Cassi and Randy Baden mentioned their 5-year-old son, Ezra, has solely been receiving help from paraprofessionals as a substitute of an authorized particular schooling trainer.
KATY, Texas — A Katy ISD household is talking out after claiming their son, a particular schooling scholar, has not been receiving the suitable academic assist required by regulation.
Cassi and Randy Baden have filed a grievance with the Texas Schooling Company (TEA). They’re accusing the district of failing to supply the companies their 5-year-old son, Ezra, is entitled to underneath his Individualized Schooling Plan (IEP).
“There’s simply no excuse, completely no excuse. We’re simply asking for what we really feel is truthful, a free and acceptable schooling for our son,” Cassi mentioned.
Cassi and Randy mentioned Ezra has solely been receiving help from paraprofessionals as a substitute of an authorized particular schooling trainer, which his dad and mom and an advocate argue is a violation of the state’s particular schooling rules.
Particular schooling advocate Karen Mayer Cunningham mentioned paraprofessionals should not permitted to deal with IEP-related duties with out direct supervision from an authorized trainer.
“What Katy ISD is doing is that they’re placing paraprofessionals of their room for particular schooling minutes. This district has gone to a blatant coverage of deciding who they’re going to place within the room,” Cunningham mentioned.
Cunningham filed the formal grievance with the TEA on behalf of the Badens. She mentioned the district has did not make any adjustments regardless of discussions with faculty officers.
Randy mentioned Ezra has solely seen a particular educator 4 instances and was denied further assist when requested.
The Badens hope their formal grievance will immediate the TEA to take motion.
“We would like him to have the ability to achieve success locally, and for him to have the ability to do this, we have to guarantee that there are acceptable educators within the classroom with him,” Cassi mentioned.
As of now, Katy ISD has not responded to requests for remark. The Texas Schooling Company has confirmed that an investigation is underway.
