(Article by Sara Musgrove)

“The most important issues in special education today center on access, capacity, and outcomes; students deserve meaningful access to grade-level curriculum, appropriate interventions, and individualized supports that prepare them for long-term success,” said Rebecca Faulkner, the Brownwood Independent School District (BISD) Director of Special Populations. Faulkner was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee (SECAC) on April 2nd, 2026. The SECAC provides policy guidance on special education and related services for children with disabilities in Texas. Faulkner was appointed with five others to serve until February 2029. “The Committee plays a critical role in ensuring that special education policy in Texas remains both student-centered and responsive to the evolving needs of schools and families,” Faulkner said. “Its work helps bridge the gap between policy and practice by bringing together professionals from across the state to provide informed recommendations to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Strong policy must be grounded in real-world experience. The Committee provides a structured opportunity to elevate concerns related to access, compliance, staffing, service delivery, and student outcomes while also helping shape practical solutions.” Faulkner has been working with BISD staff and students to increase their classroom experience.

Faulker received a Bachelor of Social Work from Tarleton State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas Permian Basin. She is also a member of the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education and the Texas Association of School Administrators. A large part of her work at BISD revolves around ensuring that Special Populations students receive quality instruction, individualized communication, and feel included, while providing staff with tools and skills required to meet the needs of these students. “BISD has worked intentionally to build systems that prioritize both student needs and staff support,” Faulkner said. “One of the district’s strengths is our commitment to collaborative problem-solving and individualized student support. Our teams work hard to ensure students receive services that are responsive, data-driven, and tailored to their unique needs. We have also made meaningful progress in strengthening inclusive practices and building stronger collaboration between general education and special education staff. That partnership is essential to ensuring students with disabilities have access to rigorous instruction and meaningful participation in the school environment.” Her years at BISD have provided intentional improvements for all involved in the department.

Hired in 2022, Faulkner uses over twenty years of special education experience in classroom and leadership positions to coordinate student needs. She has also worked at Aledo ISD (6,700 students) as an elementary assistant principal, and has fulfilled the roles of Resource Specialist, ARD Facilitator, and Special Education Coordinator for Clear Creek ISD (40,000 students). “This appointment is a testament to Ms. Faulkner’s deep expertise in special education and her unwavering commitment to students with disabilities,” said BISD Superintendent Dr. Joe Young. “Brownwood ISD is fortunate to have her leading our special populations team, and Texas is fortunate to have her voice on this committee. We thank Governor Abbott for this well-deserved appointment.”

The SECAC is a statewide advisory body established under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide guidance to the TEA on matters related to special education and services for students with disabilities. The Committee advises TEA on policy development, identifies unmet needs across the state, reviews proposed rules and regulations, and ensures that the voices of families, educators, and stakeholders are reflected in decisions impacting students with disabilities. Members of the Committee are appointed by the Governor of Texas and represent a broad range of stakeholders, including parents, educators, administrators, and individuals with disabilities. “I was nominated by members of our Education Service Center/ Region 15 and completed the rigorous application and interview process, and was ultimately selected to serve on this committee in my role as a special education leader, representing the perspective of public school systems and the practical realities of implementing special education services at the district level,” Faulkner said. “I believe the Committee will be especially valuable in strengthening collaboration between families, schools, and state leadership so that policy decisions translate into meaningful supports for students.” Faulkner’s time spent with students in the classrooms of local schools will only assist her work as she helps students across the state. “Rebecca has spent her career making sure every child gets what they need to succeed,” Young said. “Now she’ll help do that for kids across Texas. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Because Faulkner has worked with students in both small school districts and large, she has a unique perspective of how to meet needs for both students and teachers in special populations. “Rural districts often face unique challenges related to staffing, access to specialized services, and resource availability, and it is important that those perspectives are represented in statewide conversations,” Faulkner said. “This appointment is an opportunity to advocate not only for our students in Brownwood, but for students with disabilities across Texas. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to policy discussions that can strengthen services, improve systems, and expand opportunities for students and families statewide. At the local level, my role remains centered on ensuring students receive the support they need to be successful, while building systems that are sustainable, collaborative, and focused on student growth. Serving on this Committee allows me to extend that work beyond our district and contribute to broader efforts that support students across Texas.”

View the release from the Office of the Governor:
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-appoints-six-to-special-education-continuing-advisory-committee