[When it comes to public schools it appears many on this forum do not have an open mind, which is a shame.]
As long as public schools can force Ritalin and other mind altering drugs on kids without parental notification, the schools will be lousy .
Ritalin is a controlled substance that cannot even be called in by the doctor, but the prescription must be hand carried by the parent to the pharmacy. Please cite an example where a school district diagnosed, purchased, and administered a controlled substance to a child.
Can they do that in your state? They can't in mine. Teachers aren't allowed to prescribe drugs, or even suggest students might need them. It's considered "practicing medicine without a license" or something similar.
Maybe you need to be talking to your state lawmakers.
I will note that while these were students, this didn't happen at school, or even on school property. It happened after the students were effectively "home".