The special education referral in Texas

Before it reaches the evaluator

Who asks, what you do, and how it moves. The whole thing is three sentences.

Take it with you: Poster (PDF, letter landscape) Image (PNG, for sharing)
Anyone can ask.
Ask in writing.
A parent's written request
is answered in 15 school days.
TeacherYou see it first
ParentYou can start it
AdministratorYou own the decision
Who
You, when what you're trying isn't working.
You. Any time. No permission needed. No waiting for more intervention.
You, the day the request reaches you. Spoken counts too.
What
Put it in writing. A worry in the hallway isn't a referral. A form is.
Put it in writing. A phone call counts and the school must answer it. Only a dated request starts the 15-day clock.
Start the clock and run the meeting. The 15 days began when it arrived.
How
  1. Keep a folder: what you tried, for how long, what happened.
  2. Talk with the parent. One honest conversation.
  3. Fill out your campus referral form and hand it to your administrator. Not the diagnostician, not a mailbox.
  1. Email or write the principal.
  2. Date it. Keep a copy.
  3. Wait no more than 15 school days for a written answer.
"I am requesting a full individual evaluation of my child for special education."
  1. Date-stamp it the day it arrives. If it came out loud, help the parent write it down that day, then treat it as written.
  2. Call the MTSS meeting. Invite the evaluator and special education. Bring the data: grades, interventions, attendance, work samples.
  3. Stay in the room. Yes or no is a decision you make with them, not a folder you hand off.
  4. Make sure the parent gets a written answer within 15 school days: consent and notice, or a written no with the reasons and a copy of parent rights.
The meeting runs beside the 15 days, never in front of them.
If the school says yes→ Parent signs consent→ Now it's on the evaluator's desk→ 45 school days to finish