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<\/p>\nParents are voicing their concerns over proposed changes to Houston ISD’s special education programs.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON \u2014 Families and advocates gathered in Midtown Houston on Saturday for a special education resource fair, where many also voiced concerns over Houston ISD\u2019s proposed special education changes that are now under federal investigation.<\/p>\n
The event was held at Houston City College\u2019s Central Campus and hosted alongside Partners Resource Network, a Texas-based nonprofit that helps families navigate special education services and support systems.<\/p>\n
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The gathering came one day after the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s Office for Civil Rights announced it is investigating whether HISD\u2019s proposed changes could discriminate against students with disabilities.<\/p>\n
Among those attending was Elizabeth Ortega, a former HISD parent whose son is on the autism spectrum. Ortega said her family eventually transferred out of the district because she felt there was a lack of special education support.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of what special education is supposed to do is give our kids that have a disability access to the general education curriculum to close that gap of where our kids are and where they need to be,\u201d Ortega said.<\/p>\n
Ortega said she worries the district\u2019s proposed changes could move students further away from inclusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s like we’re looking at segregation instead of inclusion,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The federal investigation centers on concerns that some students in self-contained special education classrooms could be reassigned to different campuses next school year.<\/p>\n
Jane Friou, an HISD parent and special education advocate, said families are frustrated by what they describe as broad changes impacting vulnerable students.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpecial education really has to be individualized for each student, so when you make these blanket changes and send parents with notes home, that isn’t how special education is done,\u201d Friou said.<\/p>\n
HISD has said most special education students would not be affected by the proposed changes and that the adjustments are intended to create smaller class sizes and more personalized instruction.<\/p>\n
Friou said many parents disagree with the district\u2019s reasoning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact a kid would have to move to get something different is harmful and isn’t best practice and isn’t based on any research or case study,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Now, with the federal government stepping in, some parents say they finally feel their concerns are being taken seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the federal government backing up your concerns certainly empowers a lot of people to keep fighting,\u201d Friou said.<\/p>\n