Special Education

The Texas House originally passed House Bill 2, a multibillion-dollar school funding package, in April. But the version of the legislation heard Thursday by a panel of Texas senators includes several significant changes from what the House approved.

The completion of nearly 1,200 evaluations is an important milestone in the district's effort to improve services for students with disabilities.

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted last week to offer Segura the job. He is the first graduate of the district to serve as its superintendent.

Austin ISD had nearly 1,800 overdue evaluations in January 2023, but that figure dropped to 306 by December — a reduction of nearly 83%.

At a time when many Texas school districts are struggling to balance their budgets, districts learned they have millions more dollars to make up. Austin ISD will receive $5 million less than expected.

The Texas Education Agency has outlined a corrective action plan that Austin ISD must follow in order to avoid more severe state intervention, such as a conservatorship.

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath sent a letter to Austin ISD on Thursday naming the two monitors who will ensure the district is complying with its corrective action plan.

The Texas Education Agency stepped in after an investigation found the district repeatedly failed to serve students with disabilities as required by state and federal law.

The Texas Education Agency has proposed appointing at least one monitor to track the district's progress. If AISD does not meet certain benchmarks, the agency could still appoint one or more conservators.

The Texas Education Agency earlier this year proposed a special education conservatorship, largely because of Austin ISD's backlog of special education evaluations. But now state education officials are offering the district a different plan.