What is Special Education?
Special Education is defined as special services provided by special and general education personnel to meet the individualized needs of students with documented disabilities.
What are Disabilities?
The IDEIA lists 13 different disability categories under which a student may be eligible for services. The disability must affect the student's educational performance to the extent that special education services are required. The disability categories listed in IDEIA are:
- Autism (AU)
- Deaf-blindness
- Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH)
- Emotional Disturbance (ED)
- Intellectual Disability (ID)
- Multiple disabilities
- Noncategorical Early Childhood (NCEC)
- Orthopedic Impairment (OI)
- Other Health Impairment (OHI)
- Specific Learning Disability (LD)
- Speech or Language Impairment (SI)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Visual Impairment (VI)
Source: A Guide to the Admission, Review and Dismissal Process – page 2
Who is Eligible for Special Education Services?
To be eligible for special education services, the student must be between the ages 3 and 21 (from birth for DHH or VI). The student must have documentation of one or more of the disabilities listed above. Also, the student must have an educational need that requires special education supports and services.
How do I Find Out if a Child is Eligible for Special Education?
The Arlington Independent School District has established a system for providing services for students with disabilities from birth – 21 years of age who meet eligibility criteria established in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and Texas Special Education rules. We would like to offer an individualized education program for children with disabilities who meet criteria for special education services and ask for your assistance in identification of potentially eligible students.
TEA Updates to Special Education - (Spanish)
If you know of a child whom you suspect of having a disability or are seeking additional information, please contact AISD Special Services at (682) 867-7690.