Copperas Cove ISD trains diagnosticians, reduces contractor reliance

Copperas Cove Independent School District rolled out a formal mentorship program for educational diagnosticians that pairs new hires with experienced mentors, schedules weekly meetings, and phases in responsibilities over time. District leaders said the initiative was created to confront a statewide shortage of certified diagnosticians and to reduce the expense and logistical delays associated with contracting outside evaluators.

The program is managed by the district special education office and focuses on hands on skill development, consistent supervision, and clear milestones for independent practice. Leaders report the approach helps new diagnosticians feel supported, lowers turnover, and speeds the completion of evaluations that determine eligibility and services for students with disabilities.

For local families, the practical effect is likely faster assessments which can shorten the wait for individualized education plan meetings and classroom accommodations. For the district, relying more on home grown staff can ease budget pressures that come from paying premium rates for contract evaluators and from repeated recruitment cycles. District officials also emphasized the program builds long term capacity within local schools and creates career pathways for staff already in the system.

The timing matters for broader education policy and labor market trends. Across Texas there has been persistent difficulty filling specialized special education roles, and districts that reduce contractor use can avoid year to year swings in assessment capacity. By institutionalizing mentorship through scheduled meetings and mentor assignments, Copperas Cove ISD aims to stabilize staffing, which supports consistent compliance with evaluation timelines set by federal and state special education rules.

CCISD Director Cynthia Lavallee described the strategy as embracing a grow your own type mindset and said the program is intended to produce reliable, locally trained diagnosticians who can meet student needs promptly. District leaders say they will monitor retention and evaluation turnaround times to measure success and to inform future staffing and budget decisions.