A Texas Two-Step in the Right Direction—Looking Beyond Recent Legislation to Improve the Provision of Special Education Services in Texas

Authors

Taylor Michals, Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of LawFollow

Abstract

This article analyzes the current state of the special education system in Texas following the 85th Legislative Session, focusing on the practical and legal implications of the limitation imposed by the Texas Education Agency in 2004 before analyzing Senate Bill 160, which requires Texas to remove the limitation on special education services, and its future impact on special education in Texas. Additionally, this article addresses Senate Bill 927, which outlined a plan to ensure that students who were previously denied services receive an adequate evaluation, why the legislation failed, and potential remedies for students who have been negatively impacted by the limitation over the years. Following this discussion, policy recommendations on how to further improve the current state of special education in Texas are proposed.

Recommended Citation

Taylor Michals, A Texas Two-Step in the Right Direction—Looking Beyond Recent Legislation to Improve the Provision of Special Education Services in Texas, 71 SMU L. Rev. 1181 (2018)