Parent Resource Guide
Understanding the Special Education Process
When you have general questions about special education, contact
the following personnel at your local school district:
- The Teacher has information about your child's current
progress, class routines, behavior issues, and individualized education program
(IEP) implementation.
- The Principal has information about school policies and
procedures, records, schedules, IEP implementation, admission, review, and
dismissal (ARD) committee issues, and discipline procedures.
- The Special Education Administrator/Director has information
about district special education procedures and policies, can provide an explanation
of procedural safeguards, can provide
clarification on concerns about implementation of the IEP, and can handle
the request for an independent educational evaluation.
State Resources
The following State Resources (guidance documents) have been developed
to provide information about special education:
- Beyond ECI
This booklet helps families make the transition from early childhood intervention
(ECI) programs when a child turns three years old and graduates from ECI.
View/Download Adobe Acrobat PDF of Beyond ECI: English version | Spanish version
- Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal
Process
Explains the process by which an individualized education program (IEP) is
developed for a student in a special education program and the rights and
responsibilities of a parent concerning the process. The ARD Guide is intended
to be a companion document to, not a replacement for, the Notice of Procedural
Safeguards. School districts are required by state law to to distribute the
document to parents whose child has been referred for special education services
and/or any time a parent requests it from the district. It is intended to
provide a general overview of the special education process and has been written
in parent-friendly language.
- Notice of Procedural Safeguards
Explains the specific rights and responsibilities of the parent in the special
education process as required by federal regulation. At a minimum, this document
must be given upon: 1. Initial referral for evaluation; 2. Each notification
of an ARD committee meeting; 3. Reevaluation of the child; and 4. Receipt
of a request for due process hearing. Although written in as parent-friendly
language as possible, the document must reflect specific legal procedural
safeguards.
- Related Services
Explains the parent's and school district roles and responsibilities in the
provision of related services (the support services needed by a student in
order to benefit from special education services). Related services may include
occupational therapy, physical therapy, music therapy, orientation and mobility
training, travel training, and more.
- Extended School Year Services
Explains the parent's and school district's roles and responsibilities in
the provision of extended school year services (individualized instructional
program for eligible students with disabilities that is provided beyond the
regular school year).
- Legal Framework
Online resource that summarizes state and federal requirements for special
education by topic. Schools may use the Legal Framework to manage and maintain
compliant records for student identification, eligibility, placement, participation,
progress, achievement, accountability, and graduation.
Technical Assistance
- Education Service Centers
Texas is divided into twenty regions. Each region contains an education service
center (ESC). Each ESC provides leadership, training, and technical assistance
in the area of special education for students with disabilities in accordance
with the Texas Education Agency's focus on increasing student achievement.
Each ESC serves as first point of contact for school districts, parents, and
other community stakeholders, and provides for the joint training of parents
and special education, related services, and general education personnel.
- Parent Training and Information
(PTI) Projects
Parent Resource Network (PRN) is the non-profit agency awarded three PTI Projects
which cover the state of Texas. These projects operate independently but do
share some central administrative functions. All of the projects 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.
- TEA Parent Information Line
Parents can call toll-free, 1-800-252-9668, and leave a message. A TEA staff
member will return the call during normal business hours to discuss parent
rights (procedural safeguards) and special
education rules and regulations.
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