Education
BY EMILY LINCKE
Houston ISD to limit special education classes under new model in 2026 27
school year. The new programs will reorganize classrooms for about 5,000 students who were enrolled in self-contained special education programs, which pro- vide learning settings for students who need more support. However, the programs are not o ered at all HISD campuses, and some programs will be moving to new campuses. Reach out HISD has set up a call line for families in special education who are impacted by the changes planned for the 2026-27 school year. Parents can call 713-556-7042 with questions.
Houston ISD will be implement- ing a new approach to special education in the 2026-27 school year that district leaders say will better student and teacher experi- ences through reduced class sizes, narrowed age groups for classes and improved adult-to-student ratios. However, during a May 14 board of managers meeting, some par- ents expressed concern that the changes could be a detriment to special education students’ learn- ing and emotional well-being. What’s happening? HISD’s revamped Special Education Success Programs are slated to roll out in the 2026-27
NOW OPEN New Model Park in Prairieland Village
Classroom changes Houston ISD’s self-contained special education classes will feature key changes in the 2026-27 school year such as: 15 students per class at maximum
Tour 18 new model homes in a variety of sizes and designs, with pricing starting from the $300s.
65% of HISD self-contained special education classes contained students in three or more di erent grade levels in the 2025-26 school year
5 students per adult at maximum
2 grade levels or less for 95% of classes
SOURCE: HOUSTON ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Learn more at Bridgeland.com
Houston ISD’s board of managers opted to request an exemption May 14 to a new state law requiring three-point seat belts on school buses that would cost the district about $29.1 million to comply with. Current situation Senate Bill 546 requires public HISD to opt out of new school bus seat belt law
school districts to add three-point seat belts to all school buses by Sept. 1, 2029. HISD currently has about 773 buses, with about 64% of them in compliance with SB 546, according to a May 14 presentation. That leaves about 278 buses that would either need to be retro tted or replaced. Trustees unanimously voted to le a petition with the state stating that the district can’t a ord to meet the seat belt requirements by the deadline.
Homes within Bridgeland are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with Howard Hughes Communities (HHC) or any of its affiliates, companies, or partnerships. Neither HHC nor any of its affiliated companies or partnerships guarantees or warrants the obligations of, or construction by, such builders. Prices and specifications subject to change.
14
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook