How to Request a Special Education Evaluation in Texas

If you're worried your child is struggling in school and may need special education services, knowing how to request an IEP evaluation in Texas is one of the most powerful steps you can take. The process is more straightforward than most parents realize — and the law is firmly on your side. This guide walks you through every step, from writing your first letter to sitting down at the ARD (IEP) meeting, so you feel confident and prepared.

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What Is a Special Education Evaluation — and Why Does It Matter?

A special education evaluation in Texas is called a Full Individual and Initial Evaluation (FIE). It is a comprehensive assessment of your child across every area where a disability might affect their learning — things like reading, math, attention, behavior, speech, motor skills, and social-emotional development.

The evaluation answers two big questions:

• Does my child have a disability that qualifies them for special education?
• If so, what kinds of supports and services do they need?

If your child qualifies, the school must provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) — meaning specially designed instruction and related services at no cost to your family (20 U.S.C. § 1401(9); 34 C.F.R. § 300.17). The evaluation is the doorway to those services.

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Who Can Request an IEP Evaluation in Texas?

Under federal law, either a parent or the school district can initiate a special education evaluation (20 U.S.C. § 1414(a)(1); 34 C.F.R. § 300.301). You do not need a doctor's note, a teacher's referral, or anyone's permission. If you believe your child may have a disability that is affecting their education, you have the right to ask — right now.

This applies to children in:

• Public schools (including charter schools)
• Private schools, in some circumstances (the district where the private school is located has responsibility)
• Homeschool settings (eligibility rules vary; contact your local district)

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How to Request an IEP Evaluation: Step by Step

Step 1 — Put Your Request in Writing

A verbal request can be overlooked or forgotten. A written request creates a clear paper trail and starts the legal clock. Your letter does not need to be formal or perfect — it just needs to say, clearly, that you are requesting a Full Individual and Initial Evaluation for special education eligibility.

Include in your letter:

• Your child's full name, date of birth, grade, and school
• A brief description of your concerns (struggles in reading, attention, behavior, speech delays, etc.)
• A clear statement: "I am requesting a full individual evaluation to determine if my child is eligible for special education services."
• Your name, contact information, and the date
• Your signature

Step 2 — Deliver It the Right Way

Send your letter to your child's campus principal and special education director (or coordinator) at the same time. Use at least one method that gives you proof of delivery:

• Email (saves a timestamp automatically — best option)
• Certified mail with return receipt
• Hand-delivered with a copy stamped "received" by the office

Keep a copy of everything you send and receive. A simple folder — paper or digital — will become invaluable.

Step 3 — Understand the District's Response (Prior Written Notice)

Within a reasonable time after receiving your request, the district must respond in writing. This response is called Prior Written Notice (PWN) — a formal document the school is required to send any time it proposes or refuses to take an action related to your child's education (20 U.S.C. § 1415(b)(3), (c)(1); 34 C.F.R. § 300.503).

The PWN will tell you:

• Whether the district agrees to evaluate (and what assessments they plan to use), or
• Whether the district refuses to evaluate — and the specific reasons why

If the district agrees to evaluate, they will also send you a consent form. Read it carefully. It lists the specific assessment areas they plan to cover. You can ask questions before you sign.

Step 4 — Give (or Discuss) Your Consent

The district cannot begin the evaluation without your written consent. Once you sign and return the consent form, the legal timelines begin.

If you have concerns about the areas listed for assessment, this is the moment to raise them in writing. You can request that additional areas be assessed before you sign.

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Texas Timelines: What Has to Happen and When

Texas law sets firm deadlines once you give consent. Knowing them helps you stay informed and follow up if things stall.

Step	Texas Deadline
District completes the FIE (Full Individual Evaluation)	45 school days from the date of your signed consent (Tex. Educ. Code § 29.004(a))
District holds the ARD (IEP) meeting to review results	30 calendar days after the FIE is completed (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1011(c))

School days means days school is actually in session — summer, holidays, and breaks generally do not count toward the 45-day window. Keep that in mind if you submit your request near the end of the school year.

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What Happens at the ARD Meeting?

ARD stands for Admission, Review, and Dismissal — Texas's term for the IEP team meeting. After the evaluation is complete, the ARD committee meets to:

1. Review the FIE results with you (the evaluators explain their findings in plain language)
2. Determine eligibility — does your child meet the criteria for one or more disability categories?
3. Develop the IEP (Individualized Education Program) if your child is found eligible — including goals, services, placement, and accommodations

You are a full, equal member of this team. You can bring a support person, ask questions, request more time to review documents before deciding, and disagree with any part of the plan in writing.

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Tips for a Stronger Evaluation Request

• Be specific about your concerns. Instead of "he's struggling," try "she has not mastered letter sounds after two years of instruction and cries most mornings before school."
• Attach supporting documents. Report cards, work samples, teacher notes, or a pediatrician's letter can strengthen your request.
• Request evaluation in all areas of suspected disability. If you suspect both a learning disability and anxiety, name both. The school must assess every area you reasonably raise.
• Follow up if you hear nothing. If two weeks pass with no response, send a polite follow-up email referencing your original request and its date.
• Ask for an interpreter if English is not your home language. The district is required to communicate with you in a language you understand.

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If the District Says No

A district can decline to evaluate, but it must explain its reasons in writing through a Prior Written Notice (34 C.F.R. § 300.503). If you receive a refusal and believe it is unwarranted:

• Request a meeting to discuss the reasoning
• Ask for the district's special education grievance procedure
• Consider contacting the Texas Education Agency (TEA), which oversees special education compliance in the state
• Consult a qualified special education advocate or attorney — especially if you believe your child's needs are urgent or the refusal seems improper

You have options, and a refusal is not the end of the road.

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A Note on Private Evaluations

If you disagree with the results of the school's evaluation, you have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense — meaning the district may be required to pay for an outside evaluator. This is a separate process, but it is a meaningful protection worth knowing about.