# Tex. Education Code § 29.003: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.003

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Education Code § 29.003
- **Heading:** ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code ed / Chapter 29 / Section 29.003

## Text

(a) The agency shall develop specific eligibility criteria based on the general classifications established by this section and in accordance with federal law. Eligible students with disabilities shall enjoy the right to a free appropriate public education, which may include instruction in the general education classroom, instruction through special teaching, or instruction through contracts approved under this subchapter. Instruction shall be supplemented by the provision of related services when appropriate.

(b) A student is eligible to participate in a school district's special education program:

(1) from birth through 21 years of age if the student has a visual impairment, is deaf or hard of hearing, or is deaf-blind and that disability prevents the student from being adequately or safely educated in public school without the provision of special education services;

(2) from three years of age through nine years of age if the student is experiencing developmental delays as described by 20 U.S.C. Section 1401(3)(B) and defined by commissioner rule; or

(3) from 3 years of age through 21 years of age if the student has one or more of the disabilities described by 20 U.S.C. Section 1401(3)(A) and that disability prevents the student from being adequately or safely educated in public school without the provision of special education services.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Education Code § 29.001 § 29.001. IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.001.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.003 § 29.003. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.003.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.004 § 29.004. FULL INDIVIDUAL AND INITIAL EVALUATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.004.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.005 § 29.005. INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.005.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.006 § 29.006. CONTINUING ADVISORY COMMITTEE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.006.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.008 § 29.008. CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES; RESIDENTIAL AND DAY PLACEMENT PROGRAMS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.008.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.009 § 29.009. PUBLIC NOTICE CONCERNING EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.009.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.010 § 29.010. GENERAL SUPERVISION AND COMPLIANCE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.010.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.0011 § 29.0011. PROHIBITED PERFORMANCE INDICATOR.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.0011.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.011 § 29.011. TRANSITION PLANNING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.011.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.0012 § 29.0012. ANNUAL MEETING ON SPECIAL EDUCATION.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.0012.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.012 § 29.012. RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.012.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.013 § 29.013. NONEDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORT SERVICES GRANTS FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.013.md)
- [Tex. Education Code § 29.014 § 29.014. SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT PROVIDE EDUCATION SOLELY TO STUDENTS CONFINED TO OR EDUCATED IN HOSPITALS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.014.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ced_C29_S29.003. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.