Some provisions of special education law require a policy explanation from our State Education Agency, TEA. In Texas, we call these policy explanations, State Guidance Documents. The purpose of the State Guidance Documents is to further explain the intent of the law or to explain how Texas expects the law to be implemented. These are updated often – so check back regularly.
In an effort to provide policy statements, in a timely manner, the Division of IDEA Coordination Policy Team developed a webpage where permanent policy documents live. Interested stakeholders (parents, school personnel, advocates, etc.) can check this page to find up-to-date direction on the provision of special education services in Texas.
Guidance may take the form of links to State Resources or short responses to commonly asked questions. The content on this web page is updated as soon as new information is available for public dissemination and is written in language that is easy to understand.
Currently there are a number of guidance documents related to Special Education on the following topics:
- Accelerated Instruction and Intensive Programs of Instruction (pdf) (February 2014)
- ARD Guide Production and Required Dissemination (Jan. 2012)
- ARD Committee and Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (Sept. 2014)
- Beyond ECI (pdf) (June 2012)
- Career and Technology Education (CTE) and Special Education Questions and Answers (pdf) (May 2011)
- Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE)
- Detail of Bills Relevant to Special Education (pdf)
- Discipline & School Removals (Jan. 2013)
- Disproportionate Representation & Significant Disproportionality (Oct. 2014)
- Dispute Resolution Processes (July 2014)
- Documenting Frequency, Duration, and Location of Related Services (July 2010)
- Dyslexia Program (ESC 10) (July 2014)
- Dyslexia and Related Disorders: Frequently Asked Questions (March 2019)
- Early Transition Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (June 2012)
- ECI Transition Flowchart (pdf) (Sept. 2013)
- Extended School Year Services for Students with Disabilities (June 2014)
- Graduation (Sept. 2014)
- Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements (pdf) (Feb. 2013)
- Homelessness (July 2014)
- Interpreter Certification (Jan. 2013)
- Inviting State Agencies to ARD Committee Meetings (April 2014)
- Partners Resource Network (Parent Information)
- Procedural Safeguards and Required Dissemination (Jan. 2012)
- Q & A Document on individualized education programs (IEPs), evaluations, and reevaluations (June 2010)
- Q&A on Procedural Safeguards and Due Process Procedures (CADRE Website)
- Related Services Q & A document (pdf) (Aug. 2009)
- Revocation of Parental Consent for Special Education Services (Jan. 2013)
- Secondary Transition (Jan. 2008)
- Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook (pdf English version) (March 2017)
- Staff Development TEC §21.451 (July 2014)
- Standards-Based Individualized Education Program (IEP) (June 2010)
- Student Handbook Statement (July 2012)
- Texas Project FIRST (Parent Information)
