Resources

Education Laws

Since the 1960s, there has been a virtual avalanche of federal legislation that relates directly or indirectly to individuals with disabilities, particularly children and youth. Use the links below to explore several of the most influential laws:

• IDEA | Sobre la Ley IDEA
• ESSA (replaces NCLB)
• Section 504 | Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973
• The ADA | ADA: El Acta para los Norteamericanos con Discapacidades

Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-3)

Early intervention is an effective way to help very young children (birth to the third birthday) catch up or address specific developmental concerns as soon as possible in their lives. Early intervention services are authorized under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. To learn more about these vital services, explore the topics in our resources for Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-3):

• Overview of Early Intervention
• Key Terms to Know in Early Intervention
• Parent Notification and Consent in Early Intervention
• Writing the IFSP for Your Child
• Developmental Milestones | Hitos del Desarrollo y Crecimiento
• Providing Early Intervention Services in Natural Environments

In Spanish | En español – Ayuda para los Bebés Hasta Su Tercer Cumpleaños

Children & Young Adults (3 to 26 years)

The education of children with disabilities is a top national priority. IDEA sets high standards for their achievement and guides how special help and services are made available in schools to address their individual needs. To learn more about these vital services, explore the topics in our resources for Children & Young Adults (3 to 26 Years):

• 10 Basic Steps in Special Education
• Key Terms to Know in Special Education
• Questions Often Asked by Parents about Special Education
• Parental Rights under IDEA
• Special Education Services for Preschoolers with Disabilities
• Evaluating Children for Disability
• All About the IEP
• Placement Issues
• Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students
• Addressing Behavior Issues
• Transition to Adulthood
• Resolving Disputes Between Parents and Schools

More Resources:

Evaluations

• Scheduling the IEP Meeting and Notifying Parents
• The Right to Disagree | Derecho de No Estar de Acuerdo
• El Proceso de Determinar la Elegibilidad del Niño
• Requesting an Independent Evaluation for Your Child | Cómo Solicitar una Evaluación Independiente de Su Niño
• Right to Obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation  | Derecho de Obtener una Evaluación Educativa Independiente
• Right to Receive a Complete Explanation of IDEA’s Procedural Safeguards | Derecho a Recibir una Explicación Completa Sobre Todas las Garantías Procesales

IEPs

• The Short-and-Sweet IEP Overview | El Equipo y el Contenido del IEP
• Developing Your Child’s IEP
• The IEP Team | Más Sobre el Equipo del IEP
  
• When the IEP Team Meets | Reuniones para Desarrollar el IEP
• Contents of the IEP | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Present Levels | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Annual Goals | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Benchmarks or Short-Term Objectives
• Measuring & Reporting Progress | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Special Education | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Related Services | Servicios Relacionados
• Supplementary Aids and Services | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Extent of Nonparticipation | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Service Delivery | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Transition Planning | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Age of Majority | Sobre Cada Componente del IEP
• Special Factors in IEP Development
• Parental Rights under IDEA | Derechos de los Padres bajo IDEA
• Revisando el IEP
• Parental Right to Participate in Meetings | Derecho de los Padres de Participar en Reuniones
  
• Requesting a Meeting to Review Your Child’s IEP  | Cómo Solicitar una Reunión para Revisar el IEP de su Niño

Placement, Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) & Discipline

• Placement | Determinando la Ubicación del Niño
• LRE in Placement Decisions | La Definición de Ambiente Menos Restrictivo
• School Inclusion Resources
• Placement and School Discipline
• Discipline, in Detail 
• General Authority of School Personnel 
• School Authority in Special Circumstances 
• Manifestation Determination 
• Are Services Provided During Disciplinary Removals?
• Appeals and Expedited Due Process
• Child’s Placement During the Appeal Process
• What is Basis of Knowledge?
• Reporting Crimes
• Discipline: A Case Study

Behavior

• Behavior Expertise
• Behavior Assessment, Plans, and Positive Supports
• Behavior at Home
• Behavior at School
• Bullying

Transition

• How Can Parents Help with Transition?
• Preparing Your Child for Life
• Navigating Admissions to Colleges with Learning Disabilities
• Employment Connections
• Myth-Busting: Hiring Workers with Disabilities

Dispute Resolution, Complaints, Mediation, Due Process

• Five Options for Dispute Resolution | Cómo Resolver Disputas Entre Familias y Escuelas
• Informal Approaches to Resolving Disputes
• Filing a State Complaint | Queja Estatal
  
• State Complaint, in Detail
• Mediation | La Mediación 
• Mediation in Detail
• Due Process Complaints | Queja de Proceso Debido 
• The Resolution Process | El Proceso de Resolución
• Due Process Hearings | Audiencia de Proceso Legal Debido 
• The Due Process Hearing, in Detail | Apelación y Acción Civil

Fact Sheets

We’ve put together a collection of fact sheets on a variety of topics to help you along on your way to becoming an advocate for your child.  Topics include: accommodations, disabilities, advocacy, ARD process, assistive technology, and much more.  Visit the Fact Sheets page to view the full collection.

Statewide Webinars

Throughout the year, our statewide team host free statewide webinars covering a variety of topics and including a Q&A session at the end.  All of our webinars are free!  Visit the Statewide Webinars page for information about upcoming webinars as well as recordings and resources from past webinars.

Online Courses

We are always looking for new ways to help parents and caregivers on their way to becoming advocates for their children. We believe the best way to meet this goal is to empower parents and caregivers through education. With this in mind, we hope the self-guided online courses will become a valuable resource on your way to advocacy.  Our online courses are available at http://learn-online.prntexas.org/

Healthy Families Resources

• eResources for Suicide Prevention in Texas (PDF, 123KB)
• Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF, 2MB)
• Sexting: A Brief Guide for Educators and Parents (PDF, 200KB)
• Digital Drama Prevention Toolkit (PDF, 581KB)
• Healthy Families Staying Fit Learning Lab | Powerpoint (PDF, 2MB)

Learning Lab Resources

• Menu Planning Activity (PDF, 206KB) | Modelo del Plan de Alimentación (PDF, 211KB)
• Menu Planning Example (PDF, 209KB) | Modelo del Plan de Alimentación (PDF, 214KB)
• Portions Card (PDF, 490KB) | Tarjetas de Equivalencia (PDF, 417KB)
• Test Your Knowledge: Calorie Burn (PDF, 220KB) | Ponga a prueba su conocimiento: Consumo de calorías (PDF, 219KB)
• Test Your Knowledge: Portions (PDF, 337KB) | Ponga a prueba sus conocimientos: Porciones (PDF, 315KB

Military Families

• Step by Step Checklist-Resolve School Issues with the Interstate Compact
• School Issues Covered by the Interstate Compact
• School Support Plans for Deployment – Tips for Parents
• Relocation for Military Families
• Military Family Resources for Youth and Young Adults Transitioning from High School
• Military Families and Medicaid
• Military Families and Extended Care Option (ECHO)

Spanish Resources

ADA: El Acta para los Norteamericanos con Discapacidades
Apelación y Acción Civil
Ayuda para Niños con Discapacidades (3-26) 
Audiencia de Proceso Legal Debido
Ayuda para los Bebés Hasta Su Tercer Cumpleaños
Categorías de Discapacidad bajo IDEA
Cómo Resolver Disputas Entre Familias y Escuelas
Cómo Solicitar una Evaluación Independiente de Su Niño
Cómo Solicitar una Reunión para Revisar el IEP de su Niño
Derecho a Recibir una Explicación Completa Sobre Todas las Garantías Procesales
Derecho a Recibir una Notificación Previa por Escrito
Derecho de No Estar de Acuerdo
Derecho de Obtener una Evaluación Educativa Independiente
Derecho de los Padres de Participar en Reuniones
Determinando la Ubicación del Niño
Discapacidades Específicas del Aprendizaje (LD)
Discapacidades Intelectuales
El Espectro del Autismo
El Equipo y el Contenido del IEP
El Proceso de Determinar la Elegibilidad del Niño
El Proceso de Resolución
Impedimentos Visuales
La Evaluación Gratuita de Niños
La Mediación
Lesión Cerebral Traumática
Más Sobre el Equipo del IEP
Otro Impedimento de la Salud
Preguntas Comunes de los Padres sobre la Educación Especial
Queja de Proceso Debido
Queja Estatal
Reuniones para Desarrollar el IEP
Revisando el IEP
Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973
Servicios Relacionados
Sobre el Proceso de Educación Especial
Sobre la Ley IDEA
Sordera y la Pérdida de la Capacidad Auditiva
Trastornos Emocionales
Trastornos del Habla y Lenguaje
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención /Hiperactividad (ADHD)

Special Education in Texas

Need help understanding the special education process in Texas? Check out these important resources to learn more:

• TX Education Agency (TEA)
• TEA Special Education
• TX Legal Framework
• Special Education Rules and Regulations
• Procedural Safeguards
• Aviso Sobre Procedimientos de Protección
• Guide to the ARD Process
• Guía Para Padres
• The IDEA Manual