Education

Handouts

• School Safety Updates for 2025-2026 School Year

  Learn about changes to school safety laws in Texas, including school safety committees, multi-hazard operations plans, and school safety drills.

• Closure of the U.S. Department of Education

  A Presidential Executive Order issued on March 20, 2025, requires the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education. This fact sheet provides information on what the Department does, other related ...

• School for Students with Disabilities Learning English

  Learn what parents can do so their student with a disability who is learning English can access special education services.

• Make Sure Your Child Doesn’t Fall Behind Due to Beryl

  If your child missed special education services, make sure the school helps your child stay on track with their IEP.

• How the SHARS Issue Could Impact Special Education

  What parents should know about the SHARS issue, including how it could impact special education services, and what you can do about it.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Planning for Life After High School

  A 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 plan usually when you first start 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.

• Switching 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 switches to a setting that will continue to provide the supports and services that they need to succeed.

• 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.

• 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.

• Local Level Grievances at Independent School Districts

  This handout answers questions related to concerns you might have about how a situation is being handled at your child’s school.

• DRTx School 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Rights of Victims of Bullying

  When a student suffers harassment or bullying at a public school, the parent may want to transfer the student to another class or school.

• Independent Evaluations for Special Education

  This handout answers frequently asked questions about independent evaluations.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.