Lily Eskelsen Garcia has NO place in the Department of Education. Her view of special education and comments made while she was president of the National Education Association (NEA) from 2014-2020, show her clear and dangerous bias against those with disabilities and inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom; a right guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

• "the chronically tarded and the medically annoying"
• "Garcia's inclusion of special needs students on a laundry list of teacher hardships was as unfortunate as it was revealing.

While in that role at NEA, she led and oversaw the development of many positions that stood in direct opposition to those taken by parents and parent advocacy organizations in support of children with disabilities. Under her leadership, NEA would not support the Keeping All Students Safe Act which would eliminate seclusion and reduce physical restraint in schools.

We can not allow for someone who has so blatantly and openly shared her distain for students who receive special education services be placed at the head of the Department of Education. Garcia's if named nominee would undermine the very work so many have done to ensure ALL students have access to an equitable, inclusive education. Inclusion is a right not a privilege for a select few.