Free Special Education Resources for Texas Parents
Downloadable checklists, letter templates, trackers, and guides to help you advocate effectively for your child at every stage of the special education process.
Download Our Most Popular Tools
Every resource below is 100% free — no email required. These are the same tools Texas families use to stay organized before, during, and after ARD meetings.
ARD Meeting Preparation Checklist
A step-by-step printable checklist to help you prepare for your child's ARD committee meeting — from gathering documents to writing down your top concerns.
- Pre-meeting document checklist
- Questions to ask the ARD committee
- Post-meeting follow-up reminders
Evaluation Request Letter Template
A ready-to-use letter template for requesting a Full Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) from your Texas school district. Fill in your child's details and send.
- Pre-written formal language
- Triggers the 15-school-day consent timeline
- Works for any Texas district
IEP Goal Tracker
Track your child's progress toward their annual IEP goals. Use this spreadsheet to log data points, monitor benchmarks, and prepare for progress reviews.
- Printable or digital-friendly format
- Organized by goal area (academic, social, behavioral)
- Space for parent observations
Texas Parent Rights Guide
A plain-language summary of your rights under IDEA, Section 504, and the Texas Education Code. Understand consent, timelines, dispute resolution, and more.
- Written in parent-friendly language
- Covers IDEA, Section 504, and TEC Chapter 29
- Includes key deadlines and timelines
Common Questions About These Resources
Are these resources really free?
Yes — every resource on this page is completely free with no email signup required. We believe every Texas family deserves access to clear, practical tools for navigating the special education process. There are no hidden fees, upsells, or locked content.
Can I use the evaluation request letter for any Texas school district?
Yes. The evaluation request letter template uses formal language that triggers IDEA's legal timelines in any Texas district. Simply fill in your child's name, date of birth, campus, and specific concerns. The district then has 15 school days to respond with a consent form or a Prior Written Notice explaining their decision.
What should I bring to an ARD meeting?
Bring your child's most recent IEP, progress reports, any private evaluations, and a list of your top concerns. Our ARD Meeting Preparation Checklist walks you through everything step by step — including questions to ask, documents to request in advance, and what to do after the meeting ends.
How do I track my child's IEP goals at home?
Use our IEP Goal Tracker to log progress between report cards. Write down each annual goal, the baseline measurement, and the target. Then record observations from homework, teacher notes, and therapy sessions. Bringing this data to your next ARD meeting shows the committee exactly where your child stands — and whether the current services are working.
What are my rights as a parent in Texas special education?
Under IDEA and Texas Education Code Chapter 29, you have the right to request evaluations, participate in all ARD meetings, review your child's records, and disagree with the committee's decisions. Our Parent Rights Guide breaks down these protections in plain language, including timelines for evaluations (45 school days), ARD meetings (30 calendar days after evaluation), and how to file a complaint with TEA if your rights are violated.