Relating to developing a strategic plan for the improvement and expansion of early learning and educational opportunities for young children with disabilities.

Learning plan for children with disabilities

Texas requires a statewide plan to improve early learning for young children with disabilities or developmental delays. The Texas Education Agency must develop and carry out the plan with the health and human services and workforce commissions. It covers prekindergarten, including school–community child-care partnerships; early childhood special education; and child care in the state's subsidized program. The plan must identify barriers to including these children and recommend changes to laws, rules, funding, and policies. It must address staff training, staffing, provider stability, effective services, use of existing resources, and partnerships. It must also address smoother family transitions from early intervention to early childhood special education, then to special education. Agencies must coordinate with state and local partners, the governor's Texas Early Learning Council, nonprofits, and social service providers. The three agency leaders must sign the inclusion strategies. The first plan must be posted on agency websites and sent to the governor and legislative leaders by September 1, 2026. Updates for each next four-year period must be submitted and posted by September 1 of the current period's last state fiscal year. The law does not guarantee new services, set funding amounts, or change individual eligibility.