The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program, previously, the Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program is a one-time only $1,500 online grant for parents/guardians of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school. Parents/guardians of eligible students can use the online accounts to shop the marketplace to obtain educational materials and resources such as textbooks, curriculum, or technology devices and/or services such as additional speech therapy, tutoring, or other specific services.

Please note, the PDSES program is the same as the SSES program, just with a new name to better reflect the importance of parents as decision makers in the educational process. Families with current SSES applications will still be awarded accounts based on the order they applied. The same students who were eligible for the SSES program are eligible for the PDSES program.  If students already received an SSES grant, they will not be eligible for a PDSES program grant. 

TEA is working to update the name to PDSES, and logo on all outreach materials for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. “Any reference to Supplemental Special Education Services Program, supplemental special education services, supplemental special education services instructional materials, or SSES in state law and TEA materials is to be considered synonymous with the PDSES program.” 19 TAC §102.1601(a).

This school years application window will open on 8:00 am February 3, 2025, and will close at 5:00 pm on March 31, 2025.

·        Program Overview: Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES):
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·    Customizable letter for LEAs to communicate to parents that they are eligible to apply:
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Families and interested stakeholders who wish to receive updates and reminders about the PDSES program, including when the next application window will open, can join our PDSES Email List by visiting our website PDSES.TEA.TEXAS.GOV.

Parents can receive program support by emailing PDSESHelp@region10.org, or by calling SPEDTex at 1-855-773-3839.