How to Navigate the Texas Dyslexia 504-to-IEP Transition Without an Attorney
Step-by-step guide for Texas parents forcing the 504-to-IEP transition for dyslexia under HB 3928. Includes the regulatory citations, scripts, and escalation path.
Blog
All articles about Texas IEP & 504 Blueprint.
Best Texas IEP Toolkit for Parents in Rural School Districts
Rural Texas parents face unique IEP challenges — no local advocates, understaffed ARD committees, and ISDs that combine roles. Here's the best toolkit for your situation.
Best IEP Resource for Texas Parents Facing Their First ARD Meeting
Comparing Texas IEP resources for first-time ARD parents — free TEA guides, Wrightslaw, advocates, and tactical toolkits. Find the right fit for your situation.
Alternatives to Hiring a Texas Special Education Attorney for IEP Disputes
Can't afford $300-$500/hr for a special education attorney in Texas? Here are 6 alternatives that resolve most IEP and ARD disputes without legal fees.
Prior Written Notice in Texas Special Education: What It Is and How to Use It
Learn what prior written notice means in Texas special education, when schools must issue one, and how to use it to protect your child's IEP rights.
Due Process Hearing in Texas Special Education: TEA Complaint vs. Due Process vs. OCR
Due process hearing in Texas special education — when to file, TEA complaint vs due process, what happens at a hearing, costs, timeline, and how Texas dispute resolution works.
Dyslexia Services in Texas Public Schools: What Your Child Is Entitled To
What the 2024 Texas Dyslexia Handbook requires, how dyslexia evaluations work under IDEA, what CALT services mean, and how to secure the right program.
Texas IEP Guide PDF vs. Hiring a Special Education Advocate: Which Is Worth the Money?
Compare self-advocacy with a Texas IEP guide against hiring a special education advocate at $100-$500/hr. See which option fits your ARD meeting needs and budget.
Parent Rights in Texas Special Education: What TAC Chapter 89 Guarantees You
Parent rights in Texas special education — PWN, prior written notice, consent rights, ARD participation, access to records, and dispute resolution under TAC Chapter 89 and IDEA.
What Is an IEP in Texas? ARD Committees, FIIE, and How It Works
What is an IEP in Texas? Learn the ARD committee, FIIE evaluation, 10-day recess rule, and how Texas special ed differs from other states — explained for parents.
Related Services in Texas IEPs: Speech, OT, Assistive Technology, and More
How Texas IEPs define and deliver speech therapy, occupational therapy, assistive technology, and supplementary aids — and what to do when services aren't provided.
IEP Progress Monitoring in Texas: What the ARD Must Report and How to Track It
IEP progress monitoring in Texas — quarterly reporting requirements, what constitutes adequate progress data, how to read progress reports, and what to do when goals are not being tracked.
Facilitated IEP Meetings and Mediation in Texas: When and How to Use Them
How Texas parents can request a state-funded facilitated IEP meeting or mediation when ARD negotiations break down, without filing for due process.
Content Mastery in Texas Schools: What It Is and When It's the Right Placement
Content mastery is a Texas-specific pull-out classroom model for students with IEPs. Here's how it works, when it's appropriate, and how it fits in your child's placement decision.
504 Plan vs. IEP in Texas: Which One Does Your Child Actually Need?
504 plan vs IEP in Texas — ARD vs 504 team, dyslexia under HB 3928, ADHD eligibility, and how to decide which provides stronger protections for your child.
Behavior Intervention Plan in Texas: What Your Child's BIP Must Include and How to Review It
Behavior intervention plan in Texas — what a compliant BIP requires under IDEA and TAC, when the ARD must develop one, and how to identify a BIP that will not actually work.
504 Plan for Anxiety in Texas: Eligibility, Accommodations, and When to Consider an IEP
504 plan for anxiety in Texas — 504 vs IEP for anxiety, school refusal, OHI eligibility, common accommodations, and how to get the plan actually implemented in Texas schools.
504 Plan for ADHD in Texas: Accommodations, Eligibility, and When to Seek an IEP Instead
504 plan for ADHD in Texas — eligibility rules, STAAR accommodations, common plan accommodations, and how to know when your child needs an IEP under OHI instead.
STAAR Accommodations for Texas Students with IEPs: The Complete List
Which STAAR accommodations Texas students with IEPs and 504 plans can receive, how the ARD committee documents them, and what STAAR Alternate 2 requires.
How to Request a Special Education Evaluation in Texas: FIIE, Timelines, and Your Rights
How to request a special education evaluation in Texas — FIIE process, 45-day timeline, Child Find obligation, what to include in your request letter, and how to dispute inadequate evaluations.
Special Education Advocate vs. Attorney in Texas: What Each Costs and When You Need One
Special education advocate vs attorney in Texas — PRN, Disability Rights Texas, typical costs, when to hire each, and what you can do without paying either.
PLAAFP in Texas IEPs: What It Should Say and How to Spot a Weak One
Understand what a compliant Texas PLAAFP looks like, why vague present levels undermine your child's IEP, and what to ask the ARD committee to fix.
LSSP and Educational Diagnostician in Texas: Who They Are and What They Do
Understand the difference between an LSSP and educational diagnostician in Texas schools, what each evaluates, and what their reports mean for your child's IEP.
Independent Educational Evaluation in Texas: Your IEE Rights Under IDEA and TAC Chapter 89
How to request an independent educational evaluation in Texas — IEE rights, FIIE disputes, public expense rules, and what happens when the district says no.
Texas IEP Sections Explained: What Every Part of the Document Actually Means
What each section of a Texas IEP document means, what must be in it by law, and what vague language to challenge before you sign at the ARD meeting.
How to Prepare for a Texas ARD Meeting: Checklist and What to Bring
IEP meeting preparation for Texas ARD committees — what to review before the ARD, questions to ask, documents to bring, and how to use the 10-day recess if you need more time.
Texas IEP Goal Bank: Writing Measurable Goals for ARD Meetings
Texas IEP goal bank — how to write measurable PLAAFP-linked goals for ARD meetings, sample goals for reading, math, behavior, and autism, and transition goal requirements.
IEP for Autism in Texas: ARD Process, Evaluation Requirements, and LRE Decisions
IEP for autism in Texas — FIIE requirements for autism evaluation, ARD committee composition, autism-specific goal areas, LRE decisions, and extended school year eligibility.
IEP for Anxiety in Texas: When Anxiety Qualifies for Special Education Under OHI or ED
IEP for anxiety in Texas — OHI vs ED eligibility, what the ARD must find, anxiety-specific IEP goals, counseling as a related service, and how IEP differs from a 504 for severe anxiety.
IEP for ADHD in Texas: OHI Eligibility, ARD Process, and What the IEP Must Include
IEP for ADHD in Texas — Other Health Impairment eligibility under TAC §89.1040, what the FIIE must assess, ARD process, and how Texas IEPs address ADHD differently than 504 plans.
Functional Behavior Assessment in Texas: What the ARD Must Do and When
Functional behavior assessment in Texas ARD meetings — when FBAs are required, who conducts them, what they must include, and how to use FBA results to get a real BIP.
Manifestation Determination in Texas: ARD Rights When Your Child Is Facing Expulsion
Manifestation determination in Texas — what the MDR meeting must cover, the causal relationship standard, stay-put rights, and what happens if the ARD gets it wrong.
The Texas IEP Process: Step-by-Step From FIIE to ARD to Annual Review
How the IEP process works in Texas — FIIE evaluation timelines, ARD committee steps, Child Find, 10-day recess, and what to do when the process breaks down.
Compensatory Education in Texas: When Schools Owe Your Child Make-Up Services
Compensatory education in Texas — when FAPE violations entitle students to make-up IEP services, how to calculate compensatory hours, and how to request them from your district.