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Appointment of Conservator Recommended
TEA Finds “Significant Shortcomings”
In Houston ISD’s Special-Ed Programs
hisd-special-ed-click-to-download-full-report
The results of a TEA investigation into Houston ISD’s special-ed programs and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) resulted in a recommendation that the education commissioner appoint a conservator to oversee the district’s special-ed programs.

The final 88-page report issued (Sept. 29) by TEA Special Investigations Director Adam Benthall concluded that the problems identified were “significant, systematic and widespread.” The report identified 10 specific issues that the district will need to address.

HISD issued a statement (reported here) disputing the findings and said that it believes the report to be factually and legally incorrect, and accused the TEA of causing many of the problems due to the agency’s illegally imposing, for many years, an 8.5 percent cap on districts identifying students as eligible for special-ed.

See an article in this issue on the latest development in the legal battle in which HISD is seeking to keep the TEA from taking over the district.