PARENT

	REQUISITOS FEDERALES Y ESTATALES
Práctica	Para un estudiante adulto, la agencia de educación local (LEA) debe cumplir con la estructura de ESTUDIANTE ADULTO Y TRANSFERENCIA DE DERECHOS.
Práctica	Para un niño que está encarcelado en una institución correccional estatal o local para adultos o menores de edad, la LEA debe cumplir con la estructura de NIÑOS QUE ESTÁN ENCARCELADOS.
Práctica	La LEA debe cumplir con las estructuras de REGISTROS según sean aplicables.
	IDENTIFICACIÓN DEL PADRE
Práctica	Padre significa: Citas: 300.30(a) 99.3
Práctica	Un padre biológico o adoptivo del niño; Citas: 300.30(a)(1)
Práctica	Un padre adoptivo del niño que cumple los REQUISITOS PARA QUE UN PADRE ADOPTIVO ACTÚE COMO PADRE; Citas: 300.30(a)(2)
Práctica	Un tutor, pero no el estado, si el niño está bajo tutela del estado; Citas: 300.30(a)(3)
Práctica	Un individuo que actúa en el lugar de un padre biológico o adoptivo, incluyendo un abuelo, padrastro, u otro pariente, con quien el niño vive, o un individuo que sea legalmente responsable por el bienestar del niño; o Citas: 300.30(a)(4)
Práctica	Un individuo designado para ser un padre sustituto. Citas: 300.30(a)(5)
	REQUISITOS PARA QUE UN PADRE ADOPTIVO ACTÚE COMO PADRE
Práctica	Un padre adoptivo puede actuar como un padre de un niño con una discapacidad si los siguientes criterios se cumplen: Citas: 89.1047(a) TEC 29.015(a) TEC 29.015(b)
Documentación	El Departamento de Familia y de Servicios de Protección (DFPS) es designado como el conservador administrativo temporal o permanente del niño; Citas: TEC 29.015(a)(1)
Documentación	Los derechos y los deberes del DFPS para hacer decisiones con respecto a la educación proporcionada al niño no han sido limitados por orden judicial; Citas: TEC 29.015(a)(2)
Documentación	El padre adoptivo acuerda participar en tomar decisiones de educación especial en nombre del niño; Citas: TEC 29.015(a)(3)(A)
Documentación	El padre adoptivo está de acuerdo en completar el PROGRAMA DE CAPACITACIÓN PARA PADRES ADOPTIVOS Y SUSTITUTOS que cumple con los requisitos de esta estructura; y Citas: TEC 29.015(a)(3)(B)
Documentación	El padre adoptivo completa un PROGRAMA DE CAPACITACIÓN PARA PADRES ADOPTIVOS Y SUSTITUTOS antes de la próxima reunión programada del comité de admisión, revision, y retiro (ARD) para el niño a no más tardar del día 90 después de la fecha que el padre adoptivo comienza a actuar como el padre con el propósito de hacer decisiones de educación especial. Citas: 89.1047(a)(1) TEC 29.015(b)
Práctica	A más tardar del quinto día después de la fecha que el niño con una discapacidad es matriculado en una escuela, el DFPS debe informar a la LEA apropiada si el padre adoptivo del niño no quiere o no puede servir como un padre para los propósitos de esta estructura. Citas: TEC 29.015(d)
Práctica	La LEA debe asegurar que el padre adoptivo ha recibido un PROGRAMA DE CAPACITACIÓN PARA PADRES ADOPTIVOS Y SUSTITUTOS que cumple con los requisitos de esta estructura. Citas: 89.1047(a)(1)
Práctica	Una vez que un individuo ha completado un PROGRAMA DE CAPACITACIÓN PARA PADRES ADOPTIVOS Y SUSTITUTOS, el individuo no debe ser requerido por cualquier LEA a completar capacitación adicional para poder servir como el padre para el niño u otros niños con discapacidades que están en cuidado temporal. Citas: 89.1047(a)(2) TEC 29.015(b-1)
Documentación	Si la LEA niega a un padre adoptivo el derecho de servir como un padre, la LEA debe proporcionar al padre adoptivo con aviso escrito de tal negación dentro de siete días de calendario después de la fecha en cual la decisión fue tomada. El aviso por escrito debe: Citas: 89.1047(b)
Documentación	Explicar específicamente por qué al padre adoptivo se le ha negado el derecho de servir como padre del niño; e Citas: 89.1047(b)(1)
Documentación	Informar al padre adoptivo del derecho de presentar una queja con la Agencia de Educación de Texas (TEA). Citas: 89.1047(b)(2) TEC 29.015(c)
	NOMBRAMIENTO DE UN PADRE SUSTITUTO
Práctica	El nombramiento de un padre sustituto aplica a niños con discapacidades para quienes: Citas: TEC 29.0151(a)
Documentación	El DFPS es designado como el conservador administrativo temporal o permanente del niño; y Citas: TEC 29.0151(a)(1)
Documentación	Los derechos y deberes del DFPS de tomar decisiones con respecto a la educación proporcionada al niño no han sido limitados por orden judicial. Citas: TEC 29.0151(a)(2)
Práctica	La LEA debe hacer esfuerzos razonables para designar a un padre sustituto no más de 30 días después de que se determine que el niño necesita un padre sustituto a menos que el juez que supervisa el cuidado del niño designa al padre sustituto. Citas: 300.519(h) TX Family Code 263.0025
Práctica	Cuando un padre sustituto no ha sido designado por el juez, la LEA debe designar un padre sustituto si: Citas: 89.1047(c) TEC 29.0151(b) 300.519(a)
Documentación	La LEA no puede identificar un padre para el niño; Citas: 89.1047(c) TEC 29.0151(b)(1) 300.519(a)(1)
Documentación	La LEA no puede, después de esfuerzos razonables, localizar un padre para el niño; Citas: 89.1047(c) TEC 29.0151(b)(1) 300.519(a)(2)
Documentación	El padre adoptivo del niño no está dispuesto o no puede servir como un padre para los propósitos de esta estructura; Citas: 89.1047(c) TEC 29.0151(b)(2)
Documentación	El niño no reside en un ambiente de hogar temporal; Citas: 89.1047(c)
Documentación	El niño está bajo la tutela del estado; o Citas: 300.519(a)(3) 300.519(c)
Documentación	El niño es un joven solo sin hogar. Citas: 300.519(a)(4) 300.519(f) 42 USC 11434a(6)
Práctica	La LEA debe asegurar que la persona designada como un padre sustituto no es: Citas: 89.1047(d) TEC 29.0151(c) 300.519(d)(2) 300.519(e)
Práctica	Un empleado de la TEA; Citas: 89.1047(b) 300.519(d)(2)(i)
Práctica	Un empleado de la LEA; Citas: 89.1047(d) TEC 29.0151(c)(1) 300.519(d)(2)(i)
Práctica	Un empleado de alguna otra agencia involucrada en la educación o cuidado del niño; o Citas: 89.1047(d) TEC 29.0151(c)(1) 300.519(d)(2)(i)
Práctica	Una persona con cualquier interés en conflicto con el interés del niño a quien el padre sustituto representa. Citas: 89.1047(d) TEC 29.0151(c)(2) 300.519(d)(2)(ii)
Práctica	La LEA debe desarrolar e implementar procedimientos para conducir un análisis de si un posible padre sustituto tiene un interés que está en conflicto con los intereses del niño. Temas relacionados con la calidad de cuidado del niño no constituyen un conflicto de interés. Citas: 89.1047(d)
Práctica	La LEA puede designar a una persona que ha sido designada para servir como tutor ad litem del niño o como un defensor voluntario certificado por la corte, como el padre sustituto del niño. Citas: TEC 29.0151(e) TX Family Code 107.031(c)
Práctica	La LEA debe asegurar que un padre sustituto asignado por la LEA: Citas: TEC 29.0151(d) TEC 29.001(10)
Práctica	Está dispuesto a servir en esa capacidad; Citas: TEC 29.0151(d)(1)
Práctica	Emplea juicio independiente al seguir los intereses del niño; Citas: TEC 29.0151(d)(2) TEC 29.001(10)(F)
Práctica	Asegura que no se violan los derechos de debido proceso del niño bajo las leyes aplicables federales y estatales; Citas: TEC 29.0151(d)(3) TEC 29.001(10)(G)
Práctica	Visita al niño y a la escuela del niño; Citas: TEC 29.0151(d)(5) TEC 29.001(10)(B)
Práctica	Revisa los registros educativos del niño; Citas: TEC 29.0151(d)(6) TEC 29.001(10)(D)
Práctica	Consulta con las personas involucradas en la educación del niño, incluyendo maestros, trabajadores sociales, voluntarios designados por la corte, tutores ad litem, abogados ad litem, padres adoptivos, y guardianes; Citas: TEC 29.0151(d)(7) TEC 29.001(10)(C)
Práctica	Asiste a juntas del COMITÉ DE ADMISIÓN, REPASO, Y RETIRO del niño; y Citas: TEC 29.0151(d)(8) TEC 29.001(10)(E)
Práctica	Completa un PROGRAMA DE CAPACITACIÓN PARA PADRES ADOPTIVOS Y SUSTITUTOS antes de la próxima junta programada del comité de ARD para el niño pero a no más tardar del día 90 después de la fecha inicial del nombramiento como padre sustituto. Citas: 89.1047(c)(3) TEC 29.0151(d)(4) TEC 29.001(10)(A) 300.519(d)(2)(iii)
Práctica	Una vez que un individuo ha completado un PROGRAMA DE CAPACITACIÓN PARA PADRES ADOPTIVOS Y SUSTITUTOS, el individuo no debe ser requerido por cualquier LEA a completar capacitación adicional para poder servir como el padre sustituto para el niño u otros niños con discapacidades que están en cuidado temporal. Citas: 89.1047(c)(4) TEC 29.015(b-1)
	NIÑOS SIN HOGAR O EN CUIDADO SUSTITUTO
Práctica	Para niños sin hogar o en cuidado sustituto, la LEA debe también proveer aviso a la persona que toma decisón educativa para el niño y al trabajador social acerca de: Citas: TEC 25.007(b)(10)(A)
Práctica	Una JUNTA DEL COMITÉ DE ADMISIÓN, RVISIÓN Y RETIRO; Citas: TEC 25.007(b)(10)(B)
Práctica	Revisiones de DETERMINACIÓN DE MANIFESTACIÓN; y Citas: TEC 25.007(b)(10)(C)
Práctica	El nombramiento de un padre sustituto. Citas: TEC 25.007(b)(10)(H) TEC 29.0151(e-1)
	INCUMPLIMIENTO DE LOS DEBERES DEL PADRE SUSTITUTO DESIGNADO POR LA CORTE
Práctica	Si la corte designa a un padre sustituto para el niño con una discapacidad, y la LEA determina que el padre sustituto no está desempeñando apropiadamente los deberes nombrados bajo esta estructura, la LEA debe consultar con el DFPS acerca de si otra persona debe ser nombrada para servir como el padre sustituto para el niño. Citas: 89.1047(e) TEC 29.0151(f) TX Family Code 263.0025
	PROGRAMA DE CAPACITACIÓN PARA PADRES ADOPTIVOS Y SUSTITUTOS
Práctica	El programa de capacitacion requerido debe proporcionar a los padres adoptivos y sustitutos con una explicación de las disposiciones de las leyes federales y estatales, reglas y reglamentos relacionados con: Citas: 89.1047(a)(1) 89.1047(c)(1) TEC 29.001(10)(A) 300.519(d)(2)(iii)
Práctica	La identificación del niño con una discapacidad como se describe en las estructuras de BUSCAR AL NIÑO; Citas: 89.1047(c)(1)(A)
Práctica	Reunir los datos de evaluación y de reevaluación relacionados al niño con una discapacidad como se describe en las estructuras de EVALUACIÓN; Citas: 89.1047(c)(1)(B)
Práctica	El proceso del COMITÉ DE ADMISIÓN, REVISIÓN, Y RETIRO; Citas: 89.1047(c)(1)(C)
Práctica	El desarrollo de un programa de educación individualizado (IEP) y, para el niño que tiene por lo menos 16 años de edad, SERVICIOS DE TRANSICIÓN; Citas: 89.1047(c)(1)(D)
Práctica	La determinación del AMBIENTE MENOS RESTRICTIVO; Citas: 89.1047(c)(1)(E)
Práctica	La implementación de un IEP como se describe en las estructuras de COMITÉ DE ADMISIÓN, REPASO, Y RETIRO; Citas: 89.1047(c)(1)(F)
Práctica	El Aviso Sobre Procedimientos de Protección; Citas: 89.1047(c)(1)(G)
Práctica	Las fuentes con las cuales el padre sustituto puede ponerse en contacto para obtener ayuda para poder entender las disposiciones de las leyes federales y estatales, reglas, y reglamentos relacionadas a niños con discapacidades; y Citas: 89.1047(c)(1)(H)
Práctica	Los deberes y responsabilidades de padres sustitutos bajo la ley estatal. Citas: 89.1047(c)(1)(I) TEC 29.0151(d)
Práctica	El programa de capacitación debe ser proporcionado en la lengua materna u otro modo de comunicación usado por el individuo siendo capacitado. Citas: 89.1047(c)(2)
Práctica	Las LEAs pueden proporcionar capacitación opcional continua o suplementaria. Citas: 89.1047(a)(2) 89.1047(c)(4)
Práctica	La capacitación requerida puede ser conducida o proporcionada por: Citas: 89.1047(a)(2) 89.1047(c)(4) TEC 29.015(b-1)
Práctica	El DFPS; Citas: 89.1047(a)(2) 89.1047(c)(4) TEC 29.015(b-1)(1)
Práctica	La LEA; Citas: 89.1047(a)(2) 89.1047(c)(4) TEC 29.015(b-1)(2)
Práctica	Un centro de servicio de educación; o Citas: 89.1047(a)(2) 89.1047(c)(4) TEC 29.015(b-1)(3)
Práctica	Cualquier otra entidad que recibe fondos federales para proporcionar capacitación de La Ley de Educación para Individuos con Discapacidades a padres. Citas: 89.1047(a)(2) 89.1047(c)(4) TEC 29.015(b-1)(4)

Name	Last Updated On

Name	Last Updated On

34 Code of Federal Regulations § 99.3 What definitions apply to these regulations?

The following definitions apply to this part:

Act means the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, enacted as section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act.

Attendance includes, but is not limited to—
(a) Attendance in person or by paper correspondence, videoconference, satellite, Internet, or other electronic information and telecommunications technologies for students who are not physically present in the classroom; and
(b) The period during which a person is working under a work-study program.

Authorized representative means any entity or individual designated by a State or local educational authority or an agency headed by an official listed in §99.31(a)(3) to conduct—with respect to Federal- or State-supported education programs—any audit or evaluation, or any compliance or enforcement activity in connection with Federal legal requirements that relate to these programs.

Biometric record, as used in the definition of personally identifiable information, means a record of one or more measurable biological or behavioral characteristics that can be used for automated recognition of an individual. Examples include fingerprints; retina and iris patterns; voiceprints; DNA sequence; facial characteristics; and handwriting.

Dates of attendance.
(a) The term means the period of time during which a student attends or attended an educational agency or institution. Examples of dates of attendance include an academic year, a spring semester, or a first quarter.
(b) The term does not include specific daily records of a student's attendance at an educational agency or institution.

Directory information means information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.
(a) Directory information includes, but is not limited to, the student’s name; address; telephone listing; electronic mail address; photograph; date and place of birth; major field of study; grade level; enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full-time or part-time); dates of attendance; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; degrees, honors, and awards received; and the most recent educational agency or institution attended.
(b) Directory information does not include a student’s—
   (1) Social security number; or
   (2) Student identification (ID) number, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this definition.
(c) In accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this definition, directory information includes—
   (1) A student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used by a student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic
   systems, but only if the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that
   authenticate the user’s identity, such as a personal identification number (PIN), password or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized
   user; and
   (2) A student ID number or other unique personal identifier that is displayed on a student ID badge, but only if the identifier cannot be used to gain
   access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user’s identity, such as a PIN, password, or
   other factor known or possessed only by the authorized user.

Disciplinary action or proceeding means the investigation, adjudication, or imposition of sanctions by an educational agency or institution with respect to an infraction or violation of the internal rules of conduct applicable to students of the agency or institution. Disclosure means to permit access to or the release, transfer, or other communication of personally identifiable information contained in education records to any party, by any means, including oral, written, or electronic means.

Disclosure means to permit access to or the release, transfer, or other communication of personally identifiable information contained in education records by any means, including oral, written, or electronic means, to any party except the party identified as the party that provided or created the record.

Early childhood education program means—
(a) A Head Start program or an Early Head Start program carried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), including a migrant or seasonal
Head Start program, an Indian Head Start program, or a Head Start program or an Early Head Start program that also receives State funding;
(b) A State licensed or regulated child care program; or
(c) A program that—
   (1) Serves children from birth through age six that addresses the children’s cognitive (including language, early literacy, and early mathematics), social,
   emotional, and physical development; and
   (2) Is—
      (i) A State prekindergarten program;
      (ii) A program authorized under section 619 or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; or
      (iii) A program operated by a local educational agency.

Educational agency or institution means any public or private agency or institution to which this part applies under §99.1(a).

Education program means any program that is principally engaged in the provision of education, including, but not limited to, early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, postsecondary education, special education, job training, career and technical education, and adult education, and any program that is administered by an educational agency or institution.

Education records.
(a) The term means those records that are:
   (1) Directly related to a student; and
   (2) Maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution.
(b) The term does not include:
   (1) Records that are kept in the sole possession of the maker, are used only as a personal memory aid, and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the record.
   (2) Records of the law enforcement unit of an educational agency or institution, subject to the provisions of §99.8.
   (3)
      (i) Records relating to an individual who is employed by an educational agency or institution, that:
         (A) Are made and maintained in the normal course of business;
         (B) Relate exclusively to the individual in that individual's capacity as an employee; and
         (C) Are not available for use for any other purpose.
      (ii) Records relating to an individual in attendance at the agency or institution who is employed as a result of his or her status as a student are
      education records and not excepted under paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this definition.
   (4) Records on a student who is 18 years of age or older, or is attending an institution of postsecondary education, that are:
      (i) Made or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional acting in his or her professional
      capacity or assisting in a paraprofessional capacity;
      (ii) Made, maintained, or used only in connection with treatment of the student; and
      (iii) Disclosed only to individuals providing the treatment. For the purpose of this definition, “treatment” does not include remedial educational
      activities or activities that are part of the program of instruction at the agency or institution; and
   (5) Records created or received by an educational agency or institution after an individual is no longer a student in attendance and that are not directly
   related to the individual’s attendance as a student.
   (6) Grades on peer-graded papers before they are collected and recorded by a teacher.

Eligible student means a student who has reached 18 years of age or is attending an institution of postsecondary education.

Institution of postsecondary education means an institution that provides education to students beyond the secondary school level; “secondary school level” means the educational level (not beyond grade 12) at which secondary education is provided as determined under State law.

Parent means a parent of a student and includes a natural parent, a guardian, or an individual acting as a parent in the absence of a parent or a guardian.

Party means an individual, agency, institution, or organization.

Personally Identifiable Information

The term includes, but is not limited to—
(a) The student’s name;
(b) The name of the student’s parent or other family members;
(c) The address of the student or student’s family;
(d) A personal identifier, such as the student’s social security number, student number, or biometric record;
(e) Other indirect identifiers, such as the student’s date of birth, place of birth, and mother’s maiden name;
(f) Other information that, alone or in combination, is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community, who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty; or
(g) Information requested by a person who the educational agency or institution reasonably believes knows the identity of the student to whom the education record relates.

Record means any information recorded in any way, including, but not limited to, handwriting, print, computer media, video or audio tape, film, microfilm, and microfiche.

Secretary means the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education or an official or employee of the Department of Education acting for the Secretary under a delegation of authority.

Student, except as otherwise specifically provided in this part, means any individual who is or has been in attendance at an educational agency or institution and regarding whom the agency or institution maintains education records.

Last Amended: 76 FR 75641, Dec. 2, 2011
Entered: Jan. 19, 2012

Texas Family Code § 263.0025. Special Education Decision-Making for Children In Foster Care.

(a) In this section, "child" means a child in the temporary or permanent managing conservatorship of the department who is eligible under Section 29.003, Education Code, to participate in a school district’s special education program.

(a-1) A foster parent for a child may act as a parent for the child, as authorized under 20 U.S.C. Section 1415(b), if:
(1) the rights and duties of the department to make decisions regarding the child’s education under Section 153.371 have not been limited by court order; and
(2) the foster parent agrees to the requirements of Sections 29.015(a)(3) and (b), Education Code.

(a-2) Sections 29.015(b-1), (c), and (d), Education Code, apply to a foster parent who acts or desires to act as a parent for a child for the purpose of making special education decisions.

(b) To ensure the educational rights of a child are protected in the special education process, the court may appoint a surrogate parent for the child if:
(1) the child’s school district is unable to identify or locate a parent for the child; or
(2) the foster parent of the child is unwilling or unable to serve as a parent for the purposes of this subchapter.

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), the court may appoint a person to serve as a child’s surrogate parent if the person:
(1) is willing to serve in that capacity; and
(2) meets the requirements of 20 U.S.C. Section.

(d) The following persons may not be appointed as a surrogate parent for the child:
(1) an employee of the department;
(2) an employee of the Texas Education Agency;
(3) an employee of a school or school district; or
(4) an employee of any other agency that is involved in the education or care of the child.

(e) The court may appoint a child’s guardian ad litem or court-certified volunteer advocate, as provided by Section 107.031(c), as the child’s surrogate parent.

(f) In appointing a person to serve as the surrogate parent for a child, the court may consider the person’s ability to meet the qualifications listed under Sections 29.0151(d)(2)-(8), Education Code.

(g) If the court prescribes training for a person who is appointed as the surrogate parent for a child, the training program must comply with the minimum standards for training established by rule by the Texas Education Agency.

Last Amended: 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1025, (H.B. 1556), Sec. 4, eff. June 15, 2017
Entered: Aug. 21, 2017

19 Texas Administrative Code § 89.1047. Procedures for Special Education Decision-Making for Students in Foster Care.

. . .
(c) Except as provided by Texas Family Code, §263.0025, which authorizes a court to appoint a surrogate parent, if a district cannot locate or identify a parent, if the foster parent is unwilling or unable to serve as a parent, or if the student does not reside in a foster home setting, the school district must assign a surrogate parent to make special education decisions on behalf of the student. An individual assigned by a school district to act as a surrogate parent for a student with a disability, in accordance with 34 CFR, §300.519, and TEC, §29.0151, relating to surrogate parents, must comply with the requirements specified in TEC, §29.001(10).
(1) Pursuant to TEC, §29.001(10)(A), a foster parent serving as a parent or an individual assigned by a school district to act as a surrogate parent must complete a training program in which the individual is provided with an explanation of the provisions of federal and state laws, rules, and regulations relating to:
(A) the identification of a student with a disability;
(B) the collection of evaluation and re-evaluation data relating to a student with a disability;
(C) the ARD committee process;
(D) the development of an individualized education program (IEP), including the consideration of transition services for a student who is at least 14 years of age;
(E) the determination of least restrictive environment;
(F) the implementation of an IEP;
(G) the procedural rights and safeguards available under 34 CFR, §§300.148, 300.151-300.153, 300.229, 300.300, 300.500-300.520, 300.530-300.537, and 300.610-300.627, relating to the issues described in 34 CFR, §300.504(c);
(H) where to obtain assistance in understanding the provisions of federal and state laws, rules, and regulations relating to students with disabilities; and
(I) the duties and responsibilities of surrogate parents as required under TEC, §29.0151(d).
(2) The training program described in subsection (c)(1) of this section must be provided in the native language or other mode of communication used by the individual being trained.
(3) To serve as a student's surrogate parent, a school district must ensure that the surrogate parent has received training described in subsection (c)(1) of this section. The individual assigned by a school district to act as a surrogate parent must complete the training program before the student's next scheduled ARD committee meeting but not later than the 90th day after the date of initial assignment as a surrogate parent.
(4) The training program can be conducted or provided by the TDFPS, a school district, an education service center, or any entity that receives federal funds to provide IDEA training to parents. Once an individual has completed the training, the individual may not be required by any school district to complete additional training in order to serve as the surrogate parent or the parent for the student or other students with disabilities who are in foster care. School districts may provide optional ongoing or supplemental training.
. . .

Last Amended: March 14, 2021, 46 TexReg 1466
Entered: October 19, 2021

Texas Family Code § 263.0025. Special Education Decision-Making for Children In Foster Care.

(a) In this section, "child" means a child in the temporary or permanent managing conservatorship of the department who is eligible under Section 29.003, Education Code, to participate in a school district’s special education program.

(a-1) A foster parent for a child may act as a parent for the child, as authorized under 20 U.S.C. Section 1415(b), if:
(1) the rights and duties of the department to make decisions regarding the child’s education under Section 153.371 have not been limited by court order; and
(2) the foster parent agrees to the requirements of Sections 29.015(a)(3) and (b), Education Code.

(a-2) Sections 29.015(b-1), (c), and (d), Education Code, apply to a foster parent who acts or desires to act as a parent for a child for the purpose of making special education decisions.

(b) To ensure the educational rights of a child are protected in the special education process, the court may appoint a surrogate parent for the child if:
(1) the child’s school district is unable to identify or locate a parent for the child; or
(2) the foster parent of the child is unwilling or unable to serve as a parent for the purposes of this subchapter.

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), the court may appoint a person to serve as a child’s surrogate parent if the person:
(1) is willing to serve in that capacity; and
(2) meets the requirements of 20 U.S.C. Section.

(d) The following persons may not be appointed as a surrogate parent for the child:
(1) an employee of the department;
(2) an employee of the Texas Education Agency;
(3) an employee of a school or school district; or
(4) an employee of any other agency that is involved in the education or care of the child.

(e) The court may appoint a child’s guardian ad litem or court-certified volunteer advocate, as provided by Section 107.031(c), as the child’s surrogate parent.

(f) In appointing a person to serve as the surrogate parent for a child, the court may consider the person’s ability to meet the qualifications listed under Sections 29.0151(d)(2)-(8), Education Code.

(g) If the court prescribes training for a person who is appointed as the surrogate parent for a child, the training program must comply with the minimum standards for training established by rule by the Texas Education Agency.

Last Amended: 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1025, (H.B. 1556), Sec. 4, eff. June 15, 2017
Entered: Aug. 21, 2017

PADRE

Authorities: 42 USC §11434a; 34 CFR Parts 99 and 300; Texas Education Code; Texas Family Code; 19 TAC Chapter 89