A Connecticut teenager has taken legal action against her former high school, alleging that the institution allowed her to graduate with honors despite her severe learning difficulties.
Ortiz, who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the U.S. at age five, exhibited learning difficulties from a young age. Nineteen-year-old Aleysha Ortiz claims that Hartford Public High School failed to provide the necessary educational support, leaving her virtually illiterate as she entered college. Despite being placed under special education programs, she asserts that the support she received was inadequate. It wasn’t until a month before graduation that additional testing was conducted—revealing the extent of her literacy struggles.
“I decided, they had 12 years, now it’s my time,” Ortiz told CNN, explaining why she refused the school’s offer to delay accepting her diploma in exchange for intensive services.
The case has raised serious questions about the standards at Hartford Public High School. Ortiz, who graduated with honors and even received a college scholarship, claims she relied on modern apps to get through school. She used text-to-speech and speech-to-text applications to complete assignments, including her college application and essay.
However, her struggles became evident once she entered the University of Connecticut. Ortiz admitted that she stopped attending classes in early February due to the challenges she faced, as well as mental health concerns. She hopes to return to school after seeking treatment.
By filing a lawsuit for negligent infliction of emotional distress, Ortiz wants to hold school officials accountable for what she describes as a failure of the education system.
“They don’t know what they’re doing and don’t care,” she stated, emphasizing that she hopes her case will prevent other students from enduring a similar experience.
“I’m a very passionate person, and I like to learn,” she added. “People took that opportunity from me, and now I’m in college and I want to take advantage of that. Because this is my education.”