SAN ANTONIO – Families of students with disabilities may need to start planning in advance if they want to qualify for additional education funding for next school year. Experts say one key document, an individualized education plan, or IEP, can take months to obtain.
Last year, several families missed out on available funding because they did not have an IEP in time to apply. Inga Cotton, with School Discovery Network, said some parents did not realize until it was too late that they first needed to request a special education evaluation.
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“There were a number of families that said they found out too late that they needed to request the special education evaluation,” Cotton said.
Cotton emphasized that families should prepare for a process that can take about five months from the initial request to the completion of the evaluation and review process. This timeline is crucial for families hoping to secure necessary funding for their children’s education.
Texas has not yet released application deadlines for the next school year; however, the application window is expected to close next spring. Families who believe their child may need special education services should consider starting the evaluation process now.
“If people can take that step of requesting a special education evaluation in October, they’ll be in a much better situation by February-March when the TEFA application opens up,” Cotton advised.
Step-by-step: How the evaluation process works in Texas
The process begins with a written request to the family’s local school district. Cotton noted that this request can be as straightforward as an email to the district’s director of special education or to a local school administrator, such as a principal.
Parents do not need to specify a particular test or focus on obtaining a formal diagnosis. Instead, they should describe the concerns they have observed and explain why they believe their child may need to be evaluated. Common concerns include difficulties with reading, attention issues, communication problems, behavioral challenges, anxiety, executive functioning, or motor skills.
“Parents are the ones who probably spend the most time with their kids, and they might notice that there’s something different about how their kids are developing versus other kids,” Cotton remarked.
Here is a simplified breakdown of the timeline from request to IEP:
How to find a school
The School Discovery Network offers valuable educational materials to families considering alternative education options in the San Antonio area. They will be hosting a School Discovery Day on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the San Antonio Zoo, featuring 40 local schools available to answer questions about their programs. This event will include charter schools, pre-K programs, magnet programs, public school districts, and private schools.
Additionally, the first 1,000 pre-registered attendees will receive free admission to the zoo, according to the organizers. Families can find the registration link on the School Discovery Network’s website.
