Legislators to Discuss State of Public Education
The TCASE Legislative Task Force analyzed and prioritized the input to develop solid recommendations for the legislature to consider. Reforming the TEA complaints process was identified as a top priority. TCASE will provide testimony at the hearing on May 11 to share these recommendations.
The committee hearing notice and instructions for submitting public comment can be found here.
Any Texas resident can submit electronic comments, regardless of their attendance at the hearing, until the hearing is adjourned. Be sure to submit comments on your personal time using personal devices.
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Public Comment Period on Special Ed Rules Closes Soon
Pending final adoption, the expected effective date for the rules is August 2, 2026.
Rules implementing Senate Bill (SB) 57 are also open for public comment. SB 57 requires a variety of provisions including that districts must include in their Multihazard Emergency Operations Plans (MEOPs) accommodations for students with disabilities. The proposed rules specify how schools should ensure equal access to safety for students and staff.
TCASE will submit comments on the rules to express concern with the proposed rules’ new definition of an individual with “functional and access needs” and how this definition applies to new requirements imposed by the rules.
Pending final adoption, the expected effective date for the rules is July 26, 2026.
The public comment period for both sets of rules closes on May 11, 2026 and a form for submitting public comments is available on the TEA website.
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Feds Embarking on Special Ed Spending Study
For special education administrators, the study does not create any immediate compliance or reporting change unless a district or state is selected to participate in data collection. It also does not change IDEA service obligations, ARD committee responsibilities, evaluation timelines or IEP implementation requirements.
Texas districts are already preparing for major changes in the state special education funding model. A federal study focused on actual special education costs could influence future policy debates about IDEA funding adequacy, local cost pressures, Medicaid reimbursement, staffing, related services, and the gap between required services and available revenue.