We built this page during 2019-2020 school year, and the Dickinson ISD Special Programs Leadership team continuously updates it to stay current with relevant federal and state guidelines. This page contains the published DISD Special Education Operating Procedures & Guidelines.

This information will be reviewed, amended and updated annually to reflect changes in local, state, federal policies, board policies and administrative practices and procedures regarding students with disabilities. The special education team is available for further clarification and assistance.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) is the federal law that governs the special education process. One of the main purposes of IDEA is to ensure that children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. Related services are special services needed to support students’ special education services so they can make progress to meet their academic and functional goals. Related services can include services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, counseling services, orientation and mobility services, and/or transportation services. 

Parents click here for TEA Publication Resources (Notice of Procedural Safeguards, Parent's Guide to the ARD Process, Special Education Rules and Regulations)

Department Leadership

Maggie Burk Coordinator of Evaluation and

Related Services

Laura Batson Coordinator of Special Programs

Compliance & Instructional Support

Mission Statement

The DISD Special Education Department exists to provide leadership and service to equip campuses with the knowledge and services to meet the district mission to have safe and successful learning opportunities that help them reach their full potential and add quality throughout their lives.  

Beliefs

The department believes in the power and importance of collaboration with campus staff, parents and students, advocates and other service organizations in order to provide a loving and structured educational environment based on federal, state and local guidelines for all our students who have special needs.

Vision

To be recognized as a Special Education department that is constantly focused on a growth mindset, we believe that change is inevitable and progress is a choice. We believe that we provide a quality education for all the  students who receive special education services in order for them to have access to the general education curriculum from a continuum of service delivery models.

Department Motto

Whatever the student needs is our job description!

Department Philosophy