Educational Services

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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Education that plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with disabilities. OSERS is dedicated to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. In its mission, OSERS administers programs and supports policies and legislation that help children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities to lead more productive and independent lives.

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DFW Local Schools Specializing in Neurodiversity

Bridge Builder Academy https://www.bridgebuilderacademy.com/

Chase’s Place https://chasesplace.org/

Dallas Academy https://www.dallas-academy.com/

Dallas Learning Center https://www.dallaslearningcenter.com/index.html

Einstein School https://theeinsteinschool.com/

Fairhill School https://www.fairhill.org/

Fusion Academy https://www.fusionacademy.com/campuses/dallas/

Great Lakes Academy https://www.greatlakesacademy.com/

Hill School (Ft Worth) https://www.hillschool.org/

Lake Pointe Granbury https://www.lakepointegranbury.org/academy

Oak Hill Academy https://oakhillacademy.org/

Preston Hollow Presbyterian School https://www.phps.org/

Shelton School https://www.shelton.org/

St. Anthony School https://www.thestanthonyschool.com/

St. Timothy https://www.staplano.org/

Notre Dame of Dallas Schools https://www.notredameschool.org/

Winston School https://www.winston-school.org/

Vanguard School https://vanguardprepschool.com/

ABCs of Special Education from Navigate Life Texas:

https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/education-schools

Here are some of the terms or acronyms you will see often throughout your child’s education:

Special Education: Special education is not a place but an umbrella of services with dozens of ways to give children the best education possible. Special education services might include specialized instruction, modified curriculum, learning accommodations, or therapies, just to name a few.
Section 504: This federal law enables your child to get accommodations and modifications that help them learn when they’re at school. They do not have to qualify for special education services in order to get 504 services. These accommodations and modifications might include assistive technology, sitting in the front of the class, reading materials printed in Braille or with large print fonts, and many more.
ARD: The ARD, or Admission, Review, and Dismissal process, is a meeting at your child’s school between you (and any family members, friends, or people you want to bring who know your child well), your child’s teacher, therapists, and other school or district staff who support your child. This team makes a program for your child’s education, called an IEP, in these meetings.
IEP: Your child’s IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is an education program made by your child’s ARD team, which you are a part of. You might hear parents call this the Individualized Education Plan, but it is really a full program of services to help your child. The IEP maps out needs, goals, and objectives to help your child learn and eventually transition out of school.
IDEA: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is a federal law ensuring that all students with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Learn more about IDEA on our Your Child’s Right to a Public Education page.
FAPE: This stands for “Free Appropriate Public Education.” It means that students can get the resources they need free of charge – things like accommodations, modifications, and services to support their education. Learn more about FAPE on our Your Child’s Right to a Public Education page.
LRE: Students with disabilities have the right to learn in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) possible. This means that, if they are able to stay in the general education classroom, they should. Learn more about LRE on our Your Child’s Right to a Public Education page.

Top Must-See Support Services

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) operates 20 Education Service Centers (ESC), one in each region of the state. The agency can help you with your questions about the special education process. Find the address, phone number, and website for your ESC to learn more.
Did you know that the TEA has a hotline to help English- and Spanish-speaking parents – and answer their questions about special education programs and services? To reach a statewide resource center, call 800-252-9668. If you have a hearing impairment, call 512-475-3540 or 7-1-1 for a relay agent.
Texas Project First guides parents through the entire special education process and laws.
If your child qualifies for special education services, the IDEA manual will explain your child’s legal rights.
The Partners Resource Network is a statewide nonprofit that runs Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs), which help you learn about the education process and find services and programs.
Wright’s Law offers accurate, up-to-date information for parents about special education law and how to advocate for students with disabilities.
The Legal Framework offers a good summary of state and federal special education requirements.