Parent Resource Guide
One of the greatest challenges currently facing Texas in regard
to the delivery of services for students with disabilities is access to resources
on special education. The purpose of providing resources on this Web page is
to promote information and guidance to parents, district staff, and other interested
stakeholders regarding special education.
The following links list state- and or national-level resources
that have been identified by the State and previously published in A
Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process, a companion document
to the Notice of Procedural Safeguards.
This is not an exhaustive list of resources available; but it will be updated
periodically. If you would like to suggest a resource, contact the
Division of IDEA Coordination.
- Understanding the Special
Education Process
Guidance on who to speak to at the local level (your school) about your
child's education; state resources (guidance documents available on the web),
and links to technical assistance providers in the State who can answer questions
about special education
- Education Service Centers
First points of contact for providing technical assistance (answering
questions about special education) and joint training (both parents and school
personnel)
- Parent Training and Information
(PTI) Projects
The three PTI projects in the State share the common purpose of empowering
parents of children and youth with disabilities in their roles as parents,
decision makers, and advocates for their children
- Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs)
CPRCs serve families of children and young adults from birth to age 22 with all disabilities: physical, cognitive, emotional, and learning. They help families obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities; work to improve education results for all children; train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics; resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies; and connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs.
- Government Agencies (State)
Contact information for state agencies related to students with disabilities
- Government Agencies (Federal)
Contact information for the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), offices
related to students with disabilities within the USDE, and the Office of Civil
Rights in Dallas, Texas
- Disability Advocacy Organizations
Organizations that advocate on the behalf of families with children with
disabilities
- Disability Specific Organizations
State and National Organizations that focus on a particular disability
(for example, the Arc of Texas)
- Dispute Resolution within the Special Education
Process
Information about the State's complaint, mediation, and due process hearing
processes
- Legal Assistance
Information about resources for legal help with disability related issues
- Technology-Related Assistance
Information regarding the use of technology and students with disabilities