According to the federal report, the TEA failed to identify, locate and evaluate children with disabilities and to monitor school districts to ensure they met requirements laid out in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The heart of the violation can be tied to an 8.5 percent indicator set in 2004 as a general target for the number of students in a school district that should have received special education services. Although TEA officials said the number was not an enforced requirement, the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs found it caused some school districts to take actions intended to decrease the percentage to 8.5 percent or lower. The indicator was eliminated in 2016.
According to the TEA, about 8.8 percent of all Texas students—a number that has continued to decrease over the last 15 years—receive special education services, compared to the national average of 13 percent. While 75 percent of all Texas students are approaching grade level in reading and math, only 41 percent of the state’s special education students are attaining the same standards.
“The Texas Education Agency is committed to providing the quality of support needed to improve outcomes for students with disabilities,” Commissioner of Education Mike Morath said in an April 24 statement. “This strategic action plan provides a solid foundation for our state to make meaningful, lasting change in how we educate and support children with special needs.”
The plan built upon previous draft versions and incorporated feedback from parents, students and educators collected since January, according to a news release from the TEA.
Highlights of the finalized plan include the following actions steps to be taken by the TEA:
- Implementing a special education professional development system for all educators statewide
- Creating resources to be shared with parents of children who may have disabilities to inform them of their rights to a free and appropriate public education
- Assisting school districts financially in providing support services to students who are found to have needed services but did not receive them
- Strengthening staffing and resources devoted to special education, allowing for greater oversight and on-site support to school districts
According to the TEA, officials submitted the final strategic plan to the Office of Special Education Programs on April 23. To read the plan in full and see previous versions, visit www.tea.texas.gov/texassped.
