Interagency Letter of Agreement between TEA and the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services regarding Secondary Transition
This letter of agreement is intended to promote the development of transition services in Texas that offer students receiving special education services choices and opportunities for employment, and independent living in the community.
The purpose of this letter of agreement is to describe the respective roles and responsibilities of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) (Division for Blind Services and Division of Rehabilitation Services) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for outreach, consultation, and the coordination and provision of transition services as required by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
This letter of agreement represents each agency's continued commitment to foster collaborative and cooperative efforts at the state, regional, and local level to facilitate the successful transition of students with disabilities in Texas.
The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, as the state agency designated to "assess, plan, develop, and provide vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, so that they may prepare for and engage in gainful employment," acknowledges financial responsibility for the provision of transition-planning services as required by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (34 CFR §361.22, §361.45, and §361.48).
The Texas Education Agency, as the state agency designated to "ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free, appropriate, public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living," acknowledges financial responsibility for the provision of transition services required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Sections 601, 602, and 614).
Each agency agrees that disputes between Local Education Agencies (LEA) and local DARS representatives involving the provision of transition services will first be resolved at the local level. If resolution cannot be reached at the local level, the disputing agencies will refer the issues to DARS or TEA personnel designated to resolve the dispute. If a resolution cannot be reached, each agency agrees to resolve the dispute in accordance with established agency policies and procedures.
This agreement will be reviewed and considered for expansion, modification, or amendment at any time the executive officers of the agencies agree.
Signed
Terrell I. Murphy
Commissioner
Dept. of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
July 31, 2006
Shirley J. Neely, Ed. D.
Commissioner
Texas Education Agency
August 7, 2006
Texas Education Agency | Division of IDEA Coordination
1701 North Congress Avenue | Austin, Texas 78701-1494
Telephone: 512.463.9414 | Fax: 512.463.9560
Created: August 30, 2006
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