Houston, TX, July 25, 2026 —

Houston Independent School District (HISD) is engaging in a new process to amend the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for special education students. The district has begun contacting parents to make these amendments over the phone, a departure from the customary in-person meetings.

This procedural shift is connected to a larger district initiative to relocate approximately 5,000 students within the special education system. These students are slated to move to new “Special Education Specialty Schools” for the forthcoming school year. The timeline for this transition and the specific number of schools involved were not detailed.

The method of amending IEPs remotely has drawn criticism from various stakeholders. Concerns have been raised that this telephone-based approach may contravene federal laws governing special education services. Furthermore, reports indicate that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has previously communicated to HISD that this particular method of amending IEPs is considered erroneous.

The exact nature of the alleged federal law violations and the specific guidance provided by the TEA were not elaborated upon in the available information. Details regarding the exact date the phone amendments began, or if any specific schools are being targeted first for these calls, were not provided. The district’s stated rationale for moving students to specialty schools was also not made available.

Parents of special education students are advised to review any communication from HISD regarding their child’s IEP and to be aware of their rights regarding the development and amendment of these crucial educational plans. Further information on the district’s plan and the TEA’s position is anticipated.



Story summarized from the original created by Margaret Downing on www.houstonpress.com, see more information here.

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