Funding Guidance Shifts State to Implementation
Districts will need to work on a defensible local process for translating student IEP services into this new tier and service group framework, while also maintaining current-year instructional arrangement reporting during the transition year. Districts should now prepare for staff training, internal calibration and data quality review.
The guidance included several critical details:
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Districts are expected to upload tier and service group information for all students on IEPs to TEA by Oct. 8.
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Districts can volunteer to submit data by Aug. 14, which will help TEA report to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) attendance information by an Oct. 1 deadline.
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Three out of the eight tiers are explicitly defined: Tier 1 for speech only, Tier 7 for day placements and Tier 8 for residential placements.
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There are 5 service groups that capture additional information about student needs, and students could be eligible for up to two service groups.
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The funding framework is based on 5 domains that each have embedded factors to consider whether a child’s needs are none, minimal, moderate, or significant. The rating for a domain is based on the highest support level noted for any of the factors within a domain.
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TEA released a web-based calculation tool for district staff to use to generate the necessary data elements to be sent to the state by Oct. 8. Districts can create or use other tools at their discretion.
TEA held a webinar on April 21 to provide an overview of the new system. The recording, resources, a slide deck and agenda are available here. The agency released draft rules on the new system that are expected to be officially posted for public comment soon. Although the rules are not final, TEA expressed in its webinar that districts should familiarize themselves with the new funding framework by exploring the new materials and planning for data submission in the fall.
TCASE will continue to monitor and advocate for members as this new system rolls out. Join us for a dedicated general session at Interactive 2026 July 13-15 at the JW Marriott in Austin.
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Comptroller Releases First Round of TEFA Awards
The comptroller’s office stated that a lottery will be conducted next week to determine awards for students in the second priority tier, which includes students without disabilities with a family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The comptroller will also assign waitlist positions to the remaining students.
Families must confirm enrollment in a participating private school or confirm their choice to homeschool their child by July 15. Any students who opt out or do not confirm enrollment will open spots for students on the waitlist.
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Weigh In On Proposed Rules Impacting Special Education
The public comment period closes on May 11, 2026. A form for submitting public comments is available on the TEA website. The expected effective date for the rules is August 2, 2026.
Rules implementing Senate Bill (SB) 57 are also open for public comment. SB 57 requires a variety of provisions including that districts must include in their Multihazard Emergency Operations Plans (MEOPs) accommodations for students with disabilities. The proposed rules specify how schools should ensure equal access to safety during emergency incidents, drills and district-approved exercises for students and district personnel with “access and functional needs.” This includes students with IEPs and 504 plans. The rules also require that students with access and functional needs participate in required drills.
The public comment period closes on May 11, 2026 and a form for submitting public comments is available on the TEA website. The expected effective date for the rules is July 26, 2026.