Aleysha Ortiz, 19, has filed a lawsuit against Hartford Public High School, alleging that the school failed to provide her with the proper education, allowing her to graduate with honors despite being functionally illiterate.
Born in Puerto Rico and moving to the U.S. at age 5, Ortiz struggled with learning challenges throughout her schooling. She claims the school did little to support her until just one month before graduation when testing revealed her illiteracy.
Despite her inability to read or write at an advanced level, Ortiz graduated with honors and earned a college scholarship. She says she relied heavily on translation apps to complete her assignments, write her college essay, and fill out applications.
Ortiz was accepted into the University of Connecticut, but the transition has been difficult. She admits that college coursework has proven overwhelming and stopped attending classes in February due to the emotional toll. She is now focusing on mental health treatment but hopes to return to school.
In her lawsuit, Ortiz accuses the Hartford school district of negligent infliction of emotional distress, claiming the system denied her an adequate education by not addressing her learning needs.
“People took that opportunity for me to learn, and now I’m in college and I want to take advantage of that. Because this is my education,” Ortiz said.
Through her legal action, Ortiz aims to hold school officials accountable and ensure no other student suffers from similar educational neglect.
