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Texas Education Agency










*June 2025*




*Special Education Newsletter**
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teachers participating in a summer training





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Announcements


Update on Significant Disproportionality (SD) Notifications

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is enhancing its communication process regarding Significant Disproportionality (SD) determinations. Beginning this year, SD Year 3 notifications will be sent not only to an LEA’s Superintendent and Special Education Director, but also the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) listed in the AskTED database. LEAs are encouraged to ensure that all relevant roles—Superintendent, Special Education Director, and CFO—are current in AskTED to support timely and effective communication.

 

For more information and resources, visit the TEA Significant Disproportionality webpage [ [link removed] ].

 

 

*Nonpublic Day and Nonpublic Residential APEX Application Window closes July 1, 2025*

The *2024-2025* Nonpublic Day and Nonpublic Residential APEX application window closes July 1, 2025.

 

Please ensure the following actions are taken as soon as possible *prior to the APEX application closing date* for any Nonpublic/Non-District Operated Day placement and/or Nonpublic Residential placement that occurred between *8/1/24-7/31/25*:


* All applicable 2024-2025 nonpublic APEX applications were submitted.
* Any 2024-2025 nonpublic APEX application that is currently in Clarify or Pending status has been completed and re-submitted. (After re-submitting your application, ensure the application status changes from Clarify or Pending to Submitted.)
* Any necessary amendments to current 2024-2025 nonpublic APEX applications are submitted.

An email with more detailed information was sent to APEX users in early June 2025.

 

Please note: The 2025-2026 Nonpublic Day and Nonpublic Residential APEX application for placements that will occur between 8/1/25-7/31/26 will open 9/1/25.

 

For information and resources, please visit the Special Education in Nonpublic Programs [ [link removed] ] webpage or email questions to [email protected].

 

 

*High Cost Funds (HCF) APEX Application 2024-2025 Award Information*

The 2024-2025 High Cost Funds (HCF) APEX application closed May 19, 2025.

 

The 2024-2025 HCF reimbursement award amount for eligible local educational agencies (LEAs, which includes independent school districts and open-enrollment charter schools) will be displayed in the LEA’s HCF APEX application on July 1, 2025. A notification email from APEX will be sent to *eligible LEAs*.

 

Later, on July 15, 2025, *awarded LEAs* will receive an email with a link to a payment request form to request payment of their HCF award. The amount of the payment request cannot exceed the amount of the LEA’s 2024-2025 HCF reimbursement award, or the total amount of actual expenditures incurred between 8/1/24-7/31/25, for the approved costs itemized in the 2024-2025 HCF application, whichever amount is less. The deadline to submit the HCF payment request to TEA is August 8, 2025.

 

If you have questions, please email [email protected].






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Upcoming Dates


* *June 2 - August 1:* Application window for the Discipline and Behavior Supports Grant. Visit the TEA Grant Opportunities [ [link removed] ] webpage for additional details.
* *June 15 - August 15: *Autism Circuit Academy Fall 2025 cohort applications open "(see Department News for more information)."
* *June 27*: ASCEND Satisfaction Survey closes. 
* *July 1: *2024-2025 Nonpublic Day and Nonpublic Residential APEX Application window closes "(see Announcements for more information)."
* *July 1: *2024-2025 High Cost Fund Award Amount will be displayed in the High Cost Fund APEX Application ""(see Announcements for more information).""
* *July 30-31*: Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation conference [ [link removed] ] free of charge and worth 12 continuing education credits "(see Department News for more information)."
* *July 31: *Deadline for the 2024-25 Child Find submission in the Texas Student Data System (TSDS). This includes State Performance Plan Indicators (SPPI) 11A (Timely Initial Evaluation), 11B (Eligibility Determination), and 12 (Early Childhood Transition).
* *August 4: *Texas Student Data System (TSDS) ready to load data for the new 2025-26 Special Education Data System (SPEDS) Summer submission. LEAs are encouraged to monitor upcoming newsletters and TEA Special Education Webinars [ [link removed] ] for further information, guidance, and training opportunities related to SPEDS. 
* *August 8: *Deadline for the 2024-25 SPPI 7 (Preschool Outcomes) and SPPI 13 (Secondary Transition) submissions in the Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) system. 
* *September 26: *Special Education Self-Assessment window, which opened on April 29, closes. 

Don't forget to check out TEA's Special Education Webinars and Newsletters website [ [link removed] ] for a list of upcoming events, previous webinar recordings, and past editions of the Special Education Newsletter.

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image of people with disabilities
*Did you know... *

*June 22 marked the anniversary of the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. Supreme Court decision (1999)?*

 

This was a pivotal moment in disability rights history. The Court ruled that, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals with disabilities have the right to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. The Court’s decision emphasized that individuals with disabilities should have the opportunity to live and receive services in community settings when appropriate, rather than being placed in institutional care unnecessarily.

 

For Texas educators and families, this ruling reinforces the importance of inclusive practices in schools and communities for students with disabilities and supports the principle that these students should have access to education and services in environments that promote interaction, independence, and dignity.





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In This Issue


* Autism Circuit Academy [ #link_6 ]
* 19 TAC Chapter 231, Subchapter F, Special Education-Related Personnel Assignments Rule Updates [ #link_4 ]
* Special Education EC-12 and Supplemental Certificates Replacement Reminder [ #link_13 ]
* Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant: Testimonials From the Field [ #link_12 ]
* ARD Committee Manager Training TEALearn course [ #link_8 ]
* This Summer: Build Inclusive Classrooms with UDL [ #link_9 ]
* Website Updates: TEA's Strategic Supports and Reporting Division [ #link_10 ]
* State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Quarterly Announcement [ #link_11 ]
* Public Comment Period Open for Review of 2025 Instructional Materials Under Consideration [ #link_5 ]
* Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation Conference [ #link_7 ]
* TEA Engagement Opportunities [ #link_1 ]
* State Assessment Educator Item Review Committees [ #link_2 ]
* Qualified Monitors and Conservators Needed [ #link_3 ]
Texas SPED Support
Monthly Spotlight:

Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ] has a ton of *FREE professional development that you can take this summer* to increase your skills. 

Additionally, *sign up for email updates on the topics that are most important to you* and get real-time updates relevant to your work. You can also *choose to receive State Guidance updates* which will provide you with the most recent TEA guidance you may have missed. 

 

Follow on Facebook & Instagram: @TexasSPEDSupport
Follow on Twitter: @TXSPEDSupport






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DEPARTMENT NEWS

 

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Autism Circuit Academy

The Autism Circuit Academy (ACA) *Fall 2025 cohort application opened June 15th and closes August 15th*. The ACA has been redesigned to offer separate fall and spring cohorts. Participants will also have the option to enroll in both cohorts for a full year of training and coaching on evidence-based practices for students with autism. The ACA is *free for educators* across Texas who are employees of an LEA.

 

*Learn More Here* [ [link removed] ]


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19 TAC Chapter 231, Subchapter F, Special Education-Related Personnel Assignments Rule Updates

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the State Board of Education (SBOE) *recently approved updated rules related to special education personnel assignments*. The updated 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 231, Subchapter F, §231.701 [ [link removed] ] rules:  


* Require all special education teachers to hold a valid special education certificate 
* Require special education teachers who are serving as teachers of record to hold the appropriate, grade-banded content certification for each area they are assigned as teacher of record OR meet requirements in the applicable section of the Texas Core Content Competency Worksheet for Special Education Teachers of Record [ [link removed] ] as specified in §231.701(d).
* Provide minor technical edits to §231.709 to align with naming conventions used in other subchapters for Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. 
* Establish a new §231.710 subsection that outlines certification requirements for an assignment of Teachers of Students who are Deafblind and the aligned SBEC-issued certificate.

A *comprehensive FAQ document [ [link removed] ] is now available* and can be found on the Special Education Personnel Assignment [ [link removed] ] webpage. Please submit any additional questions via this FAQ Submission Form [ [link removed] ].

 

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Special Education EC-12 and Supplemental Certificates Replacement Reminder

The Special Education Early Childhood (EC) - 12 and Special Education Supplemental certificates are being replaced by the Special Education Specialist EC-12 certificate. The Special Education Specialist EC-12 exam 186 will replace both exams 161 and 163.  


* The last date a candidate can test for the expiring exams is *August 31, 2025*.  
* Candidates for certification in Special Education EC-12 or Special Education Supplemental must meet all requirements and submit a complete application by *September 1, 2026*.  
* The last date a candidate can be recommended for certification by an educator preparation program (EPP) using passing scores on Exam 161 or 163 is *September 1, 2026*.  
* The new exam 186 launches *September 2, 2025*.  

Beginning *September 2, 2026*, the Special Education Specialist EC-12 will require a passing score on exam 186.  

 

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Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant: Testimonials From the Field

The 2024-2026 Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grants [ [link removed] ] were *awarded to 10 LEAs* across Texas and have *directly impacted 32 LEAs* due to many grantees collaborating across multiple LEAs. The purpose of this grant is to *increase LEAs' capacity to implement innovative programs that effectively serve students with autism ages 3-21*. This project will result in effective, scalable models that can be replicated in other areas of the state. *Read about the impact this grant has had on Bastrop ISD. *

 

""The TEA Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant has proven to be an invaluable asset to Bastrop ISD and, most importantly, to our students with autism and their families. This grant has been instrumental in ensuring that children across the district, from Pre-K through 18+, receive services grounded in the latest evidence-based practices within the field of autism spectrum disorder."

 

"The impact of this funding extends far beyond the classroom. The introduction of parent engagement events, such as the welcoming Coffee Connections and the inclusive sensory movie days, has created vital opportunities for families to connect, share experiences, and build a strong sense of community and mutual support. These initiatives foster relationships among caregivers, reducing feelings of isolation and empowering them with a network of understanding peers."

 

"The grant has also enabled Bastrop ISD to acquire essential resources that directly enhance the learning environment and therapeutic interventions for our students. From sensory supplies that aid in self-regulation to classroom dividers that facilitate focused independent work and Discrete Trial Training (DTT), these materials are making a tangible difference in the daily lives and educational progress of our students.""

 

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ARD Committee Manager Training TEALearn course

This TEA Learn course has been updated.

 

This course provides *best practices for ARD committee managers* for LEAs that choose to use this model. Other common job titles for this position include ARD Committee Facilitator, ARD Committee Chair, and Child-Centered Process Liaison. Position titles may vary from one LEA to another.

 

An ARD committee manager is a staff member who facilitates or leads ARD committee meetings and helps meet local, state, and federal guidelines for students being considered for or receiving special education and related services.

 

An ARD committee manager's roles and responsibilities typically include:


* Scheduling and mailing notices for ARD committee meetings.
* Gathering relevant student data, such as, grades, attendance, behavior reports, progress monitoring data, universal screening results, previous and current evaluation reports.
* Preparing and finalizing required ARD committee paperwork.
* Facilitating the ARD committee meeting.
* Sending completed Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents to the parents or guardians and archiving in accordance with LEA procedures.
* Supporting families and school personnel with special education questions.
* Assisting classroom teachers with understanding and documenting the receipt of students’ IEP paperwork.
* Complying with requirements established by federal and state law, state board of education (SBOE) rules, local board policies, and special education operating procedures.

This course is intended to provide information, guidance, and best practice for successfully achieving these expectations.

 

*Go to Course Now* [ [link removed] ]


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This Summer: Build Inclusive Classrooms with UDL

Ready to design more accessible learning environments for all students? The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Professional Development Series offers *five self-paced, online courses that explore the UDL framework in depth*—covering its principles, checkpoints, and practical applications.

 

Want to learn with others? Courses 3–5 are also available as live sessions at your local Education Service Center (ESC).

 

Start your UDL journey today and empower every learner!

 

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Website Updates: TEA's Strategic Supports and Reporting Division

* A *new clarification has been added* to the State Performance Plan Indicator (SPPI) 1 Graduation Rate [ [link removed] ] webpage. It now includes the definition of a regular high school diploma as it applies to SPPI 1 reporting. This definition aligns with federal guidelines and ensures consistency in how graduation data is reported.
* The SPPI 13 Secondary Transition [ [link removed] ] webpage has been *updated to provide a clearer distinction between federal and state transition requirements*. While Texas law mandates that transition planning begin at age 14, federal reporting for SPPI 13 includes only students aged 16 and older.
* A *new section has been added* to the RDA Documentation [ [link removed] ] webpage titled “Historical RDA Documents”. This section provides access to archived RDA materials, offering valuable context and reference for LEAs reviewing past performance.
* *Data notes have been added* to the LEA Public Reporting [ [link removed] ] webpage. These notes clarify that the SPPI 11, 12, and 13 data submitted to the federal government represent pre-clarification data. This ensures alignment and consistency with federal reporting requirements for the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) submission. Additionally, these data notes are also available on the respective report pages for SPPI 11, 12, and 13, providing direct context for users reviewing those indicators.

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State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Quarterly Announcement

The State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) is a multi-year plan to improve outcomes for children with disabilities. Texas' current plan focuses on *enhancing reading proficiency among students with disabilities in grades 4, 8, and high school*, as measured by performance on state reading assessments aligned with grade-level standards, including accommodations.

 

The TEA provides resources to improve reading outcomes for children with disabilities on the Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ] website, which features a library of online courses, conferences, high-quality guidance documents, tools, templates, and videos.

 

*Resources include:*

Reading Instruction: Elementary [ [link removed] ] - The training focuses on the *essential practices of universal (Tier 1), targeted (Tier 2), and intensive (Tier 3) reading interventions,* emphasizing how these tiers function together to promote student success.

 

Odell Texas High School Literacy Program Grades 9-12 [ [link removed] ] – This guide p*rovides multiple ways to approach and plan for the provision of specially designed instruction (SDI)* and presents multiple lenses through which readers can examine the connections between the tools and content in Odell Texas High School Literacy Program and the components of SDI.

 

Texas Dyslexia Academy (TDA) 1: Foundations [ [link removed] ] – This course *provides foundational information about how students acquire reading skills, why some students struggle in reading, what dyslexia is, and warning signs* that dyslexia may be causing a student’s reading difficulties. Participants may take this course online on TEAlearn.com [ [link removed] ] or in person, by finding a trainer at their regional education service center [ [link removed] ].

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Public Comment Period Open for Review of 2025 Instructional Materials Under Consideration

The State Board of Education (SBOE) is *accepting public comment for the second cycle of materials submitted through the Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process.* This cycle reflects the SBOE’s ongoing commitment to providing Texas educators and students with high-quality instructional resources.

 

The IMRA process was established by the Texas Legislature through House Bill 1605 (88th Regular Session) to direct the SBOE to evaluate and approve high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) that support all learners and provide implementation support for teachers. The IMRA process is also designed to promote transparency and public input in the review and approval process of these materials.

 

The materials under review for IMRA Cycle 2025 include a *wide range of K-12 options developed to meet the needs of Texas classrooms*. This year, supplemental math products will be part of the over 300 products for review from 34 unique publishers, including:


* K–6 full-subject, tier-one English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) and Spanish Language Arts and Reading (SLAR)
* K–3 partial-subject, tier-one English and Spanish phonics
* K–12 full-subject and supplemental tier-one Mathematics

The public is encouraged to view the posted instructional materials, submit written comments, report suspected factual errors and flag any suitability concerns they may have with the products. *The public comment period ends Tuesday, July 1, 2025. *Publishers are required to respond to public comments submitted before the deadline. Comments received after the deadline will be shared with SBOE members to support their decision–making but are not subject to a response from the publisher. All feedback will be reviewed alongside findings from the professional review teams at upcoming SBOE meetings.

 

In addition, the SBOE will hold a public hearing to give the public an opportunity to provide oral testimony about the materials under review for IMRA Cycle 2025. The list of materials will be voted on by the board at the November meeting.

 

To see the materials submitted for review and to access comment forms and SBOE-approved IMRA rubrics, the public can visit sboe.texas.gov/imra [ [link removed] ].

 

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Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation Conference

Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation Conference which is held on *July 30-31, 2025*, is *open for registration*.  Join education professionals from across the state for this exciting *FREE virtual conference* as we explore *child find, evaluation, ARD supports, transition, and early childhood special education (ECSE) topics*. The Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation conference provides expertise, best practices, and networking supports to assist public school district and charter schools. *Participants can earn up to 12 continuing education units (CEUs)!*

 

*Intended Audience*:


* Administrators
* ARD committee managers/facilitators
* Dyslexia specialists and teachers, including providers of dyslexia instruction
* ECSE specialists and teachers
* Educational Diagnosticians
* School Psychologists
* Special Education Teachers
* Speech-Language Pathologists
* Transition specialists and teachers

 

*Register Now* [ [link removed] ]


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TEA Engagement Opportunities

*We are always looking for ways to connect with our partners in the field!*

From site visits, to review opportunities, to focus groups, there are numerous ways to connect with TEA and support the field of education. *If you are interested in participating in engagement opportunities, sign up by clicking the button below.  *

 

*Sign Up Here* [ [link removed] ]


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State Assessment Educator Item Review Committees

Each year the *TEA invites groups of Texas educators to provide feedback on the development of state assessments* (STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, and TELPAS) through educator committees across all assessed grades and content areas. Developing high-quality, aligned questions relies on the expertise and experience of Texas educators. Participants collaborate with other educators from across the state to review and approve each potential question for state assessments. *TEA is currently accepting applications from all districts to participate in item review committees all subjects and grade levels*. 

 

If you know of any educators (including yourself!) who might be interested in participating in these review meetings, please encourage them to apply using the link below.* Meetings are typically held during the spring and summer*. If selected, an invite will be sent with all the logistical information. 

 

The commitment is generally* two to three days in Austin with all travel, accommodations, and substitute coverage paid for by TEA*. All participants will *earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits*. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

 

*Apply Now* [ [link removed] ]


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Qualified Monitors and Conservators Needed

TEA is looking to grow its pool of qualified monitors and conservators to help the state’s school districts and charter networks remedy issues related to *governance, accreditation, academic performance, financial accountability, or other special investigations.* Monitors, conservators, and management teams provide leadership, guidance, and support to school systems working to overcome historical systemic challenges and operate effectively and sustainably to improve student outcomes. Monitors and conservators are *appointed*, as needed, by the Commissioner of Education.

 

If you are interested and would like access to the job description [ [link removed] ], would like to recommend a colleague, or apply for a monitor and conservator appointment [ [link removed] ] by the commissioner, please visit www.tea.texas.gov/mc-appointments [ [link removed] ]_ _for more information.

 

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SPEDTEX

Join the SPEDTex mailing list [ [link removed] ] or
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Job Listings


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