Dec 14, 2023, Carrollton Leader, Plano, TX: CFBISD sees increase in need for special services, dyslexia policy to be updated in January https://starlocalmedia.com/carrolltonleader/news/cfbisd-sees-increase-in-need-for-special-services-dyslexia-policy-to-be-updated-in-january/article_6ab6def6-9876-11ee-9e1e-a3c8d648ae4b.html
During a Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District board meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services Sara Roland gave an update on the district’s special education department.
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD’s Special Services Department serves students with special needs by prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity. The department has 4,254 students that fall under its programs, 276 special education teachers, 265 teacher assistants, 40 dyslexia interventionists, 134 support service specialists, and 68 evaluation specialists.
This year is the first year that special education and 504 service management falls within the same department. Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based upon disability. Section 504 is an anti-discrimination, civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of the non-disabled are met.
“There has been an increase in the percentage of students served in the special education service and a small decrease in the number of students served with 504 services, which is likely due to the legislative changes in how students with dyslexia are served,” Roland said.
During the 2021-2022 academic year, 14.1% of students enrolled in CFBISD were using the special services department’s special education resources, compared to 15.6% during the 2022-2023 academic year, and 17.2% during the 2023-2024 academic year. Additionally, 4.1% of students enrolled in CFBISD during the 2021-2022 academic year were using the 504 services offered by the special services department, compared to 4% during the 2022-2023 academic year, and 3.7% in the 2023-2024 academic year, according to enrollment data shared during the Dec. 7 meeting.
The Special Services Department’s dyslexia program has 60% of all CFBISD elementary students enrolled, compared to a 21% middle school student enrollment, and a 19% high school student enrollment.
During this past legislative session, there were some changes to House Bill 3928, and Roland said she expects to implement some changes within the special education department as the school year progresses.
Some changes include:
If a student is suspected of having dyslexia, a full individual initial evaluation must be completed.
A dyslexia “specialist” is now a required member of a multidisciplinary team
Any evidence-based dyslexia instruction is now considered a special education service
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