Parents Voice Concerns Over Special Education Services
Parents in Denton Independent School District (Denton ISD) are raising serious concerns about how their children receiving special education services are being treated. Alleging that their children’s federally protected rights are being violated, they are calling for federal intervention and a Texas Education Agency (TEA) audit to address the issues. One parent, Tanya East, expressed concern over the treatment of her 4-year-old son, who has autism, at his Denton ISD school. According to East, her son faced discrimination due to inadequate staffing and uncertified special education teachers.
East reported that for much of the previous academic year, her son’s teachers were not state-certified, and insufficient staffing led to neglect. “My son has not had a certified teacher most of last year,” she said. She also shared instances where her son’s basic needs, such as diaper changes, were neglected, sometimes for hours. After meeting other parents in similar situations, East discovered a growing number of complaints regarding the district’s handling of special education services.
Allegations of Systemic Discrimination
Another parent, Sandoval, whose daughter is enrolled in Denton ISD’s special education program, echoed East’s concerns. Sandoval claimed that her daughter has not received the special education services promised in her individualized education plan (IEP). “All last year, my daughter did not have a certified special ed teacher,” she stated, pointing out that essential services, including required educational minutes, were not provided. Sandoval, like East, is worried that Denton ISD is failing to meet its legal obligations to students with disabilities, alleging that systemic discrimination is depriving disabled students of their rights.
Federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), mandate that students with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). East and Sandoval have enlisted the help of Karen Mayer Cunningham, a special education advocate, who filed complaints on their behalf with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Although the Department of Education has not confirmed the complaints, its website lists two ongoing investigations into Denton ISD related to FAPE violations.
Denton ISD Responds to Accusations
In response to the allegations, Denton ISD issued a statement to CBS News Texas denying any form of discrimination within the district. The spokesperson acknowledged the complaints but emphasized that of the 33,348 students in the district, only two complaints had been filed with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. One complaint was related to a general education student, and the other involved a Pre-K student receiving special education services. The district maintained that it had worked closely with the parents at every meeting but noted a shift in their position after hiring a consultant.
The district reaffirmed its commitment to serving all students, including those with disabilities. However, parents like East and Sandoval remain dissatisfied, feeling unheard despite multiple meetings with school officials. To further address their grievances, a press conference led by the concerned parents and Cunningham is scheduled outside Denton ISD’s Central Office. The parents hope their voices will prompt the district to take corrective action and ensure better services for their children.
