Special Education Monthly Update

Upcoming Dates: November 17 and December 15, 2026

Registration, webinar recordings, and archived newsletters

Application Deadline: November 20, 2026

Funding is available to support ECSE educator training in behavior management and inclusive practices, as well as dual certification in special and general education.

Grant Information | Region 14 Contact: Jessica Harrison

The final State Performance Plan Indicators (SPPI) compliance determinations will be released the first week of November 2026 due to the SPPI 13 technical error.

TEA has released guidance outlining amendments to special education rules resulting from legislation passed during the 89th Texas Legislature. The amendments became effective October 4, 2026, with certain provisions taking effect July 1, 2027.

Districts are encouraged to review the updates for implementation considerations, timelines, and compliance requirements.

Resources:

• TEA Special Education Back-to-School Update 2026

• TEA Adopted Commissioner of Education Rules

2025–2026: LEAs must complete the TEA survey by December 11, 2026.

2026–2027: Video surveillance data will be reported through TSDS/PEIMS for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. LEAs must maintain records of camera requests and associated dates.

Region 14 ESC Contact: Elizabeth Tidwell

Video Surveillance of Special Education Settings Reporting

Significant Disproportionality (SD)

No Region 14 LEAs were identified for SD Year 3. TEA anticipates increasing the risk ratio threshold from greater than 2.5 to greater than 3.0 in 2027.

OSEP Compliance & Transition Assurances

Deadlines have been extended. Updated deadlines are pending.

Operating Procedures & Legal Framework

LEAs should review and update local operating procedures following the release of revised TEA templates and Legal Framework guidance.

Updated ARD Guide

TEA anticipates distributing the updated ARD Guide during the third week of November 2026. LEAs should review and share the guidance with appropriate staff.

Special Education Day & Residential Programs

TEA's Comprehensive Manual is available to support implementation of the amended October 4, 2026 requirements.

View TEA Day & Residential Programs Resources

Region 14 Contact: Liz Tidwell

November 4 – RDA FREs and DL designations

November 19 – RDA Masked Data in TEAL Accountability

November 20 – ECSE Grant Application Deadline
December 3 – 100% Tiered Funding PEIMS Submission

December 11 – Cameras in the Classroom Survey Deadline

November 4, 2026 | District Leaders, SPED Directors, Improvement Teams

Virtual Options Available

Training and Registration Information

November 5, 2026 | Testing Coordinators, SPED Staff, Instructional Leaders

Registration Link

November 5, 2026 | SPED Staff administering the STAAR ALT 2

Registration Link

November 10, 2026 | Evaluators, Dyslexia Specialists, SPED Staff

Registration Link

November 10–11, 2026 | SPED Teachers, Evaluators, ARD Facilitators

Training Information & Registration

November 12, 2026 | Regional and District Testing Coordinators

Registration Link

November 16, 2026 | Educators interested in pursuing educational diagnostician certification

R10 Diagnostician CERT website

Flyer

November 16–17, 2026 | Special Education Directors and Leaders
Registration Link

Padlet

November 17, 2026 | Educational Diagnosticians, LSSPs, Evaluation Personnel
Training Information & Registration

November 18, 2026 | Transition Specialists, SPED Staff

Training Information & Registration

December 10, 2026 | Educational Diagnosticians, LSSPs, Evaluators, ARD Managers
Training Information & Registration

Application Deadline: December 14, 2026 | Educators Supporting Students with Autism

Program Information & Application

Self-paced | LEA Staff Responsible for Child Find

Enroll in Course (1.5 CPE Hours)

Four self-paced TEA Learn modules (12 CPE hours) with optional facilitator-led sessions (up to 5 additional CPE hours).

Region 14 Contact: Liz Tidwell

Special Education Spotlights

• Camera in the Classroom
• Legal Framework
• Discipline/Behavior

• Quarter 2 (October–December 2026)

NOVEMBER Deadline QUICK VIEW

Ways We Can Help

Connections to state and Region 14 staff and resources, plus:

• Special Education Performance Diagnostic (SPD) and Self-Assessment

• Student Support Plans (SSP)

• Results Driven Accountability (RDA)

• Significant Disproportionality (SD)

• Cyclical Monitoring

• Uncorrected Noncompliance (UNC)

• Special Education Data Review and Improvement Planning

Need assistance? Contact your Region 14 Special Education Liaisons for support and resources.

Cody Martin cmartin@esc14.net

Patty Garcia pgarcia@esc14.net