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RestoreTech tells TEA it will provide SPED, bilingual and childcare supports; SPED director will also teach in year one
Summary
RestoreTech told TEA that a full-time special education director will begin in year one (initially serving as both director and teacher), bilingual learners will be assessed with adult-appropriate tools (CASAS), and limited short-term childcare vouchers will be provided through partners including United Way and Workforce Solutions Alamo.
During the capacity interview TEA asked how RestoreTech would serve students with special needs, emerging bilingual learners and parents needing childcare.
Special education: TEA's Scarlet asked why the application included exit options from special education as part of a modified curriculum. Applicant leaders said students would only be exited from services through a properly constituted ARD process when goals are met and emphasized layered supports (integrated skills lab, accommodations, CAL coaches) to help students meet IEP goals. Carrie Rhodes said the special education director will be hired in year one and will, at the start, "function as a teacher as well" to ensure ARD committees are properly constituted and progress monitoring occurs.
Emerging bilingual students: Dr. Rocha asked about assessment tools and LPAC leadership for an estimated 12% emergent bilingual population. Applicants said adult ESL testing will follow state/federal adult-assessment policy and use CASAS for baseline and progress monitoring, and that academic leadership (academic and workforce dean, superintendent or designee) will staff LPAC roles as needed.
Childcare and wraparound supports: TEA asked about limited short-term childcare at the proposed East Houston site. Rhodes said RestoreTech will prioritize vouchers and partnerships (United Way-backed services and Workforce Solutions Alamo referrals), provide a limited drop-in option via a partner Head Start-like provider and supply vouchers for prioritized ZIP codes so lack of childcare does not prevent attendance.
What happens next: TEA closed the interview and will notify applicants of the commissioner's proposal; applicants said they will continue to refine hiring and supports during the planning window if approved.
