Special Education in Nonpublic and Off-Campus Programs
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) entitles a student with a disability to a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. When a student has educational needs that cannot be met in a public school setting, that student can be educated in a private school or facility, referred to as a nonpublic school, or in an off-campus program, at public expense. A student’s admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee must determine that the school district or charter school cannot provide the student with the special education instruction and related services necessary to meet the student’s unique needs for that student to be educated in a nonpublic school or off-campus program.
The Local Education Agency is responsible for ensuring students placed in or referred to nonpublic schools are provided with special education and related services that meet federal and state special education program requirements under 19 Texas Administrative Code §89.1092 (for nonpublic residential placements), and 19 TAC §89.1094 (for nonpublic day and off-campus placements). Placement in a nonpublic school or off-campus program is considered a more segregated educational environment than placement in a public school setting. Federal regulations and State Board of Education/Commissioner’s rules protect the rights of students in such placements. Nonpublic schools and off-campus programs that provide special education are monitored by TEA to ensure compliance with federal and state standards.
APEX Application in TEAL
For the 2023-2024 school year, the APEX application opened on September 1, 2023. Beginning-of-year submissions were due October 2, 2023.
LEA and ESC users are able to request access in TEAL for APEX (Application Program for Nonpublic and Off-Campus Placements, and High Cost Fund Application.) All Off-Campus/Nonpublic Day and Residential applications and High Cost Fund applications must be submitted through the APEX application in TEAL.
- Updated 2/2024: APEX User Manual
- Nonpublic Placement Notification and Application Checklist
- APEX Requesting Access - video with captions
- APEX Project Overview and Adding Students - video with captions
- Creating Nonpublic Day and Residential Applications
Nonpublic/Off-Campus Updates
Nonpublic/Off-Campus Updates is a resource designed to highlight guidance and best practices based on questions from the field and nonpublic monitoring findings.
Program Guidance
View 2023-2024 Program Guidance
- 2023-2024 Nonpublic Placement Notification & Application Guidance
- Funding Explanations: Nonpublic Day |Updated 1/2024: Nonpublic Residential
- Directions for Viewing Residential Reimbursements
- Updated 1/2024: Residential Reimbursement Program Guidelines
- Notification Requirements for Funding
- 2020 Nonpublic Day & Residential/Off-Campus Programs - General Overview (video with captions) | (video without captions) | PDF Version
- Nonpublic/Off-Campus Reintegration Guidance (video with captions) | PDF Version
- Reintegration Planning Guidance
- 19 TAC 89.1094 Guidance Document
Nonpublic/Off-Campus Facility Information
- TEA Nonpublic Day and Residential Schools and Off-Campus Programs Approved for Contracting Purposes
- New: Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the TEA will no longer identify specific areas of disability and age/grade ranges of approval. It is the responsibility of the LEA to determine the appropriateness of the facility based on guidance outlined in the Nonpublic/Off-Campus Age Range and Disability Minimum Standards.
- Texas Health and Human Services - Search for Residential (24 hour Operation) Note: not all facilities in this directory are approved nonpublic residential programs for special education placement. This directory is provided as a resource to help LEAs verify facility compliance with licensing requirements.
- New 1/2024: Preliminary Approval Guide for day and residential facility representatives who are seeking preliminary approval of their facility as a nonpublic day or residential school or off-campus program.
Application Resources
- Recommended Reintegration Plan
- Nonpublic Placement Notification and Application Sample Cost Analysis
Nonpublic/Off-Campus Monitoring Resources
- LEA Assurance Checklist for Contracting with Nonpublic Schools/Off-Campus Programs and Record of Annual Visits
- LEA Student Folder Review for Nonpublic and Off-Campus Program Monitoring
Nonpublic Restraint Reporting
Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, restraints for students in nonpublic day and nonresidential settings should be reported as part of the LEA’s summer PEIMS submission. The new E1725 NON-MEMBERSHIPDISCIPLINE-RESTRAINT-INDICATOR-CODE captures restraint data for students in nonpublic day and residential placements (as well as any other students accessing special education services who are enrolled, not in membership.) Students in off-campus programs with instructional setting codes 91-98 will also continue to be reported as part of the summer PEIMS submission.