Feds say Texas meets special education standards

The Austin American-Statesman reported (June 23) that after years of noncompliance, the TEA has fulfilled all its needed requirements to comply with federal law regarding special education, according to a letter from the U.S. Department of Education.

The letter, issued Wednesday, June 21, and addressed to education commissioner Mike Morath, said the Education Department’s Special Education Program’s office decided to remove the special conditions it had placed on the state agency after it completed its requirements to meet federal standards.

“TEA will continue to work with families, advocates and school leaders to improve services and refine processes to ensure that students with disabilities attending Texas public schools receive the highest quality education possible,” the TEA said in a statement, calling its accomplishment a “milestone.”