school failed to provide him with a “free appropriate public education,” as required by federal law.
Their lawsuit claims that the district’s negligence caused William “broad irreparable harm.”
A federal appeals court agreed. The judges ruled that William could have learned to read if given proper support and that the failure to educate him had serious consequences.
William’s story isn’t just about one student. It exposes a bigger problem: many schools are more focused on pushing students through the system than ensuring they actually learn.
A Similar Case in Nevada
This isn’t the first time a school district has been accused of failing students with learning disabilities.
In Nevada, a similar case brought by Lori Rogich and her family took on the Clark County School District (CCSD).
The lawsuit argued that the district failed to provide necessary educational support to her daughter, who has dyslexia. A federal judge ruled in their favor, awarding the family nearly half a million dollars to cover private school costs.
More recently, in September 2024, multiple families filed a class-action lawsuit against CCSD and the Nevada Department of Education.
The lawsuit alleges systemic failures in providing adequate education and support for special education students.
Attorney Lori Rogich, representing the families, described the situation as a “continued embarrassing dysfunction” between the state and CCSD.
The lawsuit seeks immediate corrective action to address staffing shortages, inadequate assessments, and failure to implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) properly.
The Role of AI in Education
Technology like ChatGPT can be useful in the classroom. But in William’s case, it masked a serious issue. Instead of helping him overcome his reading difficulties, it allowed him to hide them.
Critics argue that AI is making it too easy for students to avoid learning real skills.
Some educators worry that AI-driven tools are being misused and that schools need stricter policies to ensure students are actually learning.
Others point out that AI is just a tool – it’s the teachers and school systems that must make sure students are properly educated.
What’s Next?
William’s lawsuit could have big consequences. If he wins, it could force schools to change how they handle students with learning disabilities.
It might also bring new rules for grading and AI use in schools.
Some school officials defend their actions, saying they were following standard policies. They argue that teachers did their best with the resources available and that it’s unfair to blame them for William’s struggles.
But many parents and education advocates see this case as proof that the system is failing.
The bigger question remains: how many other students are graduating without basic skills?
If schools can let a student with a 3.4 GPA slip through the cracks, how many others are being left behind?
The outcomes of William’s case, along with those in Nevada, could push schools to reevaluate their educational practices.
Ensuring that students not only advance in grade levels but also acquire essential skills is crucial. As these cases show, failing to do so can lead to serious legal and societal consequences.
This case is far from over, but one thing is clear: William A.’s story, much like the Rogich case, is a wake-up call for America’s education system.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
