Parent Resources
Parent- Directed Special Education Services (PDSES)
Program Overview
What is PDSES?
PDSES provides a $1,500 one-time grant to parents of students who are both enrolled in a Texas public school and receive special education services. Parents can use PDSES grant funds to purchase educational goods and services for their student on the online marketplace.
How do I apply?
Parents can only apply during the annual application window. You must have a My SPEDTex account in order to apply when the application opens. You can create a My SPEDTex account on the SPEDTex website at any time. Learn more about the application process on the PDSES website.
Where can I get more information or help?
PDSESHelp
@Region10.org
1-855-773-3839
PDSES Parent Portal FAQs
English Download
Spanish download
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for a PDSES grant, students must:
⬢ be currently enrolled in a Texas public school (grades PK-12th);
⬢ receive special education services through an individualized education program (IEP); and
⬢ have NOT received a PDSES grant in the past – PDSES is a one-time only grant.
Note: The PDSES program has a certain amount of funds from the Texas Legislature to create accounts each school year. Funding for the 2025-2026 application will not be available until fall of 2026 and accounts are awarded based on prioritization.
What can we purchase?
With PDSES accounts, parents are able to purchase educational goods and services from the PDSES online marketplace.
Emotional goods such as:
Books
Laptops
Headphones
Tablets
School Supplies
Education Games
Sensory Items
Therapeutic Items
Printers
Emotional goods such as:
Tutoring
Therapy
Social Skills
Camps
Counseling
Adaptive Fitness
2025-2026 Application Process for Parents
BEFORE the application window opens:
⬢ Go to PDSES.TEA.TEXAS.GOV and sign up to receive email updates about the PDSES program - including how and when to apply.
⬢ Create a My SPEDTex account on the SPEDTex website. You will need to create an account in order to apply. Click on “Create Account/Sign in” to create an account.
⬢ Check to make sure your child is eligible - visit the PDSES Eligibility Page. DURING the application window:
DURING the application window:
⬢ You can start the application process on PDSES.TEA.TEXAS.GOV or go directly to the SPEDTex website and login to your My SPEDTex account by clicking on “Create Account/Sign in”.
⬢ Once logged in to your My SPEDTex account click on the“PDSES Parent Portal” button. Note: your My SPEDTex account will also be your PDSES login.
⬢ Follow the steps online to submit your application(s).
If your student recently enrolled in a Texas public school or had an initial admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) meeting after October 1st of the current school year, please be prepared to upload eligibility documentation when you apply.
After the application window closes:
⬢ Applications are processed in the order they were received and will not be processed until July 2026.
⬢ Parents will receive status updates by email and can also check their status on the PDSES Parent Portal. See all possible statuses and their details on our PDSES Parent Portal FAQs - Status Table.
⬢ If you uploaded eligibility documentation during the application process, your status might change to “In Review” - the PDSES team will review and make a determination.
⬢ Parents of eligible students will receive an “Eligible Student” email with information about how to access their PDSES account and next steps.
⬢ If students are found not eligible, parents can appeal until January 29, 2027, or reapply the following school year. Learn more about appealing a denial.
Create a My SPED Tex account on the
SPEDTex Website.
The 2025 - 2026 school year application window opens:
Application opens on April 1st at 8am CST and closes on April 30th at 5pm CST.
Sign up for emails about the PDSES program, including when the application opens: PDSES email updates.
More Information & Help:
PDSESHelp@Region10.org
1-855-773-3839
PDSES Parent Portal FAQs
PDSES.TEA.TEXAS.GOV
Note: The PDSES program has a certain amount of funds from the Texas Legislature to create accounts each school year.
Funding for the 2025-2026 application will not be available until fall of 2026 and accounts are awarded based on prioritization.