Special Education

Lockhart ISD Special Services Department

The Lockhart ISD Special Services Department supports students that have Special Education services or a Section 504 plan. 

The mission of Lockhart ISD’s Special Services in collaboration with students, staff, family, and community is to compassionately empower individuals by fostering equitable growth through collaborative and inclusive efforts, preparing all for life after graduation, and promoting independence.

To learn more about the Lockhart ISD Special Services Department please visit the Lockhart ISD Special Services Website.

Section 504 covers qualified students with disabilities who attend schools receiving Federal financial assistance. To be protected under Section 504, a student must be determined to: (1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or (2) have a record of such an impairment; or (3) be regarded as having such an impairment. Section 504 requires that school districts provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to qualified students in their jurisdictions who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

When a child receives special education, it means that a public school provides custom services and instruction specific to the needs of that student. Special education is available because of a federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides students with disabilities and their parents special legal rights to receive these individualized learning opportunities.

Comparing Special Education to Section 504

The illustration shows the progression of federal legislative provisions for students. In order to qualify for Special Education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (in the very center of the graphic), the student must be identified as having at least one of the 13 disability criteria and additionally display a need for specially designed instruction (SDI). At the next level you will see that Section 504 is broader in that it is an anti-discrimination law, protecting all individuals with disabilities, whether or not they require specially designed instruction under IDEA; a Section 504 accommodation plan; or Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protections/assurances. As you can see in this graphic, students served in special education are also protected by Section 504.

Link to the Lockhart ISD Special Services Website

• Melody McIntosh, Director of Special Services: (512) 398-0260
• Christina Smith, Special Services Compliance Coordinator: (512) 398-0260