Special Education in Day and Residential Programs
A local education agency (LEA) may contract for a day or residential placement when a student’s admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee determines that placement is necessary for the student to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
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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 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 day or residential program.
The Local Education Agency is responsible for ensuring students placed in or referred to day or residential programs 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 educational residential placements), and 19 TAC §89.1094 (for day placements). Placement in a day or residential 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. Day and residential programs that provide special education are monitored by TEA to ensure compliance with federal and state standards.
Announcements and Updates
New - Day Placement Program Cooperative Funding Allotment
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, House Bill 2 (HB 2), passed by the 89th Texas Legislature, authorized TEA to award funds to qualifying day placement programs. Additional information is available in the To the Administator Addressed Correspondance dated May 14, 2026 and in the information and guidance section below.
Apex Applications
The 2025-2026 APEX application opened for beginning-of-year submissions on 9/2/2025. The beginning-of-year submission deadline (for continuing placements, summer placements, and beginning-of-year placements) was 10/3/2025. All other APEX applications are due within 30 days of student placement/change of placement.
Newsletter
Day Placement Program Cooperative Funding Allotment
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, House Bill 2 (HB 2), passed by the 89th Texas Legislature, authorized TEA to award funds to qualifying day placement programs.
Program Application and Guidance Documents
Day Placement Program Cooperative Funding Allotment Application
Day Placement Program Cooperative Funding Allotment Application Instructions (PDF)
Day Placement Program Cooperative Funding Allotment Application Rubric
Day Placement Program Cooperative Funding Allotment Guidelines
Program Terminology/Definitions - coming soon
Program Technical Assistance
Day Placement Program Cooperative Funding Allotment Office Hours for application help and/or questions will be held on:
To register for office hours, please click on the dates and times above.
Please contact DayProgramFunding@tea.texas.gov with questions.
Program Guidance
APEX Application
Day and Residential Funding
Funding Explanations
Residential Reimbursement
Day and Residential Programs
Preliminary Approval Guide
Day and Residential Monitoring
Reintegration Planning
Reintegration Planning Guidance
Links
ESC Special Education Contacts
TEA Day and Residential Programs Team
512-463-9414
Day and Residential Programs: speddayandresidential@tea.texas.gov
HB2 Funding for Day Placement Programs: DayProgramFunding@tea.texas.gov