HISD moving forward with special education restructuring as TEA investigation into complaints continues

July 13, 2026 - 20:17

Houston Independent School District officials confirmed they are pushing ahead with a major restructuring of special education services, set to take effect in the 2026-27 school year. The announcement comes while the Texas Education Agency continues to investigate complaints lodged by parents and disability advocates.

The district says the changes aim to improve how services are delivered to students with disabilities. Details of the plan include shifting resources, adjusting staffing models, and revising how individualized education programs are implemented across campuses. HISD leaders argue the current system is fragmented and fails to meet federal compliance standards.

However, the restructuring has drawn sharp criticism. Parents and advocacy groups have filed multiple complaints with the TEA, alleging that the district has not been transparent about the changes and that some students could lose access to critical support. The TEA has not released a timeline for completing its investigation.

HISD maintains that the overhaul is necessary and that feedback from families is being considered. The district also says it will provide training for staff and hold community meetings before the new model launches. For now, the restructuring moves forward even as the state probe continues.