Special Ed Student Blocked From Spelling Bee

There are allegations that a Brooklyn principal blocked two students from participating in a spelling bee because they are in special education. IS 252 eighth grader Lamarre St. Phard won his class spelling bee, and since no other classes had spelling bees, he was made school champion. But he says that Principal Medis Brown would not let him participate in a districtwide spelling bee (the next step to the big Scripps National Spelling Bee) and told him, "You don't have the brains to do it. You're gonna go to the first round and get eliminated and make the school look bad."

Then Brown held another school spelling bee; St. Phard was eliminated, but the winner and runner up decided not to compete in the regional bee, leaving the next winner, Christian Cartagena, who is also in special education. So Brown decided no one would represent the school. While she says her decision was not based upon the special education status of the students, but other teachers and school staffers are upset with Brown's behavior and decisions; a librarian said Brown referred to St. Phard as "a special-ed student who can't even read" (St. Phard is reportedly in special ed due to a behavior issue).

St. Phard tells the Daily News and the Post, "I'm gonna keep studying to show her that special ed students can participate and I'm gonna stand up for special ed students. That really hurts, to tell someone they don't have brains because they're special ed... A lot of them are smart kids - they're just kind of shy." And if you're curious about how students study for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, check out the study resources Scripps has on its website and also the movie Spellbound.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on January 11, 2007 8:55 AM

Comments [rss]

Rebecca

E-U-O-N-Y-M!!!!!

ed_Extinct

GARK

dorky mcmoonbeam

this woman is a MONSTER. A MONSTER!!!! She should be burned! She should be burned, until she dies!

turt

those who can't teach, become administrators.

readmorecarefully

Man I hate it when people rag on teachers. In this case, whether teachers "can" or "can't" isn't really an issue. The problem in this story is coming solely from the school administration.

anonymass

is that a joke, to mispell 'spelling' in the headline? I bet the kids in the article could do better....

Is that a joke, to misspell 'misspell' in your comment?

Tamar Weinberg

Real smart, Brown... you're setting an excellent example by discouraging potential "special ed" students with behavioral problems from overcoming them!

Obviously he had the brains to win his school's spelling bee. Outsmarting the "normal" kids obviously indicates the intellect needed to succeed in the district.

What a coward.

nick

i smell a movie!

Mr. Perfect

Who cares? We all know retards can't spell...

Guy

NuTz 2 sPelllin y0, pEEpz b undurStaNdn h0w I spelll! L0l!!!!!!1!!!

Former Special Ed Teacher

So, how about the special ed teacher(s) who helped those students get to where they are? I'd say they definitely "can".

I'm impresed with the student who despite behavior issues, can win a spelling bee and articulate his beliefs so well. My guess is there's a good teacher somewhere behind that.

marty

Man. What a frickin bitch!

Rodney P. Sweetchops

s: Doubtful, it's just vintage Jen Chung.

JM

Those who can't, teach.

Ed Special

This is a good example proving the adage -- those who can't, teach.

Can't wait to hear -- here or elsewhere -- the yowls of sanctimonious educator-defenders.

jik

classic NYC public school. I remember going to public school. It was like Jail. Where the kids are all criminals and the adults all treat them like cattle and belittle them.