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Texas Education Agency










*January 2026*




*Special Education Newsletter**
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Announcements


*Special Education Funding Update*

*House Bill 2 (HB 2)* introduces a new approach to funding special education in Texas. Instead of allocating funds based on instructional settings, the new model will connect funding to the type and amount of services each student needs. This change is designed to better align resources with student supports across the state.

 

The *Texas Education Agency (TEA)* is requesting your input to help inform the service tiers and groups that will guide this model. Your feedback will play an important role in shaping a structure that supports students, families, educators, and communities.

 

We invite you to complete the survey, available in English and Spanish. The survey will close on *February 5, 2026*. Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective.

 

*Take Survey Now* [ [link removed] ]


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*Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for Students with Disabilities*

Senate Bill (SB) 2 established the option for parents to obtain Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for approved education expenses. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) is implementing the legislation by launching the _Texas Education Freedom Accounts program [ [link removed] ]_ (referred to as TEFA, as the program, and EFAs, as individual accounts) starting in the 2026–2027 school year. 

 

The CPA *expects to open applications for the TEFA program on February 4, 2026. The expected closing date is March 17, 2026*. These anticipated dates are at the discretion of the CPA and can be verified through CPA’s TEFA website at _https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/ [ [link removed] ]_.  

 

If a child has been identified by the child’s admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee as a child with a disability (i.e., has a disability recognized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and a need for special education and related services), the child is eligible to receive through the TEFA program the amount that the school district would have received in state special education funding for the child for the school year preceding the school year in which the child initially enrolls in the TEFA program up to $30,000. These decisions are based on a child’s individualized education program (IEP) developed by their ARD committee. 

 

Because the CPA’s TEFA program application window is open for a limited amount of time, *it is critical for each school system to upload each child’s IEP in a timely manner when applicable* [see the "Actions Required of School Systems" section from the TAA from January 29, 2026 to determine when an upload is necessary]. If a child has already been determined eligible for special education and related services, the EFA IEP is the only item needed for the parent’s application process. School systems should ensure they develop and upload these IEPs prior to the APEX-ESA and the CPA’s application closing date. 

 

*For additional information: *


* January 29, 2026, TAA: [ [link removed] ]Updated Guidance: Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) [ [link removed] ]
* SB 2 Guidance Document [ [link removed] ], updated on January 29, 2026
* ESA and Special Education Guidance Slide Deck [ [link removed] ], updated on January 29, 2026
* Comptroller information: _Texas Education Freedom Accounts [ [link removed] ]_
* November 20, 2025, _TAA: Senate Bill 2: Education Savings Accounts and Children with Disabilities [ [link removed] ]_

 

For more information about the APEX-ESA process for school systems, view the APEX-ESA Guidance Document [ [link removed] ] or the APEX-ESA Slide Deck Guidance. [ [link removed] ]

 

*View APEX-ESA Webinar* [ [link removed] ]






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Upcoming Dates


* ****January 23 – February 23: ****Public comment period for several Commissioner of Education rules "(see Department News for more information) "
* *February 4 - March 17*: Anticipated application window for the TEFA program "(see Announcements for more information)" 
* *February 5: *Closing date for the public feedback survey regarding the service intensity funding system for special education "(see Announcements for more information)" 
* *February 10: *Innovative Services to Students with Autism grant application deadline "(see Department News for more information) "
* *February 19 at 11:59 PM:* Deadline for submitting SPPI 14 Post-school Outcomes data in TSDS "(see Department News for more information) "
* *March 1:* SPP Application fully decommissioned and removed from TEAL "(see Department News for more information) "
* *April 10 - 11: *Imagination Texas statewide event [ [link removed] ] in Fort Worth, Tx. for high school students who are deaf and hard of hearing

 

*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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*Did you know... *

*the late theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking, was born in January? *

Stephen Hawking was one of the most brilliant minds of our time—a world-renowned physicist and cosmologist who transformed our understanding of the universe. Diagnosed with a rare form of motor neuron disease at age 21, doctors initially gave him only a few years to live. Despite losing almost all physical abilities, Hawking refused to let his disability define him. Using a wheelchair and a computerized speech device, he continued his groundbreaking research and wrote best-selling books.

 

Hawking’s life reminds us that disability does not limit potential, and every individual has unique strengths and possibilities. By providing the right tools and support, we can help all learners—regardless of ability—discover their potential and thrive.





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In This Issue


* TSDS SPPI 14 Post-school Outcomes Submission Due Date [ #link_7 ]
* 2025 SPPI 14 Survey Report Now Available [ #link_11 ]
* SPP Application in TEAL to Be Retired March 1, 2026 [ #link_8 ]
* Rulemaking Updates [ #link_12 ]
* Texas Educators: Your Experience Can Help Build Meaningful Access to HQIM for Every Texas Student! [ #link_1 ]
* Updated ARD Committee Manager Training [ #link_2 ]
* 2026-2028 Innovative Services to Students With Autism Grant Award [ #link_3 ]
* Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant: Testimonials From the Field [ #link_10 ]
* Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Collection [ #link_4 ]
* Learn the Latest from Texas ABLE [ #link_5 ]
* Level Up Reading: Final Month of the Great Reading Games! [ #link_6 ]
* NATIONAL NEWS [ #link_9 ]





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DEPARTMENT NEWS

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TSDS SPPI 14 Post-school Outcomes Submission Due Date

The *deadline for submitting State Performance Plan Indicator (SPPI) 14 Post-school Outcomes data in the Texas Student Data System (TSDS) is* *February 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM*. This collection includes contact information for students with disabilities who exited an LEA during the 2024–25 school year. SPPI 14 meets the federal public reporting requirement on post-school outcomes for the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR), as outlined in 20 U.S.C. §1416(a)(3)(B).

For assistance:


* LEAs should contact their ESC TSDS SPPI 14 Champion or TSDS Technical Champion (ESCs 1–10 [ [link removed] ] or 11–20 [ [link removed] ]).
* Additional resources are available on the TEA SPPI 14 [ [link removed] ] webpage and the TSDS SPPI 14 [ [link removed] ] webpage.
* For technical support, submit a TSDS Incident Management System (TIMS) ticket through the TSDS Portal.

 

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2025 SPPI 14 Survey Report Now Available

Results of the post-school outcomes survey conducted during summer 2025 are now available. Required by SPPI 14, *this survey provides a clear measure of post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities as they transition from high school to adult life*. You can learn about SPPI 14 by visiting the collection of videos on Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ], or watching the TEA Special Education webinar [ [link removed] ] that was recorded on January 20, 2026. Reports are available on the Post-School Outcomes page on the TEA website [ [link removed] ], including the results of the 2025 survey and prior years.

 

*Read Survey Report* [ [link removed] ]


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SPP Application in TEAL to Be Retired March 1, 2026

Beginning with the 2025–26 school year, the SPP Application in the Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) was no longer used for collecting SPPI data. *Local educational agencies (LEAs) must now submit data for the following indicators through the TSDS Special Education Data System (SPEDS) Summer Submission*:


* SPPI 7: Preschool Outcomes
* SPPI 11: Timely Initial Evaluation (11A) and Eligibility Determination (11B)
* SPPI 12: Early Childhood Transition
* SPPI 13: Secondary Transition

*On March 1, 2026, the SPP Application will be fully decommissioned and removed from TEAL.*

 

Currently, the SPP TEAL application houses historic data for:


* SPPI 7 and SPPI 13: 2020–21 through 2023–24
* SPPI 11 and SPPI 12*:* 2018–19 through 2020–21

*LEAs should download any needed historic data before March 1, 2026*. After this date, data may be requested through a public information request (PIR).

 

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Rulemaking Updates

*Several commissioner of education rule amendments are currently progressing through the rulemaking process, with public comment opening soon.* To better understand how the rulemaking process works and how to submit a comment during the designated window, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on Public Comment Process for Proposed Rulemaking [ [link removed] ]. Proposed rules are available on the Proposed Commissioner of Education Rules webpage [ [link removed] ], Proposed State Board of Education Rules webpage [ [link removed] ], and Proposed State Board for Educator Certification Rules webpage [ [link removed] ].

 

*The public comment period for the following Commissioner of Education rules are currently scheduled to open from January 23 – February 23, 2026:*


* 19 TAC §89.1197, State Individualized Education Program Facilitation
* 19 TAC §89.1195, Special Education Complaint Resolution
* 19 TAC §89.1175, Representation in Special Education Due Process Hearings
* 19 TAC §89.1150, General Provisions

 

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Texas Educators: Your Experience Can Help Build Meaningful Access to HQIM for Every Texas Student!

TNTP, a national education nonprofit, in partnership with TEA, is launching a crucial initiative to ensure every student in Texas – including those identified within special populations as students with disabilities, emergent bilingual students, and dually identified students (those receiving both special education services and emergent bilingual) – has access to rigorous, grade-level Tier 1 instruction every day.

 

We are *looking for schools to participate in a field research study on meaningful access*. Meaningful Access ensures that students with disabilities who receive special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have equal opportunities to engage with and make progress in the general education curriculum and environment. *By participating in this study, your school system will help inform the development of statewide instructional supports and shape future resources to strengthen high quality instructional materials (HQIM) implementation for all students*, including those identified within special populations.

 

If your school system is interested in participating, register using this link [link removed] [ [link removed] ] or email [email protected] to ask questions and learn more about what participation involves. 

 

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Updated ARD Committee Manager Training

TEA's ARD Committee Manager Training, a self-paced online course, has been *updated for the 2025-2026 school year. Updates includ*e:


* Per Texas Education Code §29.030 [ [link removed] ], which was effective starting with the 2025-2026 school year, at the first ARD committee meeting during which a student's IEP is developed, a school district shall provide the parent of a student who has an intellectual disability or a developmental delay 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 services under waiver programs.​
* The Additional Days School Year (ADSY) initiative provides formula funding to support school systems with adding up to 30 additional instructional days (beyond a minimum of 175 days) at eligible campuses for grades PK – 8 and questions and answers regarding special education services during ADSY instructional days
* Updated SPPI 13 Data Collection Information and LEA Roles in the SPPI 13 Data Collection and Submission

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.

 

*Take Course Now* [ [link removed] ]


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2026-2028 Innovative Services to Students With Autism Grant Award

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to *increase capacity across Texas schools to implement innovative programs that effectively serve students with autism* ages 3-21. This grant is *available to Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools*, with priority given to collaborations across school systems and to small and rural school systems. The *application is open now and will close on February 10, 2026.* Visit the Texas SPED Support Opportunities page for additional information.

 

*Find Out More* [ [link removed] ]


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

The 2024-2026 Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant was *awarded to 10 LEAs* across Texas and has *directly impacted 33 LEAs* due to many grantees collaborating across multiple LEAs. *Read about the impact this grant has had on Fort Sam Houston ISD Military COOP:*

 

"Our TEA Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant has been a total gamechanger for leveling up our students' social skills."

 

"Employing interactive game systems, the grant team supports K-12 students across our three military districts - Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Field, and Lackland ISDs. Our primary goal is to enhance social skills, digital citizenship, and career readiness for students with autism by utilizing interactive technologies and game-based learning principles. We focus on building upon student strengths—particularly their affinity for gaming and technology—to create dynamic environments where they can practice essential skills like self-advocacy, teamwork, and problem-solving."

 

"The growth in this area, and particularly in the realm of scholastic E-sports, has provided our students with autism a true community of peers where they can work on their social skills without the pressure of forced social interactions, instead gaining confidence by sharing skills, abilities, and passions to help them grow in their peer to peer relationships naturally and organically."

 

"To further our STEM and career-readiness goals, we are integrating 3D printers and project-based STEM engineering kits to provide hands-on experiences in design, engineering, and coding. These tools are used to host community-wide events like "game jams," which supports our growing student business through our 18+/College & Career classroom, and build simulated career experiences, fostering both student skills and greater community awareness."

 

"All in all, we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to impact our school districts through this grant and look forward to continuing to level up students' social skills through gaming!"

 

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Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Collection

The Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Collection is a *key resource for school systems working to continuously improve instruction for students with disabilities*. Do you have special or general educators who need support in understanding SDI and its application within high quality instructional materials (HQIM) like Bluebonnet Learning? The SDI Guide provides this foundation and accompanying examples. Are you looking for a collaboration opportunity between instructional coaches and special education staff? There are SDI Field User Guides for a variety of HQIM that bring SDI and specific resources together, allowing staff to leverage their own expertise and build capacity. Would you prefer a quick refresher on SDI? The SDI Quick Learn video gets it done in under 15 minutes. The variety of supports available in the SDI collection ensures there is something for everyone!

 

*Go to Collection* [ [link removed] ]


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Learn the Latest from Texas ABLE

The Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience (Texas ABLE) Program [ [link removed] ] was* established to encourage and assist individuals with disabilities and their families in saving funds to pay for many disability-related expenses critical to maintaining the individuals’ health, independence, and quality of life*. The Texas ABLE Program is established and maintained by the Texas Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board, [ [link removed] ] with assistance from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

 

Check out the January edition of Texas ABLE Connections — a quarterly newsletter with important information about the program. This edition celebrates an exciting new year for ABLE accounts. *Check out these topics*:


* Big Changes in 2026: Expanded Eligibility and New Contribution Limit
* Outreach Update: Connecting with Communities Across Texas
* Getting Started with Texas ABLE
* Inside Look at Qualified Disability Expenses

Get all the details in this issue!

 

*Get Newsletter* [ [link removed] ]


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Level Up Reading: Final Month of the Great Reading Games!

Jump into the *final month* of the Great Reading Games competition! TEA is partnering with Learning Ally to provide* free human-read audiobooks* for K-12 public school systems. What better way to use this free access than to spark competition?* Encourage students to read and rack up points* in the Games; every page counts! Find strategies and support here: Learning Ally Great Reading Games [ [link removed] ]. 

 

Attending the* TCASE Conference*?* Stop by booth 70 *to say hello and learn about our latest resources!

 

"New to Learning Ally? Get started by enrolling for your free account through the ""Educator Access Form" [ [link removed] ]"."

 

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NATIONAL NEWS

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History and Impact of IDEA

In honoring the 50th anniversary of IDEA, the Department also published a *video* [ [link removed] ] describing the history and the impact of the law, and OSEP published a series of *Fast Facts* [ [link removed] ] celebrating 50 years of IDEA. The Fast Facts series shows the consistent and significant growth in the number of children with disabilities served since the passage of the law, the growing recognition of the needs of students with disabilities and the expanding reach of special education services over the years, and the remarkable increases in the number of children with disabilities served in the general education setting and graduating with a regular diploma. 

 

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New Tools for Digital Accessibility Success 

The National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction (NCADEMI) has launched a suite of exciting resources guiding states and school districts through building a robust system for digital accessibility. At the heart of these resources are the Quality Indicators for the Provision and Use of Accessible Materials in PreK-12 Systems. Implementation support includes a Readiness Protocol, Self-Assessment Tools, and free technical assistance. *Learn more about the indicators/resources.* [ [link removed] ]

 

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Authentic Choice-Making for Children and Youth Who Are Deafblind

Educators and families of children who are deafblind often use choice-making as a valuable learning opportunity but helping a child improve their choice-making skills takes careful planning and consideration. To learn what’s involved, see the latest publication from the National Center on Deafblindness, *“Authentic Choice-Making for Children and Youth Who Are Deafblind.” * [ [link removed] ]

 

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SPEDTEX

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


TEA's Office of Special Populations and Student Supports is *seeking a **Special Education Performance Diagnostic Education Specialist, V [ [link removed] ]** to join our team*. This specialist will play a critical role in* enhancing the development and implementation of a robust, data-informed continuous improvement diagnostic tool for special education programs *across Texas.

 

Qualified individuals passionate about improving outcomes for students with disabilities and building tools that support strategic planning are encouraged to apply!






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