Special Education Department 

Hood-Somervell SSA, along with the local district, provides special education services to children with disabilities to meet their unique needs. The term “special education” means specially-designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of the child with a disability, including instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings; and instruction in physical education. Students must be identified through a referral and full and individual evaluation process. The district also provides related services including transportation, speech therapy, occupational and physical therapy, adaptive physical education, individual or group counseling, and a work-study program for students who meet the eligibility requirements. 

To qualify for special education services, students must have been evaluated in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, and be identified as having one or more of the following disabilities: 

· intellectual disability 

· hearing impairment (including deafness) 

· speech or language impairment 

· visual impairment (including blindness) 

· serious emotional disturbance 

· orthopedic impairment 

· autism 

· traumatic brain injury 

· other health impairment 

· a specific learning disability 

· deaf-blindness 

· multiple disabilities 

The instruction offered through special education has been changed in content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs that are a result of the child’s disability. The accommodations and supports ensure that the child has access to the general education curriculum, so that he or she can meet educational standards within the jurisdiction of public education that apply to all children. 

Child Find 

Special Education services are available to eligible children within the Independent School District. The student must be between the ages of 3 and 21 with a documented

disability and an educational need that requires specially-designed instruction. The term “specially-designed instruction” means adapting, as appropriate to the needs of an eligible child under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction. Children with visual and/or auditory impairments may be eligible at birth. A variety of placement options are available if, after a full and individual evaluation, the child is determined as eligible. For children ages 3-5 or for children attending a private or home school, please contact the Special Education Office in Glen Rose at 254-898-3590. 

Documents that you may find helpful are below: 

ARD Guide for Parents 

http://framework.esc18.net/Documents/ARD_Guide_ENG.pdf 

https://framework.esc18.net/Documents/ARD_Guide_SPAN.pdf 

Procedural Safeguards 

http://framework.esc18.net/Documents/Pro_Safeguards_ENG.pdf 

http://framework.esc18.net/Documents/Pro_Safeguards_SPAN.pdf 

Texas Transition and Employment Guide 

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/2018%20Texas%20Transition%20and%20Emplo yment%20Guide%20rev2.pdf 

SB 139: Child Find Requirement