Discipline rates higher for Texas special education students

An analysis of Texas public school data shows that special education students are more likely to receive some of the harshest punishments in the classroom.

The Houston Chronicle reports that about 1 in 10 students in Texas schools in the 2016-17 school year were listed as special education. But nearly one-fifth of students who were sent to alternative schools run by local juvenile justice departments were in special education.

Texas is far from the only state that disproportionately sends its students with disabilities into the juvenile justice system. Experts say disabled students often struggle to get services the need, which can lead to outbursts in class.

The Texas Education Agency says the state is aware of disproportionate rates of punishment for special education students and is working on the issue.