Parent Resources
Medicaid Renewal
Resources on Special Education in Texas
This Texas Education Agency website provides Texas families with information regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (English) (Spanish), Dyslexia (English) (Spanish), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (English) (Spanish), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (English) (Spanish) and Delayed or Denied Evaluations & Compensatory Services (English) (Spanish).
Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex)
The Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex) provides resources and interactive features for increasing family awareness of disabilities and special education processes, with the goal of improving partnerships between schools and families.
Contact information:
Phone: 1-855-773-3839
Email: [email protected]
Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES)
Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) are $1,500 one-time online grants for eligible parents/caregivers of eligible students served by special education that have been impacted by COVID-19 school closures. To be eligible for the PDSES grant, the student must currently be enrolled in a Texas public school, enrolled in PreK - 12th grade, and must be a student with a disability served through Special Education (English Program Overview) (Spanish Program Overview)
Texas Project First
Texas Project First is a project of the Texas Education Agency committed to providing accurate and consistent information to parents and families of students with disabilities.
Partners Resource Network
The Partners Resource Network can help you understand your child’s disability, understand your rights and responsibilities under IDEA, obtain and evaluate resources and services, and effectively participate as an equal team member with professionals in planning services for your child.
Special Education Parent Handbooks
Autism Spectrum Disorder Training Opportunities
Coach to Communicate Project (Texas A&M University)
Mobile and Telehealth Outreach Clinic for Autism (Texas Tech University): The Burkhart Center was recently awarded a grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) that will allow for the creation of the Mobile and Telehealth Outreach Clinic for Autism (M-TOCA) to bring several of the services we currently provide in our clinic to the entire state of Texas.
Notice of Procedural Safeguards January 2025
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended in 2004, requires schools to provide parents of a child with a disability with a notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards available under IDEA and its implementing regulations.
La Ley de Educación para Individuos con Discapacidades (IDEA, por sus siglas en inglés), que fue enmendada en 2004 requiere que escuelas provean a los padres de un niño con una discapacidad con un aviso que contiene una explicación completa de los procedimientos de protección disponibles bajo la IDEA y sus regulaciones de realización.
An American Sign Language (ASL) of the Procedural Safeguards is now available.
The Procedural Safeguards can found on the SPEDTex website (Procedural Safeguards - SPEDTex)
Parent's Guide to the ARD Process January 2025
This guide is designed to give you, as the parent of a child who is or may be eligible for special education and related services, a better understanding of the special education process and of your procedural rights and responsibilities so that you will be able to fully participate in the decision-making process regarding your child’s education.
La guía está diseñada para darle, como padre de un niño que es o puede ser elegible para servicios de educación especial y servicios relacionados, un mejor entendimiento del proceso de educación especial y de sus derechos procesales y responsabilidades de modo que pueda participar totalmente en el proceso de tomar decisiones en cuanto a la educación de su niño.
The Parent's Guide to the ARD Process can be found the the SPEDTex website (Parent's Guide to the ARD Process - SPEDTex)
Care Solace
Care Solace is available 24hours per day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year to quickly connect you to quality mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, regardless of insurance coverage.
If you are interested in counseling-related services for your child, yourself, or another family member, please contact Care Solace for valuable assistance at (888) 515-0595. This is a complimentary resource provided by Burnet Consolidated ISD.
Transition Services
In Texas, a student’s IEP must include a transition discussion by their 14th birthday (TEC §29.011). This discussion must include a statement of needed transition services, including instruction, related services, community experiences, employment, and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.
The Transition and Employment Guide (English) (Spanish) (Korean) (Vietnamese) (Chinese) required by HB 617 from the 83rd Texas Legislature has been developed by TEA and a team of stakeholders. The Texas Transition and Employment Guide provides youth, young adults, parents, and professionals with secondary transition resources to facilitate a young person’s progress toward post-secondary goals in education, employment, and community living. *Updated version published August 1, 2025.
PDSES Information
Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) are $1,500 one-time online grants for eligible parents/caregivers of eligible Texas public school students receiving special education services, allowing them to purchase educational goods and services. To be eligible for the PDSES grant, the student must currently be enrolled in a Texas public school, enrolled in PreK - 12th grade, and must be a student with a disability served through Special Education ( English Program Overview) (Spanish Program Overview)
Overview
The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program, administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), provides a $1,500 one-time online grant to parents or guardians of students enrolled in Texas public schools who receive special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP),. The program empowers parents to select educational resources and services that directly benefit their child, including textbooks, technology, tutoring, therapy, and other specialized services.
Eligibility
To qualify for PDSES, a student must:
-
Be currently enrolled in a Tex
as public school (grades Pre- K through 12th) -
Receive special education serv
ices through an IEP -
Not have received a PDSES or S
SES grant previously, as the g rant is one-time only Students in private schools, homeschools, or receiving propo rtionate share services are no t eligible. Section 504 studen ts are also excluded because t hey do not receive special edu cation services.
Application Process
- Annual application window: For
the 2025-2026 school year, th e application opens April 1, 2 026, at 8:00 a.m. CST and clos es April 30, 2026, at 5:00 p. m. CST. - Parents must create a My SPEDT
ex account to apply and access the PDSES Parent Portal. - After logging in, parents add
their contact information and student(s) using the Student L ookup feature, which requires the student’s UID, SSN, or Sta te Alternate ID. - Once approved, parents receive
a ClassWallet account to purc hase approved educational good s and services. - Parents can check their applic
ation status anytime in the PD SES Parent Portal, and if deni ed, they may appeal or reapply the following school year.
What Can Be Purchased
PDSES funds can be used for:
-
Educational goods: Books, tabl
ets, laptops, school supplies, sensory items, therapeutic it ems, headphones, educational g ames, printers. -
All purchases must provide a d
irect educational benefit to t he student, and parents must f ollow PDSES purchasing guideli nes.
Additional Resources
-
PDSES website: pdses.tea.
texas.gov -
Email support: PDSESHelp@
Region10.org -
Phone support: 1-855-773-3839
-
SPEDTex resources: spedtex.
tea.texas.gov
Parents can also sign up for email updates to receive remind ers about the application wind ow and program updates.
Key Takeaways
PDSES is designed to empower parents as decision-makers in their child’s education, providing flexibility to purchase resources that meet the unique needs of students receiving special education services. It is a first-come, first-served, one-time grant, so timely application is crucial.