TCASE

Moderator: Krista Garcia, TCASE Services by Design; Katie Abbott, Anderson County Special Education Co-op; Kami Finger, PhD, Lubbock ISD; Lorin Furlow, Brazosport ISD; and Amy Strauch, ESC Region 20

The ground is shifting under special education in Texas! Thanks to this panel for a thoughtful conversation about preparing for the many changes happening now and in coming months. #tcasegreatideas2026

Senator Menendez agreed, saying we need to get back to the basics with education policy. "Who is clamoring for us to put the Ten Commandments in the classroom?" #tcasegreatideas2026

Chairman Buckley, in talking about the next legislative session, said he would like to have a session where the focus in simply solving problems. "Can we just at some point take the politics out of the schoolhouse?" #tcasegreatideas2026

Senator Menendez asked educators and families to share stories of students whose lives have been changed through special education services to advocate for more funding #tcasegreatideas2026

Chairman Buckley said he wants to work next session on efficiency and on allotting more money for special education funding formulas #tcasegreatideas2026

Dr. Chevalier said that with the small likelihood of more special education funding in the next session, we hope for a focus on efficiency - looking for requirements that are time consuming but not necessary for quality programs. #tcasegreatideas2026

Senator Menendez, acknowledging most lawmakers are not educators, asked that educators report to lawmakers about unintended consequences of these bills. #tcasegreatideas2026

Chairman Buckley: The theme of the interim is to hear from the implementers of these bills. #tcasegreatideas2026

Chairman Buckley: Lawmakers will need to monitor implementation of these bills affecting special education. "It is not lost on me that there is a significant change in the way we do business." #tcasegreatideas2026

We are so grateful for this morning’s panelists, @BradBuckleyDVM, @Menendez4Texas and @and_chevalier and our moderator @Kate_Kuhlmann. Give them a follow! #tcasegreatideas2026

We start the day with a chat between our TCASE’s @and_chevalier and TEA’s Kristin McGuire on what is happening and what is coming with Texas special education. #tcasegreatideas2026

#tcasegreatideas2026 co-chairs Dr. Jennifer Warren, Bryan ISD, and Henry Phipps, Humble ISD, thank their planning committee and address the crowd about what to expect this week

TCASE President Joe Hinojosa welcomes 988 attendees to #tcasegreatideas2026 with a heartfelt speech on being #strongertogether with changes ahead for special education leaders #tcaseproud

We love you, "wristbandman" 😂#tcasegreatideas2026

TX schools received guidance today on their role in the ESA program (special education evaluations). Worth noting - though the ESA may be up to $30,000 for students w/ special needs, any private school that $ goes to does not have to use it for special ed services. #txlege

msn.com/en-us/news/us/… #txed

What a fantastic day of learning! Our SpEd Finance Bootcamp with Cindy Moses was a huge success! SpEd Directors and LEA Business Managers dove into the essentials of special education funding. Thank you to everyone who joined us for Part I of this hands-on, empowering workshop!

usatoday.com/story/news/edu… #txed

New: Judge temporarily blocks Texas’ Ten Commandments requirement in 11 school districts bit.ly/4mMVlz7