Education
For resources in ASL, visit our Education Videos in ASL Page.
Our Education Team works to improve educational opportunities for students with disabilities in grades K-12 by ensuring they receive instruction in classrooms alongside students without disabilities, have access to assistive technology, are not disciplined, restrained, or secluded because of a disability, and obtain transition services needed to prepare for life after school.
Related resource pages:
See our How to Apply for Services page if you need legal assistance related to your child’s education needs.
Featured Resources
Overview of Texas Special Education Bills Passed in 2023
Learn which special education and post-school transition bills passed during the 88th Texas Legislature. Continue reading “Overview of Texas Special Education Bills Passed in 2023”
IDEA Manual
The IDEA Manual will help you plan an educational program that will lead to an independent and productive life for your child and yourself. Continue reading “IDEA Manual”
How to Request a Camera in Your Child’s Special Education Classroom
Learn what you need to know about cameras in special education classrooms, and use our sample letters to request cameras and recordings. Continue reading “How to Request a Camera in Your Child’s Special Education Classroom”
Requesting an Initial Evaluation for Special Ed
How to request an Initial Evaluation for Special Education Eligibility. Continue reading “Requesting an Initial Evaluation for Special Ed”
Handouts
Request a Camera for a Special Education Classroom Sample Letter
This handout includes sample text parents can use in a letter to request a camera and video surveillance in a special education classroom. Continue reading “Request a Camera for a Special Education Classroom Sample Letter”
Report an Incident and Request a Recording Sample Letter
This handout includes sample text parents can use to report an incident and request a recording of a monitored special education classroom. Continue reading “Report an Incident and Request a Recording Sample Letter”
Transition Planning: Preparing for Life After High School
A transition plan can help by laying out next steps after high school like where you will live or if you’ll continue your education. If you’re a student with a disability receiving special education services, schools are required to work with you on a transition plan usually when you first start high school. Continue reading “Transition Planning: Preparing for Life After High School”
Texas School Reentry Toolkit
The Texas School Reentry Toolkit is designed to help parents of students with disabilities gain reentry to school in Texas. Continue reading “Texas School Reentry Toolkit”
Transitioning from ECI Services to a Local School
If your child receives ECI services, they will graduate from ECI on the day they turn three. It is important that, upon exiting ECI, your child properly transitions to a setting that will continue to provide the supports and services that they need to succeed. Continue reading “Transitioning from ECI Services to a Local School”
What is Early Childhood Intervention?
ECI services help promote the development and growth of children age 0-3 who have developmental disabilities and other disabilities. This handout answers many of the questions parents might have about ECI and covers topics like eligibility, services, costs, evaluation and assessment, and more. Continue reading “What is Early Childhood Intervention?”
Is Special Education Right for My Child?
When a student struggles academically or behaviorally, some parents may request an evaluation for special education. This handout seeks to help parents decide if special education is needed and appropriate for their child. Continue reading “Is Special Education Right for My Child?”
What is a Grievance, and How Do I File One?
This handout answers questions related to concerns you might have about how a situation is being handled at your child’s school. Learn how to report your concerns and how to decide if you need help from an attorney. Continue reading “What is a Grievance, and How Do I File One?”
DRTx Interactive Discipline Guide – New Edition
The new edition of the DRTx Interactive Discipline Guide helps parents and schools apply IDEA requirements when disciplining a student. Continue reading “DRTx Interactive Discipline Guide – New Edition”
DRTx Discipline Guide for Students with Disabilities – Links and Glossary
The links and background information in this handout can be used with the DRTx Discipline Guide for Students with Disabilities. Continue reading “DRTx Discipline Guide for Students with Disabilities – Links and Glossary”
Keep Tabs on TEA: Timeline of Illegal Limit on Texas Special Ed
This timeline reflects the history of the Texas Education Agency’s illegal 8.5 percent cap on special education enrollment and the correction action plan to make it right. Continue reading “Keep Tabs on TEA: Timeline of Illegal Limit on Texas Special Ed”
Response to Intervention: What Parents Need to Know
Our new infographic explaining RTI (Response to Intervention) and what parents need to know. School districts in Texas have used RTI to delay getting some students special education evaluations but new laws passed in Texas are forcing schools to stop using this tactic. This infographic helps explain the process and your rights. Continue reading “Response to Intervention: What Parents Need to Know”
School Transfer for Victims of Bullying
The Texas Anti-Bullying Law gives parents of a child victim of bullying the right to petition the school’s Board of Trustees or their authorized representative to transfer their child to another class at the same school, or to another school within the same school district. Continue reading “School Transfer for Victims of Bullying”
Independent Evaluations for Special Education
This handout answers frequently asked questions about independent evaluations. Continue reading “Independent Evaluations for Special Education”
How to File a TEA Complaint
Parents and others that have complaints about the special education services being provided by a school district may file a complaint with the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Sample letters are included in the handout. Continue reading “How to File a TEA Complaint”
Requesting an ECI Investigation or Due Process Hearing
This handout briefly explains Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services, what a state investigation and a due process hearing are, and how an investigation or a hearing might help your family to obtain ECI services to assist your infant or toddler with a disability. A sample letter to ask for either a state investigation or a due process hearing is included. Continue reading “Requesting an ECI Investigation or Due Process Hearing”
Right to Receive Information from Schools in Your Native Language
As the parent or legal guardian of a student who receives special education services, you have the right to meaningfully participate in the development and review of your child’s special education program. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other federal laws, you have rights as a parent to receive information about your child’s education in your native language. Continue reading “Right to Receive Information from Schools in Your Native Language”
Publications
Harmful Restraint of Students with Disabilities in Texas Schools
Students with disabilities represent approximately 9.8% of the state’s school population, but they experienced 91% of restraints in Texas’ public schools during the 2018-19 school year. Continue reading “Harmful Restraint of Students with Disabilities in Texas Schools”
Education Bills Impacting Students with Disabilities: 86th Texas Legislature
Learn about some of the most important laws passed in the 2019 Texas Legislative Session that impact students with disabilities. Continue reading “Education Bills Impacting Students with Disabilities: 86th Texas Legislature”
Make My School Safe Toolkit
This toolkit is for students, parents, caregivers, educators, advocates, and policymakers who want to ensure all students are kept safe in their schools. Continue reading “Make My School Safe Toolkit”
Investigative Report: How Texas Schools Are Failing Students – Again
Over the course of a year of monitoring education in psychiatric hospitals, we uncovered a troubling trend – the state is failing to meet the needs of a vast majority of special education-eligible children in psychiatric hospitals. Continue reading “Investigative Report: How Texas Schools Are Failing Students – Again”
Your Rights, Your Voice Transition Guide
This is a guide for youth with mental health concerns transitioning to adulthood. Continue reading “Your Rights, Your Voice Transition Guide”
Education Bills Impacting Students with Disabilities: 85th Texas Legislature
Learn about some of the most important laws passed in the 2017 Texas Legislative Session that impact students with disabilities. Continue reading “Education Bills Impacting Students with Disabilities: 85th Texas Legislature”
Videos
What are Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services?
If you suspect your child age 0-3 may have a developmental delay or a disability, he or she may be eligible for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services. Learn more about what these services are and how to get them. Watch the video “What are Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services?”
Transition from ECI to Special Education
The transition from ECI to special education can be confusing. This video will help you understand the process and who’s involved. Watch the video “Transition from ECI to Special Education”
Texas Fails to Provide Services to Young Children with Disabilities
The federal government issued a letter to the Texas HHSC commissioner describing the state’s noncompliance with the IDEA Part C requirements. Due to reduced funding for ECI, schools not participating in child find activities, and ECI resources not being available in all geographic areas of the state, many infants and toddlers have missed out on life-changing services. Watch the video “Texas Fails to Provide Services to Young Children with Disabilities”
Parent Guide to the ARD Process (Part 1)
In this first of two videos, parents can get an introduction to the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Process. Watch the video “Parent Guide to the ARD Process (Part 1)”
Transition Planning for Students Nearing Graduation
Students with disabilities who are getting closer to graduation have the right to transition services. Watch this video to learn more about transition services and your legal rights. Watch the video “Transition Planning for Students Nearing Graduation”
Parent Guide to the ARD Process (Part 2)
In this second of two videos, parents can learn how to advocate for their child in the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Process. Watch the video “Parent Guide to the ARD Process (Part 2)”
Denied Again
Learn about how students with disabilities continue to be denied access to special education services in Texas. Watch the video “Denied Again”
External Links
- Ending Harmful Student Restraint
Video of press conference at the Capitol in January 2023.
- Prioritizing Education for Foster Care Youth with Disabilities
Texas CASA video with DRTx attorney.
- The ADA and Child Care Centers
- Bullying: The Rights of Students with Disabilities and the School’s Responsibilities (PDF)
- Counselors Not Cops
- Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates (COPAA)
- Video: Ensuring Education Success for Justice-Involved Youth
Video of DRTx attorney presentation.
- Exceptional Parent Magazine
- Family-to-Family Network
- Individualized Education Program Facilitation in Texas
- ISER - Internet Special Education Resources
- Make My School Safe Toolkit
- OCR Complaint How to Video
- OCR Online Complaint Forms
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
- Parent Companion
- Partners Resource Network
- Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support
- Public schools and communication with students who have hearing, vision, and speech disabilities (PDF)
- TEA Due Process Hearing Decisions
- TEA Dyslexia Handbook (PDF)
- TEA Special Education Information Center
- TEA Special Education Rules and Regulations
- Texas Education Agency
- Texas Project FIRST
- Texas Parent to Parent
- Texas Transition and Employment Guide (PDF)
- Texas Transition and Employment Guide - One-Page Overview
- Transition Planning Tool by Easter Seals
- US Dept of Ed Parent and Educator Section 504 Resource Guide (PDF)
- Wrightslaw
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