How Texas Changed Special Education Funding for 2026-2027
A plain-English look at the shift toward funding based on the intensity of services students receive.
Quick answer
Texas is moving special education funding toward service-intensity groups intended to reflect the supports in a student’s individualized program. The change begins in the 2026-2027 school year, with implementation guidance continuing to develop.
What changed or what the rule says
House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 568 revised the funding structure. Rather than centering funding primarily on instructional arrangement or location, the new model considers specially designed instruction and related supports across service-intensity groups.
Why this matters to Katy ISD
Katy ISD will need accurate service documentation, trained staff, reliable Public Education Information Management System reporting, and careful monitoring of whether funding follows actual student needs.
What I would watch as a trustee
I am cautiously positive about funding that better reflects student needs. I would focus on implementation accuracy, staffing, service delivery, and whether added dollars reach the supports described in students’ plans.
What this does not mean
A funding formula change does not itself guarantee better services. Implementation, staffing, documentation, and accountability determine what students experience.