Texas Administrative Code
Title 19 - EDUCATION
Part 2 - TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY
Chapter 89 - ADAPTATIONS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Subchapter AA - COMMISSIONER'S RULES CONCERNING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
Division 7 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Section 89.1196 - Individualized Education Program Facilitation
Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) For the purpose of this section and Texas Education Code, § 29.019, individualized education program (IEP) facilitation refers to a method of alternative dispute resolution that involves the use of a trained facilitator to assist an admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee in developing an IEP for a student with a disability. The facilitator uses facilitation techniques to help the committee members communicate and collaborate effectively. While public education agencies are not required to offer IEP facilitation as an alternative dispute resolution method, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) encourages the use of IEP facilitation as described in this section.
(b) A public education agency is not prohibited from incorporating elements of IEP facilitation into ARD committee meetings that are conducted without the assistance of a facilitator as described in this section. For example, a public education agency may provide training on communication skills, conflict management, or meeting effectiveness to individuals who participate in ARD committee meetings to enhance collaboration and efficiency in those meetings.
(c) A public education agency that chooses to offer IEP facilitation under this section may determine whether to use independent contractors, employees, or other qualified individuals as facilitators. At a minimum, an individual who serves as a facilitator must:
(d) A public education agency that chooses to offer IEP facilitation under this section must ensure that:
(e) A public education agency that chooses to offer IEP facilitation under this section must develop written policies and procedures that include:
(f) A public education agency that chooses to offer IEP facilitation under this section must provide parents with information about the process, including a description of the procedures for requesting IEP facilitation and information related to facilitator qualifications. This information must be included when a copy of the procedural safeguards notice under 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), §300.504 is provided to parents, although this information may be provided as a separate document and may be provided in a written or electronic format.
(g) A facilitator under this section must not be a member of the student's ARD committee, must not have any decision-making authority over the committee, and must remain impartial to the topics under discussion. The facilitator must assist with the overall organization and conduct of the ARD committee meeting by:
(h) Promptly after being assigned to facilitate an ARD committee meeting, or within a timeline established under the public education agency's procedures, the facilitator must contact the parents and public education agency representative to clarify the issues, gather necessary information, and explain the IEP facilitation process.
(i) A public education agency that chooses to offer IEP facilitation under this section must ensure that facilitators protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information about the student and comply with the requirements in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations, 34 CFR, Part 99, relating to the disclosure and redisclosure of personally identifiable information from a student's education record.
(j) The TEA will develop information regarding IEP facilitation as an alternative dispute resolution method, and such information will be available upon request from the TEA and on the TEA website.