Texas Implements New Special Education Rule Amendments for 2026-2027 School Year

The Texas Commissioner of Education has enacted several rule amendments for special education, effective October 4, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year. These changes implement legislation from the 89th Texas Legislature and update state requirements. Key changes include revised eligibility criteria for Intellectual Disability, updates to Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee membership, new Individualized Education Program (IEP) documentation requirements for dysgraphia, and a shift in the state special education funding model from a location-based to an intensity-based system.