Our newest practice area, Advanced Learning, serves Texas parents and their employers.

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Families relocating within Texas – along with the companies that employ them – need to know how to identify strong public schools. Once in school, parents of children with learning differences often require assistance in navigating the system.  

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Students with advanced academic ability have different learning needs, and under Texas law, they may qualify for K-12 public school services and placements designed to enable students to reach their full potential. These services may include gifted and talented programs (sometimes called GT, TAG, or GATE), advanced math programs, acceleration placements in a single subject, full-grade acceleration (skipping a grade), AP or IB courses, dual enrollment in college courses, and other advanced opportunities. Without access to a school environment appropriate for their learning differences, students can struggle with motivation, behavior, self-esteem, and more. Students with disabilities can have advanced learning needs, as well, which can delay both identification and access to services.

 

Our Advanced Learning practice maintains a thorough understanding of the laws and requirements governing all aspects of these services from kindergarten through high school graduation, and we guide families in understanding what they can expect and what options they may have. We know the importance of preserving relationships between families and schools, and when things aren’t working the way they should, we know the processes that can bring about changes, both for individual students and to improve district services.  

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For Families

Every school district is different, but the same basic legal requirements apply to Texas public schools statewide.  Whether you live in a large district or a small one, we can help you understand what should be offered to meet advanced academic needs and how this may apply to the strengths and differences of your own child.  We know that nothing matters more than the well-being of your child, and navigating school services can be overwhelming.  We listen carefully to each unique situation, and we enable families to thoroughly understand the options available to meet the advanced learning needs of their individual children.  

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For Businesses

If your business would like to make its employee benefits package more competitive and/or attract new hires with relocation benefits, our services offer a unique and valuable resource to young families. We help parents of students with advanced academic ability to understand applicable educational services and their options under Texas law, enabling them to make well-informed decisions for their children. We invite you to contact us for more information about the advantages of offering a group advising plan as part of your employee benefits. 

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For Organizations

Organizations that provide educational services, family support, or professional development can benefit from an understanding of advanced learning requirements. We have extensive experience sharing this legal framework with groups, and we tailor presentations to the needs and knowledge levels of each individual group.

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Pro Bono

Children with advanced learning needs exist at every income level. Our practice is happy to offer pro bono (fee of charge) advice to low-income families who meet qualifying criteria.  

 

Common Questions

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Some common scenarios in which we can provide assistance:

• Student is deemed to not qualify for GT/TAG services in a particular district, and parents wish to learn about appeals

• Family is moving to a new district, or is choosing between districts, and needs guidance to compare GT/TAG compliance and quality of services

• Components of required services are missing from a particular district’s GT/TAG programming

• A district will not consider academic acceleration, either for a particular student or for any student in a specific grade level, or the acceleration identification criteria do not meet state requirements 

• A student cannot access GT/TAGT services or acceleration due to transportation, scheduling, disability, or another reason

• The GT/TAG services of a particular district do not meet a child’s needs, or a district has proposed a reduction of GT/TAG services, and parents need to know their options

• General questions about advocacy, district compliance with state requirements, and options for pursuing solutions

Contact us and learn how we can help you meet your goals.  We look forward to working with you.