The Texas Education Agency has finalized its updates to the Commissioner’s Rules Concerning Special Education Services (19 TAC Chapter 89, Subchapter AA), and many of the new rules take effect Sunday, October 4, 2026. After months of tracking the proposed language, districts now have the final version and a short window to get ready to comply. 

The new rules cover a variety of topics, including: 

• Notice of ARD meetings and responding to parent requests for ARDs. 

• Provision of when a final IEP must be provided to parents  

• Timing from PWN to implementation. 

• Revisions to the eligibility criteria for ID and SLD. 

• Changes to required ARD committee members. 

• Requirements when changing the location (site) of a student’s services. 

• Specific requirements for PLAAFPs, annuals goals, and objectives.  

• New requirements for documentation of IEP services. 

• IEP requirements for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia. 

• Requirements when contracting for nonpublic residential or day placements. 

• Rules for students who are parentally placed in private schools, including those using education savings accounts. 

• New requirements for training and documentation of restraints.  

That’s a lot of changes! Join Thompson & Horton for a free webinar that walks through the adopted rules and the practical steps your district can take now to serve students well and stay compliant. Our attorneys will call out the changes that matter most in day-to-day practice, so you can update your game plan before the new rules are in place. 

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Central
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free 

Register Here 

If you miss this webinar, we will be providing an update on the Commissioner Rules (and lots more!) at our T&H SPED Legal Summit on October 2 in San Antonio and November 2 in Richardson.  

As always, our Special Education team is available to help your district plan for implementation. If you have questions, please contact a member of our Special Education team.