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Dear PDSES parents/guardians and interested stakeholders*,
Thank you for signing up to receive Parent‑Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) reminders. In case you missed it, you can watch our recent webinar that gives an overview of the PDSES program, hosted by SPEDTex on January 21, 2026.
What you’ll learn in the webinar:
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How the PDSES program works: PDSES is a one-time $1,500 grant for families of Texas public school students served through special education. Funds are provided in an online account to purchase educational goods and services for your student.
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Who is eligible: Students must
- be enrolled in a Texas public school (EE–12th grade, including 18+ programs),
- receive special education services through an IEP (not a 504 plan), and
- not have received PDSES funds before.
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Program history and impact: PDSES began in 2021 and has awarded over 230,000 accounts to date. Families report high satisfaction and share testimonials about the positive impact on their children’s learning and well-being.
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How and when to apply:
- The application window for the 2025–2026 school year is April 1–30, 2026. Applications are submitted through your PDSES Parent Portal, which is accessed through your My SPEDTex account.
- The webinar provides step-by-step instructions for creating an account, adding your student, and submitting your application during the window.
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What families can purchase:
- Educational goods: books, computers, tablets, school supplies, sensory items, therapeutic items, and more.
- Educational services: tutoring, therapy (speech, occupational, ABA, dyslexia), summer camps, counseling, and more.
- Access to over 70 approved vendors in the PDSES marketplace (ClassWallet), with examples of popular items and services.
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Purchasing guidelines: All purchases must provide a direct educational benefit to the student. There are limits on quantity and price for certain items.
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Frequently asked questions: The webinar covers common questions about eligibility, the application process, account activation, spending deadlines, and what to do if your application is waitlisted or denied.
We look forward to supporting you and your family!
Best regards,
The PDSES Program Team
* If you no longer wish to receive updates from PDSES, you can unsubscribe at any time by contacting us via email at PDSESInfo@tea.texas.gov.
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