New to Special Education, New to Texas
Glossary of educational terms and acronyms used in Texas schools, with a focus on special education, curriculum, and student support services.
Resource Library
Showing 360 results
Transition
Lists free and low-cost mobile apps aiding youth with disabilities in education, employment, and independent living.
Behavior/Discipline
Learn more about how trauma can influence behavior and defensiveness, and how understanding this connection can improve support for children.
ARD Committee Meetings, Implement the IEP
Explains how IEPs must include ways to measure progress toward annual goals, ensuring effective services and keeping parents informed.
New to Special Education
Navigate Life Texas provides tips on organizing school records to help parents advocate for children with disabilities and track educational progress.
New to Special Education, Additional Resources
View detailed instructions for completing the PDSES application and using the Parent Portal.
New to Special Education
A visual reference guide of common special education acronyms with their full meanings to support understanding and communication.
New to Special Education, ARD Committee Meetings
A parent shares experience and tips that can help you prepare for your first admission, review, dismissal (ARD) meeting.
Evaluation, New to Special Education
Explains Texas school district timelines and steps for completing a student's initial special education evaluation after parental consent.
Behavior/Discipline
CADRE webinar examines how genetics and environment shape conflict responses, guiding parents to model effective behaviors for children.
Develop the IEP, Implement the IEP
A list of tech tools organized by reading skill areas to help support students who face challenges in phonics, fluency, comprehension, and more.
ARD Committee Meetings
Parents can agree to make changes to the IEP without an ARD meeting if the adjustment is minor and both parties agree.
Transition
Guides practitioners in supporting families during the transition from early intervention to preschool special education services.
Behavior/Discipline
Find resources that support your child’s behavior at home with practical tips and guidance.
Transition
Offers guidance on when and how to transition to adult healthcare, with key questions and steps for a smooth handoff from pediatric providers.
New to Special Education, Additional Resources
The Statewide Outreach Center at Texas School for the Deaf connects families and professionals to essential resources from birth through age twenty-two, and extend the reach of our programs statewide and online.
ARD Committee Meetings
This webinar offers strategies for parents and bilingual staff to participate effectively in IEP meetings.
Dispute Resolution, Determine Eligibility, Understanding Parent Rights
Parents may request a free independent educational evaluation if they disagree with the school evaluation.
Develop the IEP, Implement the IEP
This site from legal framework help you locate citations and federal and state requirements for ESY Services.
Behavior/Discipline, ARD Committee Meetings
Fact sheet to help parents plan for school meetings about their child's behavior using planning tips, tools, and effective communication strategies.
Develop the IEP, Implement the IEP
Learn more about STAAR Alternate 2, designed for Texas students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and their educational needs.
Behavior/Discipline
Learn strategies like visual schedules and transition warnings to support children through daily routines and smooth transitions.
New to Special Education
Supports smooth transition from early intervention under age 3 to preschool special ed with planning tools and guidance.
Understanding Parent Rights, New to Special Education
Training for surrogate and foster parents on their role in special education, focusing on IDEA rights, responsibilities, and advocacy.