Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Thanks the Department Of Education for Engaging Texas On Admittance Of Special Education Students

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON DC In response to a Houston Chronicle comprehensive investigation and expos Denied: How Texas Keeps Tens Of  Thousands Of Children Out Of Special Education published September 11 2016 I requested the U. S. Department of Education to review the State of Texas policies for admitting students with disabilities and needing special education.

I am happy to see an expeditious response and review from the U. S. Department of Education on my request to examine the Houston Chronicle investigation into special education students being denied admittance to Texas schools" stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee I want to thank Secretary John King and his team for their expeditious response and review of my request and for ordering Texas state officials to eliminate an 8.5 percent benchmark on special education enrollment enforced in the states 1200 school districts unless they can show that it has not kept children with disabilities from receiving appropriate educational services" stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Approximately 13 of school children across the nation receive the special education benefits guaranteed by the IDEA Act. Passed in 1990 the IDEA Act provides federal funding and guarantees children with special needs a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). In the State of Texas however the comparable figure is 8.5 by far the lowest of any state in the nation. The real-world consequence of Texass deplorable record of serving special needs children is that vital supports to children with autism attention deficit hyperactivity disorder dyslexia epilepsy mental illnesses speech impediments traumatic brain injuries even blindness and deafness are being denied to approximately 250000 children. Congresswoman Jackson Lee further stated All of our kids deserve the same opportunities at a good quality education and kids with disabilities deserve no less.  Public education cannot cherry pick students based on their physical or mental abilities.  Texas must do better and correct this horrible denial of equal access.  I look forward to their corrective action plan."