Sec. 29.004. FULL INDIVIDUAL AND INITIAL EVALUATION. (a) A written report of a full individual and initial evaluation of a student for purposes of special education services shall be completed as follows, except as otherwise provided by this section:
(1) not later than the 45th school day following the date on which the school district, in accordance with 20 U.S.C. Section 1414(a), as amended, receives written consent for the evaluation, signed by the student's parent or legal guardian, except that if a student has been absent from school during that period on three or more days, that period must be extended by a number of school days equal to the number of school days during that period on which the student has been absent; or
(2) for students under five years of age by September 1 of the school year and not enrolled in public school and for students enrolled in a private or home school setting, not later than the 45th school day following the date on which the school district receives written consent for the evaluation, signed by a student's parent or legal guardian.
(a-1) If a school district receives written consent signed by a student's parent or legal guardian for a full individual and initial evaluation of a student at least 35 but less than 45 school days before the last instructional day of the school year, the evaluation must be completed and the written report of the evaluation must be provided to the parent or legal guardian not later than June 30 of that year. The student's admission, review, and dismissal committee shall meet not later than the 15th school day of the following school year to consider the evaluation. If a district receives written consent signed by a student's parent or legal guardian less than 35 school days before the last instructional day of the school year or if the district receives the written consent at least 35 but less than 45 school days before the last instructional day of the school year but the student is absent from school during that period on three or more days, Subsection (a)(1) applies to the date the written report of the full individual and initial evaluation is required.
(a-2) For purposes of this section, "school day" does not include a day that falls after the last instructional day of the spring school term and before the first instructional day of the subsequent fall school term. The commissioner by rule may determine days during which year-round schools are recessed that, consistent with this subsection, are not considered to be school days for purposes of this section.
(a-3) Subsection (a) does not impair any rights of an infant or toddler with a disability who is receiving early intervention services in accordance with 20 U.S.C. Section 1431.
(b) The evaluation shall be conducted using procedures that are appropriate for the student's most proficient method of communication.
(c) If a parent or legal guardian makes a written request to a school district's director of special education services or to a district administrative employee for a full individual and initial evaluation of a student, the district shall, not later than the 15th school day after the date the district receives the request:
(1) provide an opportunity for the parent or legal guardian to give written consent for the evaluation; or
(2) refuse to provide the evaluation and provide the parent or legal guardian with notice of procedural safeguards under 20 U.S.C. Section 1415(b).
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 767, Sec. 2, eff. June 13, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 539, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 757 (S.B. 816), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.
Structure Texas Statutes
Subtitle F - Curriculum, Programs, and Services
Chapter 29 - Educational Programs
Subchapter A. Special Education Program
Section 29.001. Statewide Plan
Section 29.0011. Prohibited Performance Indicator
Section 29.003. Eligibility Criteria
Section 29.004. Full Individual and Initial Evaluation
Section 29.0041. Information and Consent for Certain Psychological Examinations or Tests
Section 29.005. Individualized Education Program
Section 29.0052. Individualized Education Program Supplement
Section 29.006. Continuing Advisory Committee
Section 29.008. Contracts for Services; Residential Placement
Section 29.009. Public Notice Concerning Preschool Programs for Students With Disabilities
Section 29.011. Transition Planning
Section 29.0111. Beginning of Transition Planning
Section 29.0112. Transition and Employment Guide
Section 29.012. Residential Facilities
Section 29.015. Special Education Decision-Making for Children in Foster Care
Section 29.0151. Appointment of Surrogate Parent for Certain Children
Section 29.016. Evaluation Conducted Pursuant to a Special Education Due Process Hearing
Section 29.0162. Representation in Special Education Due Process Hearing
Section 29.0163. Protection of the Rights of Military Families With Children With Disabilities
Section 29.017. Transfer of Parental Rights at Age of Majority
Section 29.018. Special Education Grant
Section 29.019. Individualized Education Program Facilitation
Section 29.020. Individualized Education Program Facilitation Project
Section 29.022. Video Surveillance of Special Education Settings
Section 29.023. Notice of Rights
Section 29.026. Grant Program Providing Services to Students With Autism
Section 29.027. Grant Program Providing Training in Dyslexia for Teachers and Staff