The Midway ISD Board of Trustees received an update on the district’s Special Education and Section 504 programs, highlighting continued growth, strong compliance, and expanded opportunities for students.
Enrollment in Special Education has increased to 1,441 students, now serving 16.53% of the district, while Section 504 services have grown to 1,015 students, reflecting 11.65% of enrollment. This growth reflects both increasing student needs and the district’s commitment to identifying and supporting students.
"I really feel like we have a great team and they have done a fantastic job identifying students and meeting the needs they have," Special Education Director Lisa Cochran said. "I'm happy to report the successes we've been able to continue."
Midway continues to meet all state and federal compliance requirements, earning a “Meets Requirements” rating through the state’s Results Driven Accountability system and maintaining 100% compliance across all reporting indicators.
The update also provided important insight into upcoming legislative changes that will significantly impact how special education services are funded across Texas. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, the state will transition to a new tiered funding model, supported by approximately $250 million in statewide funding.
Under this model, funding will be based on eight tiers of service intensity, along with additional service group allocations tied to student needs. However, the exact structure of these tiers and service groups has not yet been finalized by the Texas Education Agency, and districts are still awaiting detailed guidance on implementation.
This transition year will require districts to begin collecting new types of data, including more detailed tracking of student services and instructional settings, while adapting to a system that is still being developed at the state level. As a result, school systems across Texas—including Midway—are preparing for changes while navigating ongoing uncertainty.
Trustees were also informed about the impact of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program. The district has received approximately 70 requests related to TEFA, primarily from families outside the district seeking evaluations. This has increased the demand on staff for evaluations, documentation, and compliance processes.
In addition to program growth, the district continues to expand partnerships and opportunities for students. Midway is collaborating with Baylor University, Texas A&M, and Texas Woman’s University to support student services, research, and professional training. Partnerships also extend locally, with collaborative transition services for students ages 18+ in partnership with neighboring districts.
The Special Populations Department remains focused on providing a full continuum of services to meet the diverse needs of students while supporting families, staff, and the broader school community.
This work reflects Midway ISD’s commitment to ensuring every student has access, opportunity, and the support needed to succeed.
