Federal Funding Freeze Sparks Confusion, Fear
The U.S. Department of Education hours later clarified that the mandate did not impact Title I, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or other formula grants. It also wouldn’t cover Pell Grants and student loans under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Then just before the freeze was to take effect, a judge ordered a delay until Feb. 3.
Yesterday morning, the White House declared it was rescinding the freeze memo. Shortly after that, the White House press secretary tweeted that the memo was rescinded, but not the actual funding freeze.
Within hours, a federal judge granted a restraining order on the freeze, citing the tweet of the press secretary. The withdrawal of the "hugely ambiguous" OMB order is "a distinction without a difference." In other words, there is no difference between just rescinding the memo and not planning to rescind the actual freeze.
This will undoubtedly be a continuing drama. Fortunately, it appears the intent was not to freeze IDEA and Title I funding. TCASE will be watching this situation since students, LEAs and communities could be heavily impacted by a freeze of the many other grants and loans that were targeted for review.
TCASE Testifies Against School Privatization
The bill, Senate Bill 2 by Senator Creighton (R-Conroe), is a priority of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. It would create a universal education savings account administered by the Texas Comptroller. SB 2 would be open to all children eligible for public pre-K and public school, including current home school and private school children.
If there are more ESA applications than funding available, the comptroller is directed in the bill to conduct a lottery to award 80 percent of the ESAs to those in public schools the prior year and either have an IEP or meet a threshold of 500 percent of the federal poverty line. The other 80 percent could go to any eligible child.
Students in a home school or unaccredited private school would receive $2,000, while students enrolled in an accredited private school would receive $10,000 (or $11,500 for a student with a disability). The bill is expected to cost of $1 billion in the first year, which has already been allotted for in both Senate and House budget bills. By 2030, the cost estimate is nearly $4.5 billion.
SB 2 will likely be modified by the Texas Senate before it is passed and sent to the Texas House.
Gov. Abbott will hold a press conference on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 5 p.m., where he will outline his priorities for the 89th Legislature. ESAs (vouchers) are expected to make his list. See where you can watch the telecast here.
Texas Senate Committees Announced
Conservative lawmakers have promised to make education a top focus. Creighton is pushing for a “parental bill of rights” that would likely limit what educators can teach children about race, gender and sex in public schools.
The newly formed Senate Committee on Education K-16 includes:
- Brandon Creighton, Chair
- Donna Campbell, Vice-Chair
- Paul Bettencourt
- Brent Hagenbuch
- Adam Hinojosa
- Phil King
- José Menéndez
- Mayes Middleton
- Tan Parker
- Angela Paxton
- Royce West
The Texas House has not yet released committee assignments. During the last legislative session, House committees were announced in early February.
Schwinn’s Fed Appointment Draws Mixed Reactions by Texas Educators
Schwinn was not at TEA when the 8.5 percent cap was created, but she led reforms to address the fallout. Critics said her changes were reactive and failed to rebuild trust with families and educators.
Her tenure in Texas was further marred by a $4.4 million no-bid contract with SPEDx, a software company analyzing special education data without parental consent. The state later canceled the deal, losing $2 million and paying $200,000 to a whistleblower. A 2023 legislative committee criticized the contract as an effort to “data-mine” student records, though Schwinn maintained SPEDx was uniquely qualified for the work.
In Tennessee as commissioner of education, Schwinn shifted focus to literacy and tutoring initiatives, earning recognition for improving reading outcomes. Supporters believe her emphasis on evidence-based practices could benefit students nationwide, but lingering concerns about her oversight and decision-making remained. She was once again involved in a no-bid contract, and some Republicans pointed to a pandemic plan to conduct well-being checks on children in their homes as an example of government overreach.
For Texas special education leaders, Schwinn’s nomination is arguably a double-edged sword. On one hand, her federal role could bring a heightened focus on special education services and equitable access for students with disabilities. She also brings classroom experience and an education policy background that will be useful since there is likely to be an education secretary without that perspective. On the other, her record of controversial decision-making at TEA leaves lingering doubts about whether she can build trust and collaboration.
Grant Opens to Support ECSE Educators
Grant-funded training will focus on behavior management strategies and promoting inclusive opportunities for children with disabilities ages 3 to 5 who are not yet in kindergarten. The program is designed to equip ECSE educators with tools to improve outcomes for young learners.
LEAs may also apply for funding to support prekindergarten teachers seeking dual certification in special education and general education, broadening their capacity to serve diverse student needs.
For more details, visit the Empowering ECSE Educators to Improve Student Outcomes Grant website.
Parent-Directed Grant Window Opens Soon
Funds can be used to purchase educational materials, such as textbooks, technology, and curriculum, or services like tutoring, speech therapy, and other supports. Eligible students must be enrolled in grades PreK-12 (including 18+ programs), receive special education services through an IEP, and not have received a previous PDSES or SSES grant.
The application closes on March 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. CST. TEA has created resources, including a one-pager on the application process, available on the PDSES Outreach Materials webpage.
For more details, visit pdsses.tea.texas.gov.