Special Education Updates
Texas A&M Parent Project
The Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University would like to offer training at no cost to Texas parents and caregivers of children up to age 22 with core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents and caregivers will learn how to improve their child's communication skills. This service is provided by a grant project entitled Coach to Communicate (C2C), sponsored by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The training includes a 1-hour self-paced webinar that teaches behavioral strategies to increase communication use in children with ASD. Once complete, parents can choose to be paired with a coach for a more intensive 12-week training specific to their child’s communication needs (again, at no cost to parents). Shorter options of 2-5 coaching sessions are also available for parents, if better suited to their needs. Coaching is offered in English and Spanish.
Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) Program
The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program, previously, the Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) 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.
To apply for the grant or obtain additional information, please visit TEA's Website for Parent-Directed Special Education Services.
A Parent's Guide to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) & Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) from the Student-Centered Transitions Network
The SCTN's new resource, A Parent's Guide to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), is now available. This guide provides information, explanations, and resource links to assist parents with understanding what is meant by ECI/ECSE and what options are available to them.
This guide includes tips & information for parents on:
- ECI/ECSE Eligibility;
- What a Transition Conference looks like from ECI to Preschool
- The evaluation process and;
- What the Continuum of Services should look like
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Fact Sheet
Texas Education Agency (TEA) Notice to Families (as required by Senate Bill 139)
The notices linked below contain information regarding:
- Changes in reporting requirements regarding special education enrollment
- The rights of a child regarding the provision of special education services under both state and federal law
- The process and procedures for initiating a referral for evaluation for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and TEC Sec. 29.004.
- Where to find local policies and procedures related to initiating a referral for evaluation under IDEA
- Links to additional special education resources for families
Information for parents provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA):
- Delayed or Denied Evaluations & Compensatory Services
- Evaluaciones Retrasadas o Denegadas & Servicios Compensatorios