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Texas Education Agency










*September 2025*




*Special Education Newsletter**
*






student responding to teacher with AT device





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Announcements


*Cyclical Monitoring 2025–2026 *

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) continues its six-year cycle of comprehensive monitoring for all Local Education Agencies (LEAs) through the Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS) system. The Cyclical Monitoring process is designed to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations while promoting improved outcomes for students with disabilities. 

 

*Key Dates by Group (**Each cycle includes three groups):* 

*Group 1 (Oct–Dec 2025):* 


* Student File Review: October–November
* Stakeholder Survey: Closes December 5 
* Findings Report: January 2026 

*Group 2 (Jan–Mar 2026):* 


* Student File Review: February–April
* Stakeholder Survey: Closes April 10 
* Findings Report: April 2026 

*Group 3 (Apr–Jun 2026):* 


* Student File Review: April–June 
* Stakeholder Survey: Closes June 22
* Findings Report: July 2026 

 

For more information on the Cyclical Review process be sure to visit the Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS) | Texas Education Agency [ [link removed] ] page and review the  Cyclical Review Guide [ [link removed] ].

 

*Reminder: Nonpublic Mandatory Reporting & APEX Submissions*

As we move further into the school year, we want to remind all stakeholders of the *state mandatory reporting requirements for nonpublic day and residential placements*. Please ensure timely submissions through the TEAL application *APEX*, which is now open for both *day and residential placements*.

 

Additionally, updated resources have been posted to the Nonpublic webpage [ [link removed] ], and we strongly encourage LEAs and ESCs to review them. Key resources include:


* Nonpublic Day and Residential Start-of-Year Updates [ [link removed] ]  [ [link removed] ]
* Notification and APEX Application Guidance [ [link removed] ]  [ [link removed] ]
* How to Complete APEX Applications [ [link removed] ]  [ [link removed] ]
* Notification Requirements for Funding [ [link removed] ]

For questions about the nonpublic day and residential placements, please email [email protected]_

 

Check out the latest To the Administrator Addressed Correspondence Related to Special Education

*September 18, 2025*


* *10-Day Review Period for 2025 Confidential Results Driven Accountability Data [ [link removed] ]:* Informs LEAs of the 10-business-day window to review their confidential 2025 Results Driven Accountability (RDA) data, including the LEA report, data download, and significant disproportionality (SD) data, available in the Accountability application of the Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL). The data will be accessible on September 18, 2025. The review window opens on September 19, 2025, and closes on October 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
* *School Health and Related Services Reporting Requirement [ [link removed] ]:* Describes a reporting requirement applicable to all school systems and fiscal agents that received or administered funds awarded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B (IDEA-B) grant program for the 2024–2025 school year
* *HB 2 Implementation: Special Education Program and Funding Updates [ [link removed] ]:* Provides updates on program and funding changes affecting special education and related services as a result of HB 2 (89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025)

*If you'd like more reminders like this and quarterly state guidance updates, sign up for SPED updates on Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ] and follow the State Guidance topic.* We'll be sending out timely information and quarterly newsletters to keep you up to date! 






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Upcoming Dates


* *October 1-14: *Application window for the Small and/or Rural Schools Evaluation Certification Reimbursement Program "(see Department News section for more information) "
* *October 3: *Beginning-of-year application deadline (for nonpublic day or residential continuing placements, summer 2025 placements, and August 2025 placements); All other APEX day and residential applications are due within 30 days of student placement/change of placement.
* *October 31:* Last day for LEAs and ESCs to apply for the Empowering ECSE Educators to Improve Student Outcomes Grant Cycle 2 for school year 2025-2026 "(see Department News section for more information) "
* *October 31:* Official end of Learning Ally's Race to Read competition "(see Department News section for more information) "

*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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student who is deaf
*Did you know... *

that you can find the state of Texas Disability Proclamations for 2025 on the Office of the Texas Governor's website [ [link removed] ]? Past proclamations include Deaf Awareness week from September 22-27. Upcoming dates in October include Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Day, White Cane Day, and Disability Employment Awareness Month. Visit the website and learn more about these proclamations and search the internet for how you can get involved. You can also visit Texas SPED Support to find related resources, such as The Texas Transition and Employment Guide which provides information on statewide services and programs that assist in the transition to life outside the public school system for students enrolled in special education programs and their parents. 

 



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Shout Out Region 11

The ESC Region 11 Special Programs team *provided every LEA in the region with at least one Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Basics Toolkit designed specifically for students with intellectual disabilities*. These toolkits make CPR and AED instruction accessible, hands-on, and meaningful, ensuring access to the required instruction specified by 19 TAC §74.38 [ [link removed] ]. While this requirement may be waived for a student who, due to a disability, is unable to complete the requirement, *these toolkits create a pathway for "every" student to gain life-saving skills that open doors to future success*.

 

As part of this initiative, Region 11 made CPR manikin families, AED trainers, practice lungs, valves, and masks available for LEAs to check out to enhance student instruction and practice. They are also exploring options to offer CPR certification for special educators who teach students with complex access needs.

 

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image of SILs from across the state
Welcome to the New Strategic Integration Liaisons

We’re proud to announce that the inaugural statewide 2024–2025 Strategic Integration Liaison (SIL) cohort *successfully completed certification and engaged over 74 LEAs* in the SIL process. Their dedication to excellence and continuous learning has been truly inspiring.

We launched the 2025–2026 year with our new cohort of SILs across ECSs, and they are already demonstrating *strong engagement, authentic collaboration, and a shared commitment to our mission*: driving district systems-level change to improve outcomes for all students, including those with disabilities.





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In This Issue


* CHECK IT OUT! New Grant and Reimbursement Opportunities [ #link_11 ]
* Connecting to Community Supports: Information for Parents About the LIDDA and Medicaid Waiver Programs [ #link_8 ]
* Transition and Employment Designee (TED) Community of Practice (COP) [ #link_12 ]
* Standards-based Individualized Education Program Process Training [ #link_10 ]
* Curious About MTSS? Start Here! [ #link_13 ]
* Data Collection Guidance for Secondary Transition [ #link_5 ]
* New Resources for SPPI 7 and 13 Data Submission [ #link_7 ]
* The Literacy Solution Supporting Educators and Empowering Students [ #link_9 ]
* Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing   [ #link_6 ]
* TEA Engagement Opportunities [ #link_1 ]
* State Assessment Educator Item Review Committees [ #link_2 ]
* Qualified Monitors and Conservators Needed [ #link_3 ]
* NATIONAL NEWS [ #link_4 ]

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Texas SPED Support
Monthly Spotlight:

It's that time of year again - *take the annual Texas SPED Support user survey [ [link removed] ]*! Since launching Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ] in 2023, we've surveyed users annually with the intent of enhancing this website to make it work for you. Based on responses from the last survey, we've updated the accuracy of the search function, improved the filtering functionality, and will soon announce improvements to the bookmarking feature. Take a *few minutes* today to tell us what you think. The *survey will be open through the end of October*. 

Follow on Facebook & Instagram: @TexasSPEDSupport

Follow on Twitter: @TXSPEDSupport






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DEPARTMENT NEWS

 

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CHECK IT OUT! New Grant and Reimbursement Opportunities

Did you know that Texas SPED Support launched a new Opportunities tab [ [link removed] ] on September 15th? Here you can explore opportunities designed to help Texas school systems grow and sustain a strong pipeline of qualified special education professionals. *Find grant opportunities, certification and licensing support, skill-building courses, and recruitment tools* tailored to meet the needs of districts, campuses, and educators working in high-need areas.

 

Empowering ECSE Educators to Improve Student Outcomes Grant Cycle 2 for School Year 2025-2026

We are excited to announce that the Empowering ECSE Educators to Improve Student Outcomes grant cycle 2 for school year 2025-2026 *application will open September 15, 2025 – October 31, 2025*. This grant will enable Education Service Center (ESC) 10 to administer a program *providing funding support for local educational agencies (LEAs) and ESCs seeking training and certification for ECSE professionals during the 2025-2026 school year*. Trainings will focus on behavior management and inclusive opportunities and will increase ECSE educators' ability to improve student outcomes for children with disabilities, ages 3 through 5 and not in kindergarten. LEAs also can apply for funding through the program to support prekindergarten teachers with dual certification in special education and general education.

 

"*Please note:* With the passage of House Bill 2 (HB2), educators pursuing certification in Special Education or Bilingual Education are eligible for financial support. Specifically, the certification exam fee for their first attempt on the associated content pedagogy exam will be waived, as well as the certification application fee. This means that when registering for the exam or submitting the certification application, the cost will be $0. ""Due to this change, the Empowering ECSE Educators to Improve Student Outcomes Grant – Cycle 2, reimbursement is available only for the Early Childhood: PK–3 (292) test [ [link removed] ]."

 

For more information please visit the Empowering ECSE Educators to Improve Student Outcomes Grant Cycle 2 site [ [link removed] ] on the Texas SPED Support website!

 

*Apply Now* [ [link removed] ]


Small and/or Rural Evaluation Certification Reimbursement Program

Are you a *current school staff member interested in becoming an Educational Diagnostician or School Psychologist*? The Small and/or Rural Evaluation Certification Reimbursement Program (ECRP) is here to help! 

 

This *program provides financial support for certification programs*, helping you advance your career while making a meaningful impact in Texas schools. In return, *participants commit to serving for at least three years in a small and/or rural school *system upon completion. 

 

Click the button below to find our more and apply during the *October 1-14, 2025, application window*. 

 

*Find Out More* [ [link removed] ]


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Connecting to Community Supports: Information for Parents About the LIDDA and Medicaid Waiver Programs

A new resource has been published on Texas SPED Support to provide information as required by House Bill 1188, passed during the 89th (2025) Texas legislative session. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, at the first admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee meeting during which the individualized education program (IEP) is developed *for a student with an intellectual disability or a developmental delay*, *schools must provide the parent or legal guardian with information about services and public benefits provided by the local intellectual and developmental disability authority (LIDDA) that serves the county in which the student resides, including support from the LIDDA to understand Medicaid waiver programs*.

 

Schools will use the Connecting to Community Supports resource to share this required information by adding local contact information in the appropriate fields. Check out this helpful new resource!

 

*Check it Out Now* [ [link removed] ]


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Transition and Employment Designee (TED) Community of Practice (COP)

The *application to join the TED CoP is now available*! This CoP allows educators in the TED role to *explore requirements and best practices* for implementation in their LEA. Through *virtual meetings* and *online resources*, each CoP member will have *opportunities to connect* with leaders in the field and with other TEDs.

 

Educators who are listed in AskTED [ [link removed] ] as the TED for their LEA may submit an application using the link on Texas SPED Support.

 

*Apply to Join* [ [link removed] ]


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Standards-based Individualized Education Program Process Training

Participants may take the *updated* _Standards-Based Individualized Education Program (SB IEP) Process Training [ [link removed] ]_ in person beginning in October 2025, by finding a trainer at their regional ESC. 

 

The intent of this training is to provide participants with an understanding of the SB IEP process for *gathering student dat*a, including the full individual and initial evaluation (FIIE), *developing the student’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance* (PLAAFP) statement, *drafting measurable annual goals* with short-term objectives/benchmarks, if appropriate, *determining what specially designed instruction is needed*, and *creating a data collection system for monitoring progress* on the annual goals.

 

This course is *approved for 12 hours of continuing education credit by the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA)*. TSHA approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures. Instructions for claiming TSHA continuing education credit will be provided at the end of this course. 

 

*Find a Trainer* [ [link removed] ]


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Curious About MTSS? Start Here!

If you're interested in learning more about "Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)", the *MTSS Introduction Module* [ [link removed] ] is the perfect starting point. This module includes *6 foundational training pathways* designed to support effective implementation of the MTSS framework.

 

There are two flexible ways to complete these courses:


* *Join a Live Training*: Connect with an MTSS specialist in your region to participate in a synchronous training session. You can find contact details by visiting *View Trainers by Region* [ [link removed] ].
* *Learn at Your Own Pace*: Prefer self-paced learning? Simply click *View Course* [ [link removed] ] to enroll in the asynchronous version and complete the training on your own schedule.

Whether you're new to MTSS or looking to strengthen your understanding, this module offers a solid foundation to build on.

 

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Data Collection Guidance for Secondary Transition

State Performance Plan Indicator *(SPPI) 13 measures the percent of youth aged 16 and above with an IEP that includes certain required elements for transition planning*. The Data Collection Guidance for Secondary Transition has been redesigned for school year 2025-2026. This *resource may be used by school staff to find evidence of compliance with secondary transition requirements in the IEP*.  Explore this resource to find an overview of the changes to data submission for SPPI 13 and support to determine compliance for each of the eight items on the SPPI 13 checklist.

 

*Go to Guidance* [ [link removed] ]


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New Resources for SPPI 7 and 13 Data Submission

For the 2025–2026 school year, the TEA has *updated the data submission process for State Performance Plan Indicators (SPPI) 7 (Preschool Outcomes) and SPPI 13 (Secondary Transition)*. These indicators have transitioned from the legacy Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) application to the Special Education Data System (SPEDS) Summer submission in the Texas Student Data System (TSDS).

* *

To assist LEAs, the TEA has released *two new guidance documents that outline key differences between the legacy TEAL collection and the updated TSDS SPEDS Summer submission*. These resources are designed to help LEAs understand the submission requirements and procedures.


* SPPI 7 TEAL to SPEDS Transition Guide [ [link removed] ]
* SPPI 13 TEAL to SPEDS Transition Guide [ [link removed] ]

For questions or support, please contact your regional education service center TSDS Champion (ESCs 1-10 [ [link removed] ] and ESCs 11-20 [ [link removed] ]) or email [email protected].

 

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The Literacy Solution Supporting Educators and Empowering Students

Learning Ally partners with you to help eligible students build confidence and access the same content as their peers.

 

*This October, Learning Ally Offers:*


* *Race to Read* [ [link removed] ]*:* Continues through October 31st! Check out the Race to Read website for new book lists and classroom resources.
* *Spotlight on Dyslexia Diving Deeper Series* [ [link removed] ]*:* Explore topics like immersive dyslexia simulations, the International Dyslexia Association’s new definition of dyslexia, and advanced bilingual dyslexia assessment case studies.
* *Educator Coaching Sessions* [ [link removed] ]*:* Free sessions offered through November to help you set up accounts and get students reading.

New to Learning Ally? Get started today by enrolling for your TEA funded account through the *Educator Access Form* [ [link removed] ].

 

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Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing  

*186 Special Education Specialist EC-12*

Candidates who took the 186 Special Education Specialist Exam [ [link removed] ] through September 28, 2025, can expect their scores to report on October 10, 2025. Scheduled score reporting dates can be found on the Pearson Scores [ [link removed] ] page.  

 

*161 Special Education EC-12 or 163 Special Education Supplemental exam*

161 and 163 are no longer offered. The last day to apply and recommend candidates using the 161 Special Education EC-12 or 163 Special Education Supplemental exam is September 1, 2026. 

 

*Online Representative Exams for 185 Deafblind EC-12 and 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12*

Aligned with the September launch of both the 185 Deafblind EC-12 and 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 exams, a new, interactive format for Representative Exams is now available. All educator preparation programs (EPPs) need to be onboarded into this new system. Please contact [email protected] for assistance with account setup. Deafblind EC–12 (185) and Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) are currently the only fields available in this new online format. EPPs can still purchase Representative Exams for other available examination fields in a PDF format. Additional exam resources can be found on the Educator Testing [ [link removed] ] site. 

 

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TEA Engagement Opportunities

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

Whether through site visits, collaborative review opportunities, or 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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NATIONAL NEWS

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Data-Based Individualization Hypothesis Development Tool

This new interactive tool [ [link removed] ] is designed by the National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII) to assist educators in developing a hypothesis to explain why a student has not made adequate progress in an academic intervention. It also helps identify next steps for intensifying the intervention.  

 

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Data-Based Individualization 101 Webinar: Getting Started with Intensive Intervention

Are you new to data-based individualization (DBI)? Are you struggling to determine how support students who don't respond to the intervention and supports that you are providing? This webinar [ [link removed] ] explains the rationale for using intensive intervention, walks participants through the five steps of the DBI process, and highlights practical lessons learned from implementation efforts across the country.

 

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Principal Navigator: Strengthening Services for Students with Disabilities

The "Strengthening Services for Students with Disabilities Navigator" [ [link removed] ]was developed by the Lead IDEA Center in collaboration with NCII and the PROGRESS Center to give principals actionable strategies to improve classroom teaching practices and enhance service delivery for students with disabilities.

 

This tool offers strategies for tackling common challenges and emphasizes the principal’s role in setting up a schoolwide system for tracking progress, identifying students who are not meeting IEP goals, and guiding data-driven interventions. 

 

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New Tool from the MTSS Center

The MTSS Team Audit Activity [ [link removed] ] is designed to assist educators in evaluating the teaming structures for MTSS implementation. It is used to integrate teams, improve efficiency, and determine a suitable teaming structure for MTSS.  

 

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New Resource to Help Educators Create Accessible Content  

Looking for resources to help educators make their digital materials accessible to all students? Discover *nine essential skills for creating accessible instructional content [ [link removed] ]* that remove barriers for students with disabilities. These practical techniques from the National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials & Instruction (*NCADEMI [ [link removed] ]*) work across your favorite authoring tools from document editors to learning management systems and multimedia authoring platforms.

 

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New Video from Louisiana DeafBlind Project

The Louisiana DeafBlind Project recently released a *video [ [link removed] ]* explaining the important role that interveners have in the success of students who are deafblind. Learn more about the project *here [ [link removed] ]*.  

 

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SPEDTEX

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Job Listings


Child Find and Evaluation Coordinator (Education Specialist V) [ [link removed] ]

 

Early Childhood Intervention and Special Education Specialist (Education Specialist V) [ [link removed] ]






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The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

 

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