HISD believes that each child is unique, and some have special needs or concerns when it comes to learning, but all children have a right to an education. Learning experiences encourage intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Children who learn develop self- confidence and the ability to get along with others. Every child has the capacity to learn, to develop and to grow to his or her potential.

Henderson Independent School District strives to meet the needs of each individual student. The special education department – which is comprised of administrators, diagnosticians, therapists, teachers, and aides – plays a vital role in the completion of that goal.

Child Find

Beginning with the 3-year-old pre-k class, and throughout the remainder of the campuses in resource classes, behavior classes, the VAC department, life skills classes, and through inclusion in the regular classroom, the special education department serves students who have delays or difficulties in a wide range of areas. These areas include language/speech, hearing, vision, cognition, motor/physical development, behavior, and others. If you know a child who may be in need of special education services, click the link below to download the Region VII “Child Find” brochure, which provides pertinent information on identifying students who may qualify for special education services.

Child Find Brochure

Special Education and the Community

Henderson ISD has always been fortunate to have the community support that is so lacking in many districts and communities across the nation. This support extends to the HISD special education department as well. Many businesses in the area work with the special education department to offer employment and other opportunities to HISD special education graduates. In addition, HISD’s special education department offers counseling and transition services to graduating students and their families to assure that they know how to access appropriate outside agencies as well as opportunities for college, technical schools, and in some cases, on the job training.

Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities

The Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities explains the specific rights and responsibilities of the parent in the special education process. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (IDEA 2004) requires school districts to give parents the Procedural Safeguards only one time a year, except upon: initial referral or on request for evaluation; the first occurrence of the filing of a due process hearing complaint; or upon request by a parent.

The Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education Process

The Legal Framework contains federal and state statutes which guide the education of students with disabilities in Texas. All of Henderson ISD’s policies dealing with the education of students with disabilities are located at this site in order to assist parents, students, teachers, administrators and other stakeholders with understanding special education rules and regulations in Henderson ISD (County-District number 201-902).

Special Education and the TAKS test

In the 2007-2008 school year, all students will be required to take the appropriate grade level TAKS tests. In response to this new TEA mandate, the HISD special education department has adopted an “inclusion” model for most special education students. This model involves the students attending core classes under the instruction of a subject-specific regular education teacher who works with the special education teacher to offer the student expertise both in subject matter and methodology.