Austin ISD leaders provide update on special education [Video]

AUSTIN, Texas — In a press conference Thursday, Austin ISD leaders said they are making strides in fixing issues within the district’s special education department, a program that some employees previously called a “toxic work environment.” 

It comes more than a year after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) ordered the school district to address a backlog of evaluations that kept some students waiting months to enter the special education program. 

Lisa Flores has a son who was evaluated for special education. 

“The backlog made it so that all evaluations were really rushed,” Flores said. “Honestly, the evaluation left a lot to be desired. It wasn’t in all areas of suspected disability. It wasn’t comprehensive.”

Austin ISD Superintendent Dr. Matias Segura said a lack of staff and data management systems contributed to the backlog. He said the district has hired more help and is moving to a …