Office of the Independent Ombudsman

Executive Summary
Introduction
Findings

Population Description

Major Topics

I. Intake, Assessment, and Accountability

II. General Education Programs

III. Impact of Disciplinary Policies on Education Entitlements

IV. Special Education

Summary
Recommendations
Specific Recommendations

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the findings from a four-month evaluation of the Texas Youth Commission education program. The purpose of this evaluation was to provide the TYC with a comprehensive picture of the education program. This report was conducted by the Office of the Independent Ombudsman with the support of the TYC leadership. We discuss the strengths of the TYC educational program, the weaknesses of the program, and provide recommendations for education programming that will result in improved service and outcomes for all students at the TYC.

While the education programs at the Texas Youth Commission Schools share common elements, they are unique programs that differ in a number of significant ways. Each of the facilities is responsible for the education of large percentages of youth with disabilities, including large percentages of youth with emotional and behavioral disorders and learning disabilities. However, the programs differ in scheduling, organizational structures, size, available programs and services, staffing, disciplinary procedures, and outcomes. The diversity of the education programs presents the agency with major challenges in understanding the educational strengths and limitations within and across the facilities and in developing and implementing policies and practices to transform TYC education.

The report is organized by four major topics:

I. Intake, Assessment, and Educational Accountability

We found problems with the evaluation and administration of the educational assessment for intake as well as the standards used to measure educational accountability. Additionally, we found problems with the outcome measures and the reporting of outcome measures.

II. General Education Programs

We found the data management systems to be extensive, and comprehensive. We also found the data management personnel to possess expertise in data management generally. We found that data from the various components of the TYC program were not well integrated. Additionally, data were not used to make systemic educational decisions at the facility level.

We found the overall structure of the programs at TYC facilities to vary greatly across facilities, which negatively impact the quality of educational programming. We also found that correctional programming, treatment programming, and security programming interfered with the education programs across the facilities.

The TYC Education does not maintain complete authority over the seven-hour school day. Treatment programs and ACA required large-muscle activities are scheduled into the school day. Additionally TYC has two policies dealing with the length of the school day that use different language and are interpreted differently by facility administrators. Education’s lack of direct authority over the school day limit’s Education’s ability to provide quality individualized education programming to improve outcomes for TYC students.

We found classes that were typically organized based on correctional needs, which resulted in classrooms with students of different ages, different academic abilities, and in different courses. The scheduling practices negatively impact the educational program and limit instructional opportunities. We found the instructional practices to be generally poor. We found inconsistent curricula across facilities, and sometimes within a facility.

We found the quality and dedication of the educational staff to be generally positive. We found the school personnel to be a primary strength of the TYC education programs.

The vocational programs were very strong, but availability and access to vocational programs varied across facilities, creating inequities for many youth. We also found few technology-based vocational programs.

III. Impact of Disciplinary Policies on Education Entitlements

Disciplinary policies and security placements negatively impact educational opportunities and the quality of education, special education, and related services. Students were regularly denied educational access and entitlements, and the educational programming in security settings was inadequate.

Disciplinary policies have a disproportionate negative impact on minority students and students with disabilities.

IV. Special Education

There were numerous problems with special education programming, and substantial evidence that the TYC did not provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Problems included: inadequate Child Find procedures; inadequate services and instructional arrangements; and Individualized Education Programs (IEP) based upon institutional capacity rather than student needs. Related services were lacking, and transitional plans were generic and inadequate. Generally, a majority of special education students did not receive special education services in accordance with the IDEA. The availability and quality of special education services varied greatly across the facilities. The school diagnosticians and special education teachers were generally experienced, but there were inadequate numbers of special education personnel to meet student needs. There were inadequate functional behavioral assessments, behavioral intervention plans, or evidence-based reading programs for students with disabilities.

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