Houston Public Media

Late last week, documents that leaked online and circulated on social media detailed proposed major changes to special education in Texas’s largest school district, which has been under state control since 2023. The documents appear to show plans to consolidate special education services to specific schools dubbed “specialty schools” in HISD. The plan, as outlined in the documents, would require many families to be transferred from their current or zoned school to a new school, where their special education services would be provided. The district has not responded to requests for comment regarding the documents, the SEPAC meeting, or any plans the district may have to change special education. However, Patman said at the meeting, district leaders acknowledged the documents and expressed regret over the leak. Patman said district officials said they were “early editions,” “incorrect,” and “no longer apply,” but that HISD leaders said they were still moving forward with consolidating special education students and services for the upcoming school year, with plans to announce the changes publicly as early as next week.