Relating to special education in public schools, including funding for special education under the Foundation School Program.

Contracts

• Private Placement Agreements: Review all Master Service Agreements (MSAs) with private residential or day facilities. The law now requires these facilities to be on a Commissioner-approved list to receive funds. If your vendor is not listed, the contract is voidable or non-reimbursable.
• Transportation Vendors: Renegotiate third-party transportation contracts. The state reimbursement rate has changed to a "rate per mile + $0.13" formula. Ensure your vendor rates do not exceed this new cap.
• Therapy Providers: Contracts with external OT, PT, and Speech providers must be amended to require data reporting that aligns with the upcoming "Service Group" definitions, rather than just hours billed.

Hiring/Training

• ARD Committee Training: Staff must be trained to verify Parent-Directed Services (SSES) accounts during ARD meetings. If an account is unverified, staff are legally required to provide application information during the meeting.
• Facilities & IT: Establish a "Statutory Priority" workflow for special education video camera requests. You have exactly 45 school business days from receipt of a request to operationalize the camera.
• Finance/PEIMS Staff: Train staff to flag every "Full Individual and Initial Evaluation." The law provides a new $1,000 allotment per evaluation; failure to code this correctly results in immediate revenue loss.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Video Surveillance Log: You must maintain a centralized log of all video camera requests, including date received, date approved/denied, and date operationalized, for PEIMS reporting.
• Dyslexia Data: New PEIMS fields are required for the number of identified dyslexic students and the availability of counselors.
• Private Provider Oversight: Districts must collect diagnostic and evaluative data from private contractors periodically; "placement and forget" is no longer compliant.

Fees & Costs

• New Revenue Streams (Effective 9/1/2025):
• $1,000 per Full Individual and Initial Evaluation.
• $4,000 (increased from $2,000) per CCMR-ready special education graduate.
• $1,500 per eligible student for Parent-Directed Services (SSES) grants.
• Financial Liability: TEA is authorized to withhold funds from districts remaining in non-compliance with special education laws for more than one year.