Special Education
Laws & News
Across the States
TX: Advocates worry about ‘unclear process’ in Texas school choice law
KXAN
Education advocates have warned lawmakers that S.B. 2 seems to expedite the evaluation process for students seeking an ESA, removing many deadline extensions districts utilize for other students waiting to learn whether they qualify for special education services. “The ESA legislation that is being considered basically allows private school students to cut the line. They could then become eligible for the larger ESA benefit for students with disabilities,” Disability Rights Texas Senior Policy Specialist Steven Aleman said.
“The legislation imposes a burden on public schools to do work for a private school student they are not ever going to see, they are not ever going to get reimbursed for, over and above the public-school students who are already there needing services, already on waitlists,” Aleman said.
CT: Opinion: How do we fix special education in CT?
CT Post
At a public hearing on April 21, members of the Select Committee on Special Education repeatedly asserted that they want to fix the “broken” special education system. Unfortunately, the special education bills currently speeding their way through Connecticut’s legislature, HB-7277 and the identical SB-1561, would make the system far worse and reduce the ability of families — and even school teams — to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Worse, they would further erode the rights and protections for these children and reduce accountability and transparency in our public schools.
NJ: N.J. special education students at risk amid proposed federal cuts
NJ.com
Thousands of students with disabilities in New Jersey could face significant setbacks as proposed federal cuts to special education funding, staff reductions, and changes in oversight could worsen existing challenges, particularly in low-income districts like Newark, advocates say. As the Trump administration moves forward with changes at the federal Education Department, school districts like Newark that serve a larger population of vulnerable students face even greater risks since they rely on federal and state funding to provide special education services.
OK: House Sends Bill Banning Corporal Punishment of Disabled Students to Gov. Stitt’s Desk
Oklahoma Watch
A yearslong legislative effort to ban Oklahoma teachers and support staff from using physical force to discipline students with severe disabilities has prevailed. Senate Bill 364 by Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, cleared the House on a 63-25 vote on Wednesday. It now heads to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk for consideration. The State Department of Education passed a rule in 2020 banning corporal punishment of children with significant disabilities. Still, child welfare advocates argue the rule isn’t broad enough and that codification in state law is needed to adequately protect students. In September 2023, KFOR reported that 43 school districts used corporal punishment on students with disabilities during the 2021-2022 school year. “While many schools already prohibit corporal punishment, there are still instances where it is used against children who may struggle to control their behavior or grasp the consequences of their actions,” Rader said in a statement after the bill passed the Senate in late February.
FL: Legislature OKs plan to teach K-12 students about disabilities
Florida Politics
The Senate has signed off on a bill that would teach Florida public school students about disabilities as part of their education. Under the “Evin B. Hartsell Act,” School Boards throughout the state would be authorized to consult with the Evin B. Hartsell Foundation to help develop the curriculum. Tampa Republican Sen. Jay Collins sponsored the Senate bill (SB 540). The Senate bill was swapped out for the House version (HB 447) that was approved in that chamber Friday. The measure will go to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis for final approval.
TX: Private school vouchers to become Texas law
The Texas Tribune
The Texas Senate voted on Thursday to send legislation creating a statewide private school voucher program to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed into law, all but concluding an ugly intraparty battle that has dominated state politics for much of the last two years. Abbott has already said that he plans to sign Senate Bill 2, a $1 billion proposal allowing families to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s private school education. Similar legislation has historically run into opposition from Democrats and rural Republicans. But that changed last week, when the Texas House gave its stamp of approval to SB 2, a vote that included support from Republicans who opposed similar legislation in 2023. Upon Abbott’s signature, the program will officially launch at the start of the 2026-27 school year. SB 2 would initially put $1 billion over a two-year period in taxpayer dollars toward education savings accounts that families could use for private school tuition and other school-related expenses, like textbooks, transportation, and therapy.
TX: DATA: How far will TX school choice funds go?
KXAN
As the Texas legislature finalizes a deal on school choice, private schools serving children with disabilities say they are wary of strings that might be attached to taking taxpayer dollars. Our investigative team analyzed data from across Central Texas and found even with help from the state, private schools will still be out of reach for many low-income families without significant financial aid and scholarships.
WA: WA lawmakers poised to give schools a special education victory
Seattle Times
Washington lawmakers are likely to eliminate a longstanding limit on special education spending — a change advocates call a civil rights victory years in the making. This move, coupled with an overall boost to special education funding, would bring at least a little relief to school districts, in the neighborhood of about $150 million annually. It’s a notable commitment, especially this year, as lawmakers seek to balance a multibillion-dollar hole in the state’s budget. “It’s going to help,” Chris Reykdal, superintendent of public instruction, said in an interview Thursday. Under current law, Washington only provides state funding to cover special education for up to 16% of a district’s total student population. Over 100 school districts have more than 16% of their students receiving special education services, according to the state education department.
FL: Legislature OKs plan to teach K-12 students about disabilities
Florida Politics
The Senate has signed off on a bill that would teach Florida public school students about disabilities as part of their education. Under the “Evin B. Hartsell Act,” School Boards throughout the state would be authorized to consult with the Evin B. Hartsell Foundation to help develop the curriculum. Tampa Republican Sen. Jay Collins sponsored the Senate bill (SB 540). The Senate bill was swapped out for the House version (HB 447) that was approved in that chamber Friday. The measure will go to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis for final approval.
TX: Family says special education student needs treatment instead of jail after school assault
MSN.com
The Clute family feels like they are being kept in the dark on criminal charges filed against their son who has mental disabilities. Peter is 17 years old but has the mentality of a 12-or 13-year-old, according to his father, Brandon Brown. Last Thursday, Peter was taken from his special education class at an alternative school by Brazosport ISD police to the Brazoria County Jail. He was charged as an adult with a count of assault of a public servant other than a peace officer or judge. His bond was set at $100,000. Brown said they have not been able to get information about what he is accused of and authorities say they cannot provide it because he is charged as an adult.