Houston Public Media

The influx of nearly $8.5 billion to Texas schools last year did not stop many from cutting programs, eliminating staffing and closing campuses. 

On Monday, school leaders from across the state will detail the financial challenges still plaguing their districts roughly a year after receiving the significant increase in funding. The Texas House Public Education Committee hearing will focus on the implementation of House Bill 2, which provided schools with new money for teacher pay, educator training and special education. Lawmakers will gather recommendations on ways to better prepare teachers for careers in the classroom and improve services for children with disabilities.

Lawmakers also approved significant changes to how Texas pays for special education. Districts will soon receive money for students with disabilities based on the needs of each child, as opposed to the classroom setting the school assigns them to. Those changes take effect next school year. The state now must reimburse districts $1,000 for each evaluation of a child suspected of having a disability, which can cost between $1,000 and $5,000 or more to complete. Notably, public schools must conduct and pay for the special education evaluations of families wanting to participate in the new voucher program if they request one. Texas’ voucher program launches next school year, which public school officials have noted could result in additional funding losses if students leave their campuses for other options.