Special education update: Castleberry ISD prepares for TEA cyclical review
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Summary
The district reported a Determination Level 2 driven by special‑education STAAR approach scores, described audits and corrective measures ahead of a TEA cyclical review next fall, and outlined instructional coaching and case‑management work to improve outcomes.
Christy Patton, executive director of special programs, told the board that special education is a district priority and summarized instructional and compliance steps the district is taking before a Texas Education Agency cyclical review scheduled for next fall.
Patton said the district’s Determination Level 2 stems largely from STAAR SPED "approaches" results across several grades and subjects, and she outlined strategies to raise those numbers including co‑teaching, targeted content coaching and increased case‑management support. She described internal audit work on IEP quality, PLAAFPs and goals, and said the district will submit 16 random folders per campus for TEA review as required by the cyclical audit process.
On compliance, Patton described a shift from post‑ARD audits to proactive case‑manager reviews before ARD meetings, and said the district has an internal audit checklist modeled on the TEA template. She said the district will use targeted email templates and corrective‑action workflows to address recurring patterns of noncompliance.
Patton also highlighted program successes: 21 students exited special education (about 2.9%), expanded Special Olympics participation and a local field study with TEA on a new statewide performance diagnostic. She reported 21 staff expressed interest in special‑education certification support, 12 were trained internally and nine passed certification requirements so far.
Why it matters: A Determination Level 2 prompts heightened monitoring; trustees were told the district is working to address the specific performance indicators that produced the rating and to shore up paperwork and instructional practices ahead of the TEA audit.
What’s next: Administrators will continue audits, provide targeted coaching and return with evidence of corrected patterns before the cyclical review.