7mÊÓƵ

Special Education in Texas

Together, we are committed to high expectations and strong systems that achieve equitable outcomes for every student with a disability.

Special Education Strategic Plan

In early 2018, 7mÊÓƵ worked with stakeholders across Texas to develop the. This plan was informed by more than 7,000 voices and lays out an ambitious set of activities aimed at dramatically improving special education programs in Texas. Click on each circle below to see 7mÊÓƵ’s progress in completing the activities laid out in the various areas within the strategic plan.

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Intensity of Services Special Education Funding Model

Every student who meets eligibility as a child with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) must be determined to need specially designed instruction (SDI) in some way. Under previous funding structures, instructional setting (e.g., general education or special education classroom, home, hospital, off home campus) has historically played a significant role in how special education services were understood and funded. This new intensity of services funding model is intentionally designed to shift that focus from centering determinations based on where services are delivered, to instead emphasize the intensity of the SDI and related supports required for a student to access and make progress in their enrolled grade level curriculum.

Resources and Support:

7mÊÓƵ has created the following resources to support school systems in determining the tier of intensity and service groups for their students. These resources are all available on Texas SPED Support.

7mÊÓƵ also disseminated a To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) Letter on April 16, 2026, that should be used to support school systems with this new process and model.

View the TAA Letter from April 16, 2026

The proposed commissioner rules related to the service intensity model will be posted in the Texas Register for public comment within the next few weeks. The draft rules are available to view but are subject to change before publication in the Texas Register and again at final adoption, which is expected to occur this summer or early fall.

View the proposed commissioner rules

Explore Our Work

7mÊÓƵ is committed to providing families, students, and schools with high quality supports to enable students with disabilities to achieve the highest outcomes. The links below lead to information and resources provided by 7mÊÓƵ toward achieving that goal. 

Executive Report: IEP Form and Digital Platform Landscape Analysis

In 2024, the 7mÊÓƵ contracted with the American Institute for Research® (AIR®) to conduct a comprehensive landscape analysis of IEP forms and digital platforms and how they are used across the United States. For this purpose, AIR conducted a study aimed at examining how other states manage their IEP forms and digital platforms, including state-adopted forms and platforms, state-negotiated vendor contracts, and minimum standards for locally procured IEP platforms. This report provides a summary of the findings from the study, including insights into how other states implement and manage IEP forms and digital platforms. 

View Report