Lawmakers often face pressure to reduce spending, often in combination with tax cuts. Education-specific cuts should never come at the expense of students' learning opportunities or resources. Still, recent budget cuts in Texas show that the neediest students sometimes get a raw deal.

After a federal audit into Medicaid reimbursements for special ed students in Texas (and a years-long appeal related to revoked funding), school districts in the Lone Star State will go without $300 million in expected disbursements. While the impact of these cuts remains to be seen, students in these (and other) districts must receive the attention, learning experience, and resources they deserve.

Call the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online about securing reasonable accommodations for your student in Texas

The Cost of Special Education Is Rising

Multiple school districts in Texas will face the reality of being without several millions of dollars that would have gone toward special education. This development is particularly concerning because the demands of educating students with disabilities are growing more costly by the year.

Diagnoses of autism, dyslexia, and other disabilities are increasingly common, and educators face an increasingly complex array of learning needs. More students with disabilities place a more significant financial burden on schools that provide special education, making budget cuts even more consequential than they would otherwise be.

Special Education Is a Guaranteed Right

No budget reduction changes the fact that students in the United States are entitled to:

• A Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• A learning environment free of restrictions and limitations
• Reasonable accommodations that will improve your student's behavioral and learning outcomes

The phrase "reasonable accommodations" is important, as there is some subjectivity to the term "reasonable." Each student has different conditions and symptoms and, therefore, requires a unique array of accommodations.

Budget Cuts Are Inevitable, But Should Not Diminish Your Student's Education

Guardians and students may be concerned with budget cuts for special education. However, your more pressing concern should be that your student continues to receive the accommodations they need, regardless of broader funding conditions.

An attorney from the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team will partner with you to ensure your student receives the education and care they deserve. Steps we can take on your student's behalf include:

• Ensuring your student's school has clear, detailed documentation of your student's disabilities
• Updating your student's individualized education plan (IEP), which details their unique conditions, symptoms, learning styles, and accommodations
• Working cooperatively with school officials to ensure your student receives the accommodations they are entitled to
• Taking legal action (if necessary) should the school refuse to provide the resources your student needs

Even when schools' financial resources are reduced, there is still sufficient funding to provide high-quality special education to every student. There is no excuse for depriving any student of a personalized, compassionate, and enriching educational experience.

Call the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team to Protect Your Student's Rights

If you see any sign that a school is not providing the type of education, treatment, or services your student needs, we will take immediate action to rectify the problem.

Call the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online to discuss how we can assist you and your student.