In a blow to Texas school districts, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has announced a staggering $300 million cut in special education funding, following a recent federal administrative decision. The decision, delivered in December just before winter break for most school districts, comes as the culmination of a prolonged dispute stemming from a 2017 audit conducted by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The audit specifically scrutinized the state’s billing practices under the School Health and Related Services (SHARS) program, which enables Texas school districts and charter schools to seek Medicaid reimbursement for health-related services provided to Medicaid-eligible students with disabilities. These services include crucial therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, audiology services, and more, which are essential for supporting students with disabilities in their educational journey.

However, the federal audit unearthed discrepancies in Texas’ billing practices, revealing that certain educational services were incorrectly classified as health services, leading to overbilling of the federal government. Despite HHSC’s efforts to appeal the audit findings, the appeal failed, resulting in a substantial reduction in funding for special education services across the state.

The impact of this funding cut is keenly felt by school districts statewide, with major districts like Northside ISD, Dallas ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Houston ISD, and Austin ISD facing some of the largest cuts. For instance, Northside ISD anticipates a local funding reduction of approximately $14 million, exacerbating existing budget deficits and placing additional strain on resources.

This reduction in federal funding comes at a critical juncture for special education in Texas, where Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are already grappling with chronic underfunding by the state, amounting to approximately $2 billion annually. Known as the “special education funding gap,” this disparity highlights the shortfall between state allocations and the actual costs incurred by school districts and charter schools in delivering essential special education services.

The current situation underscores the urgent need for the state to prioritize fully funding public education in Texas, especially for students with disabilities. Advocates stress the importance of directing taxpayer dollars towards supporting inclusive and equitable education for all students, rather than diverting resources to private school voucher programs. As Texas navigates these challenges, ensuring access to quality special education services remains paramount for the well-being and success of all students.

A recent survey conducted by the Texas branch of the American Federation of Teachers has unveiled a concerning trend among educators in the Lone Star State. According to the survey, a significant majority of Texas teachers are experiencing burnout, with many contemplating leaving the profession altogether.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 3,200 of the union’s 66,000 members between January 23 and February 13, revealed that three-quarters of K-12 employees reported experiencing burnout in the past year. Additionally, a staggering 69% admitted to considering quitting their jobs.

Among the primary concerns cited by public school employees were low salaries and overwhelming workloads. This comes in the wake of Texas lawmakers’ decision not to increase teacher salaries amidst debates over public subsidies for private education.

In a poignant video message shared with reporters, Tyler Reames, a social studies teacher in Dallas ISD with a decade of experience, expressed his frustration with the current state of affairs. Reames lamented the lack of responsiveness to the needs of teachers and students, emphasizing the toll it has taken on his passion for the profession.

According to the Texas AFT, educators in Texas work an average of 50 hours per week, with one-fifth of teachers holding second jobs outside of their school districts.

The survey results also shed light on the alarming attrition rate in the education sector. Over 13% of teachers left public education between fall 2021 and fall 2022, marking what Texas AFT President Zeph Capo described as a “record high” departure rate. Capo criticized state lawmakers for not allocating resources to address this issue, despite passing a historic $321 billion budget.

Patrick Cooney, a teacher in Cy-Fair ISD, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for better salaries to retain quality educators.

In addition to salary concerns, educators expressed apprehension about issues such as gun violence on campus and proposed policies like private school vouchers. Over 82% of surveyed educators voiced concerns about gun violence, while a significant majority believed that vouchers would have a detrimental impact on public schools.

Despite these challenges, legislators have yet to implement concrete solutions, with tensions within the Texas GOP hampering progress on critical issues affecting educators and students alike.