Request Special Education Evaluation - Houston

Education Texas 4 Minutes Read · published February 05, 2026 Flag of Texas

Families in Houston, Texas seeking a special education evaluation or an IEP review should start with the Houston Independent School District (HISD) special education office and know their procedural safeguards under state and federal law. This guide explains how to request an initial evaluation, request changes to an Individualized Education Program (IEP), where to find official forms, and the complaint and appeal routes if you disagree with the school. Use the steps below to document your request, meet deadlines, and protect your child’s rights.

How to request an evaluation or IEP review

Parents may request an evaluation in writing or by contacting the campus special education representative. A clear written request helps create a record. Include the student’s name, date of birth, campus, and specific concerns about learning, behavior, communication, or health that suggest a disability. After a written request, the district will respond according to its procedures and federal/state rules; consult the district special education page for details [1] and the Texas procedural safeguards guidance [2].

Put your request in writing and keep a copy for your records.

Required documentation and evidence

  • Written request or referral letter describing concerns and examples.
  • School records: grades, teacher observations, discipline, prior interventions (RTI/MTSS) when available.
  • Medical or therapy reports if relevant (OT, PT, speech, psychological evaluations).
  • Any timeline records showing when concerns began or intensified.

Penalties & Enforcement

Public school special education disputes are generally remedied through administrative and legal processes rather than monetary fines imposed on parents or students. Specific fine amounts for districts related to evaluation delays or IEP violations are not specified on the cited pages; enforcement relies on corrective actions and administrative remedies available through state and federal procedures.

  • Enforcer: Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the U.S. Department of Education enforce compliance and can require corrective actions.
  • Inspection/complaint pathways: file a state complaint with TEA or a due process complaint; contact details are on official TEA and district pages [2].
  • Fines/monetary penalties: not specified on the cited pages; remedies typically include corrective actions and orders rather than set fines.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: required implementation of IEPs, corrective action plans, monitoring, and orders issued through due process or state investigation.
  • Appeal/review: parents may request a due process hearing and appeal hearing decisions to state or federal courts; specific time limits for steps are described in TEA or federal procedural guidance or are not specified on the cited district page.
Legal remedies focus on corrective actions and due process, not fixed municipal fines.

Applications & Forms

Most districts accept a written referral or use a district referral form. HISD posts its special education referral and parent resources on the district site; consult the district forms page for the name and submission instructions [1]. If a named district form is not published, a written parent request is sufficient as the initial referral according to district instructions.

What to expect after you request an evaluation

  • District response acknowledging receipt and next steps.
  • Scheduling of assessments and an ARD/IEP meeting to review results.
  • Written notices of evaluation and proposal or refusal to evaluate.
Document all meetings, calls, and copies of written notices to preserve your timeline.

Action steps for parents

  • Send a written request to the campus and keep a dated copy.
  • Follow up with the campus Special Education Contact and request a copy of any district referral form.
  • Collect and provide recent evaluations, medical reports, and teacher input.
  • If the district refuses, consider filing a state complaint or due process request (see TEA procedural safeguards) [2].

FAQ

How do I start a special education evaluation?
Submit a written request or referral to your child’s campus special education liaison and keep a dated copy; the district will respond with next steps.
Can the school refuse to evaluate my child?
The school can decline based on its evaluation of existing information, but the district must provide written reasons; parents may file a state complaint or due process request if they disagree.
Is there a fee for requesting an evaluation?
No fee for parents to request an evaluation; the district conducts evaluations at public expense.
Where do I get procedural safeguards information?
TEA and district sites publish procedural safeguards and complaint procedures; see official pages for forms and timelines.

How-To

  1. Write a dated request that names your child, campus, and specific concerns and send it to the campus principal and special education liaison.
  2. Keep a copy and request written confirmation that the district received your referral.
  3. Provide any medical or private evaluation reports to the district when available.
  4. Attend the evaluation planning and ARD/IEP meeting and request meeting notes and draft IEP documents.
  5. If you disagree with findings, file a state complaint with TEA or request a due process hearing.
  6. Follow up on implementation and keep records of services provided under the IEP.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with a written request to create a clear record.
  • Use district and TEA procedural safeguards for complaint and appeal routes.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Houston Independent School District - Special Education
  2. [2] Texas Education Agency - Special Education and Procedural Safeguards

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