Cynthia Figura, CALT
What is the Texas Education Agency?
The Texas Education Agency, or TEA, is our governing body that ensures the compliance of the Texas Education Code. It is from here, that all changes in the law are translated at the school level. When you visit their site, it can be quite overwhelming. There are some key places to look, though, for information on dyslexia, evaluation guidelines, special education requirements, and educational programs provided to students.
What legislation affects dyslexia?
The newest piece of legislation is HB3928. This bill went into affect August 2023. This bill changed a lot of policies in regards to dyslexia. Some key take-aways are that dyslexia will no longer be under the 504 umbrella. It is now under Special Education only. This is because dyslexia is a specific learning disability. Being that it is a disability, it must be covered under Special Education. The bill also provided strict guidelines for parent notification and communication. The bill also states that dyslexic students must receive progress reports at least once every grading period. These revisions are for the benefit of parents and dyslexic students.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, is the federal legislation established to ensure that all students with disabilities have access to free and appropriate public education. It provides guidance to states on the implementation of interventions and support systems to aid students with disabilities.