Families confront HISD board over special education program's changes and investigation

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) board faced community backlash during a meeting where parents of special education students spoke out against proposed changes to the district’s special education program. Families expressed frustration over being forced to choose between keeping their children at under-resourced schools or moving them to unfamiliar campuses, despite individualized education programs (IEPs) not changing. The U.S. Department of Education recently launched an investigation into HISD’s special education program, examining whether the district discriminates against students with disabilities by separating them from general education classrooms. University of Houston education professor Duncan Klussman noted that federal oversight in special education has intensified, particularly in Texas, where compliance has long been scrutinized. During the meeting, HISD officials clarified that no standalone campuses will be created for the program, though around 5,000 of the district’s 20,000 special education students may be required to switch schools. Superintendent Mike Miles emphasized that IEPs will remain intact and that smaller classrooms with fewer grade levels will improve instruction. However, families criticized the lack of early engagement, calling the changes an ‘eviction from their support system.’ Board members questioned the logistics of the program’s implementation, with deputy superintendent Krinsten Holt confirming that specialized classrooms will be housed within existing schools. The district claims the changes aim to provide more tailored instruction, but parents and advocates remain concerned about the disruption to students’ social and academic environments.