The Arc of Texas Holds Capitol Press Conference, Leads Call For Legislature to Make a Bold Investment in Special Education 

On March 19, we held a press conference (see media advisory) with parents, educators, students, and disability advocates at the Texas Capitol to urge state lawmakers to greatly increase state investment for special education funding. Watch the press conference recording.

Texas currently underfunds special education by $1.7 billion per year, putting immense financial strain on schools as they strive to serve all students to the best of their ability. Many districts are forced to divert general education funds to cover special education costs. Advocates called for the Texas Legislature to act with courage and commitment by fully funding special education services, starting with closing the $1.7 billion annual state funding shortfall.
 

World Down Syndrome Day

The Arc of Texas was proud to align our press conference with World Down Syndrome Day, a global day of advocacy aimed at raising awareness about Down syndrome and promoting the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down syndrome. We stand with Texans with Down syndrome and their families, highlighting their achievements, the importance of inclusive education, and the need for greater access to healthcare, employment, and other critical services.
 

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Our Recent Testimony

School Discipline: House Bill 6

• WATCH our testimony (starts at 8:36:16).
• READ our testimony.

On March 18, our Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, testified before the House Committee on Public Education on House Bill 6 (HB 6), filed by Representative Jeff Leach. Referred to as the "Teachers' Bill of Rights," HB 6 aims to give school districts more local control over student discipline policies. We are concerned about the unintended consequences of this bill for students with disabilities because it replaces clear definitions of violent offenses with vague language, and without defining “repeated or significant disruption,” it could lead to increased punitive discipline. Additionally, removing limits on in-school suspension placements may result in extended segregation without addressing underlying behaviors, further isolating students with disabilities and limiting their access to education.
 

Private School Vouchers: House Bill 3

• WATCH our testimony (starts at 11:48:12).
• READ our testimony.

On March 11, our Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, testified before the House Committee on Public Education on House Bill 3 (HB 3), filed by Representative Brad Buckley, which proposes the creation of an Education Savings Account (ESA) program allowing public funds to be used for private school tuition and expenses. With nearly 300 witnesses registered, Sabrina waited until 3:30 a.m. to testify. She emphasized concerns including the fact that private schools receiving ESA funds may not be required to comply with federal disability protections such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Without these protections, students with disabilities may face discrimination and lack necessary supports in private school settings. Additionally, families may not receive clear information about how enrolling in private school would affect their child's educational rights.
 

Special Education Funding Reform: Senate Bill 568

• WATCH our testimony (starts at 2:05:07).
• READ our testimony.

On March 11, our Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo,  testified before the Senate Committee on Education K-16 on Senate Bill 568 (SB 568), filed by Senator Paul Bettencourt. SB 568 incorporates many recommendations from the Special Education Funding Commission’s report to the 88th Legislature and would fundamentally transform how Texas funds special education by adopting a service intensity-based model that accounts for the true cost of educating students with disabilities based on the individualized supports received. Sabrina shared enthusiastic support for updating the special education funding formula, and urged the legislature to significantly increase special education funding in the next two-year budget. Currently, school districts spend $1.7 billion more on special education than they receive in state funding. The Arc of Texas supports closing this funding gap. While we support the much-needed reform to funding, we also raised concerns about provisions in SB 568 that would require school personnel to inform families about State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs). The Arc of Texas provided feedback to the bill author noting that the language is inappropriate given that SSLCs are the most restrictive and costly residential option for people with disabilities, and parents would not be required to receive information about less restrictive community-based supports. Senate Bill 568 and The Arc of Texas’ testimony was featured in the Austin American Statesman and The Texas Tribune. 
 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities in Emergency Drills: Senate Bill 57

• WATCH our testimony (starts at 11:28).
• READ our testimony.

On March 11, our Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, testified before the Senate Committee on Education K-16 on Senate Bill 57 (SB 57), filed by Senator Judith Zaffirini, which would improve student safety by ensuring that emergency drill accommodations are identified and recorded in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Arc of Texas supports this bill as a necessary step toward making school emergency procedures accessible and inclusive for all students. The bill was unanimously voted favorably out of committee.

Federal Activities Impacting Texans

Federal Court Rules Texas Senate Bill 1 Violates Rights of Voters with Disabilities Under ADA and Section 504

In a major victory for disability rights, a federal court has ruled that Texas Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by imposing significant barriers to voting for people with disabilities. The ruling, issued by Judge Xavier Rodriguez of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, declares that several provisions of SB 1 disenfranchise disabled voters, reinforcing that the state’s “know-nothing-do-nothing” approach to ADA compliance in elections is unlawful. [...] “This decision not only validates the inequitable barriers faced by Texans with disabilities when voting—it puts a stake in the ground that nothing short of true, meaningful voting accessibility is acceptable under the law,” said Jennifer Martinez, CEO of The Arc of Texas. “This ruling recognizes the powerful testimony from our members who bravely shared their experiences in court. Their voices changed history.” Read the full release.

Dismantling U.S. Department of Education Reverses Decades of Progress for Students with Disabilities

From The Arc of the U.S.: "Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education is more than a policy shift—it will reverse five decades of progress for students with disabilities. While the right to a free appropriate public education for children with disabilities will remain under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, states will struggle to deliver on its promise without federal technical assistance, oversight, and enforcement. Children with disabilities who do not receive appropriate education services will face greater isolation, unemployment, and poverty. We cannot afford to undo the hard-won gains of the past—we must protect the future of every student, because the strength of our society depends on it." The Arc of Texas is concerned with this announcement's impacts on the enforcement of special education law and will continue to monitor the situation.