Texas Special Education Allotment
Eligibility
Students with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are served by their district's special education program generate this funding. Texas has over 500,000 students in special education, making this one of the larger funding streams in the Foundation School Program.
- Eligible: All Texas districts serving students with disabilities under IDEA
- Students must have an active IEP
- Funding weight varies by instructional setting (mainstream, resource room, self-contained)
- Automatic funding - no competitive application required
Program Goals
Texas provides weighted per-pupil funding for students receiving special education services. The weight varies based on the instructional setting and intensity of services required. Districts receive this funding automatically through the Foundation School Program based on PEIMS enrollment data.
These funds must support the educational needs of students with disabilities, including instructional materials, assistive technology, and tools that help students access the general curriculum.
Funding Distribution
Special education allotment weights range from 1.1 for students in mainstream settings to significantly higher weights for students requiring more intensive services. The additional funding per student can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars per year depending on the instructional setting.
Allowed Uses
Special Education Allotment funds must support the educational needs of students with disabilities. This includes instructional materials, assistive technology, and tools that help students access curriculum. Hands-on learning tools like physical computing kits can support students with a wide range of learning needs.
Allowable Purchases
Special education funds can purchase instructional materials, assistive technology, and tools that improve access to curriculum for students with disabilities. Physical, tangible learning tools with built-in scaffolding are ideal.
Forward Education Tools That Qualify
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micro:bit Classroom Kits
Tangible, visual coding tools that support students who benefit from concrete, hands-on learning. The physical nature of the hardware helps students who struggle with abstract screen-based coding. -
MicroChat AI Literacy Kit
Step-by-step AI literacy curriculum with built-in scaffolding. Works well in co-taught and resource room settings. Accessible to students with a wide range of learning differences. -
Coding for Climate Kit
Structured, project-based activities with clear visual and tactile components. Supports differentiated instruction for students at different ability levels in the same classroom.
Keep in Mind
Special education funds must connect to student IEPs. Before purchasing, work with special education staff to identify which IEP goals physical computing tools can support - communication, fine motor skills, academic goals, etc.
Physical computing tools work well in co-taught classes where general and special education teachers work together. Students with IEPs participate alongside their peers while receiving appropriate support.
If you plan to purchase tools specifically as assistive technology for named students in an IEP, an AT evaluation may be needed. General instructional tools used program-wide have more flexibility.
When justifying purchases, document how the tools support students with specific disabilities. micro:bit's visual, tactile, and audio outputs make it accessible to students with visual, motor, or processing differences.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents - TEKS and state standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing - classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support - documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence - ready-to-use program outlines
Download the Forward Education Grant Guide
Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.
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