Austin ISD presented with alternative plan by TEA over special education

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Education Agency (TEA) presented an alternative plan for Austin ISD to consider in place of a conservatorship over special education on Wednesday.

Austin ISD interim superintendent Matias Segura and Board of Trustees president Arati Singh held a press conference after the TEA presented an alternative plan for Austin ISD to consider, in place of a conservatorship, over special education.

In March 2023, the TEA proposed a conservatorship for AISD. Shortly after, the district requested an informal review, and instead, received a monitor.

"This is a collaboration. This is still monitoring. This is still an intervention by TEA. This is not as though AISD is going to be operating without that type of communication and engagement with TEA," says interim superintendent Matia Segura.

Segura says if the school board approves this plan, the TEA will simply monitor its special education program.

"It's not just a special education issue. It's an academic issue for us. And so, there's complete buy in from this organization to address the needs of our students," says Segura.

On Thursday, board members will be discussing the proposed plan during a closed session with a vote expected next month. If approved, there will be a series of reporting requirements to the TEA.

"Just know that those would be reported at a board meeting every nine weeks starting in October. So, you can expect that to be the time when we really are able to see how this backlog has been reduced over time," says board of trustees president Arati Singh.

Back in 2020, there were more than 600 delayed initial evaluations for special education.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Segura and Singh highlighted the district’s progress:

• Pending evaluations have decreased by approximately 35% since January 2023.
• AISD has tested approximately 80% more students this summer over Summer 2022.
• AISD has tripled its evaluation staff from 22 to 74 LSSPs and diagnosticians.
• Staff at every school completed two days of Special Education professional development last spring in preparation for additional training over the summer to support all learners.
• Added 50 Special Education staff to accommodate the influx of students needing services.

"I hope that our families know that we're working really hard to get this right. And when it is right, it doesn't get eroded away with some change in leadership or some change in funding. It is here to stay. And that's what a systematic improve means," says Segura.

The board and interim superintendent will provide a public update about the TEA’s plan and will discuss next steps with the board counsel in a closed session on Thursday, Aug. 31. 

The district invites the public to share input by emailing trustees at trustees@austinisd.org or by providing comments at upcoming meetings.