Helping Families Navigate Special Education in Texas

Explore special education resources to help your family understand your child's disability, navigate your rights under IDEA, and collaborate with schools to support special education services.

How can we help you today?

I think my child might need special education services

Learn how to request an evaluation and the evaluation process for special education

I'm new to special education

Learn about IDEA, Texas laws, and your child's rights.

Understanding my child's IEP

Learn about IEP requirements and how to prepare for an ARD Committee Meeting.

Options if I disagree with the ARD Committee

Learn more about the available state and federal dispute resolution options.

Explore Resource by Topic

Featured

ARD Committee Meetings

Behavior/Discipline

Consent to Evaluate

Determine Eligibility

Develop the IEP

Dispute Resolution

Dyslexia and Dysgraphia

Evaluation

Graduation

Implement the IEP

New to Texas

New to Special Education

Requesting an Evaluation

Transition

Understanding Parent Rights

Additional Resources

Understanding Parent Rights, New to Special Education

Notice of Procedural Safeguards

Explains legal rights and protections for parents and students with disabilities under IDEA during the special education process.

Understanding Parent Rights, New to Special Education

Surrogate Parent Training

Training for surrogate and foster parents on their role in special education, focusing on IDEA rights, responsibilities, and advocacy.

New to Special Education, Understanding Parent Rights

Section 504 Fact Sheet

A TEA fact sheet on Section 504 rights, eligibility, and plan protections for Texas students with disabilities.

Understanding Parent Rights

A Parent's Guide to Using AI for Advocacy

Learn how AI can help you support your child, protect their privacy, and feel more confident working with their school team.

Understanding Parent Rights

Making the Most of Your PDSES Award: A Guide to the ClassWallet Marketplace

Upcoming Webinar: Making the Most of Your PDSES Award - A Guide to the ClassWallet Marketplace

Understanding Parent Rights, New to Special Education

5 Steps to Becoming Your Child's Best Advocate

Shares five practical steps to help parents effectively advocate for their child through emotional awareness, knowledge, and collaboration.

New to Special Education, New to Texas, Transition, Understanding Parent Rights

Navigate Life Texas

Navigate Life Texas offers resources and support for families of children with disabilities, covering health, education, finances, and more.

New to Special Education, Understanding Parent Rights

Beyond ECI: Next Steps for Your Child

Guidance for families transitioning from Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) to preschool services and community supports.

Explore Resources by Disability

Popular

All Disability Areas

Autism (AU)

Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH)

Deafblind (DB)

Developmental Delay (DD)

Emotional Disability (ED)

Intellectual Disability (ID)

Orthopedic Impairment (OI)

Other Health Impairment (OHI)

Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

Speech or Language Impairment (SI)

Visual Impairment (VI)

New to Special Education

Center for Parent Information and Resources: Deaf-Blindness

Parent Center Hub offers resources for families of children who are deaf-blind, including education, early intervention, and advocacy support.

A preschool teacher sits on the floor of her classroom with a small group of students as she reads them a book. The children are each dressed casually and are focused on the story.

New to Special Education, New to Texas, Requesting an Evaluation

Texas Early Childhood Intervention Services

Offers information on services for children under 3 with delays/disabilities, including eligibility, referrals, and local program access.

ARD Committee Meetings

Participating in Virtual Meetings - Virtual IEP Meeting Tips for Parents

Helpful guide with tips to plan, join, and engage in virtual IEP and school meetings—stay prepared, connected, and confident online.

Evaluation, New to Special Education

Evaluation Procedures

Parent Guide to Special Education: Rights, Evaluation Process, and Available Supports for Students with Disabilities.

Additional Resources

Foster Care and Student Success

Offers tools, guidance, and updates to advance the academic success of students impacted by foster care.

New to Special Education, Determine Eligibility

Criteria and Information on Becoming a PDSES Service Provider or Vendor

The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program is a one-time $1,500 online grant for parents/guardians of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school. Parents/guardians of eligible students can use the online accounts to shop the marketplace to obtain educational materials and resources such as textbooks, curriculum, or technology devices and/or services such as additional speech therapy, tutoring, or other specific services.