Special Populations

At YES Prep, we are committed to working with families to make sure all of our students get the support they need to be successful. In order to ensure that ALL students have access to a college-ready education, YES Prep offers a variety of services to students in Special Populations. You can find more information about each of our departments by clicking the page in the menu on the right. Read below for more information about how to refer your student for services from one of our departments.

Vision

We will ensure that in every school, in every classroom, every day, exceptional learners at YES Prep engage in rigorous, aligned, and active learning, dramatically increasing college readiness. We will embrace the abilities of all students, empowering them to succeed in rigorous post-secondary opportunities and lead choice-filled lives.

Referrals to Special Populations

For those students who are having difficulty in the regular classroom, all school districts and open enrollment charter schools must consider tutorial, compensatory, and other academic or behavior support services that are available to all students, including a process based on Response to Intervention (RtI). The implementation of RtI has the potential to have a positive impact on the ability of districts and charter schools to meet the needs of all struggling students. 

If a student is experiencing learning difficulties, his or her guardian may contact the individual(s) listed below to learn about the school’s overall general education referral or screening system for support services. This system links students to a variety of support options, including making a referral for a special education evaluation or for a Section 504 evaluation to determine if the student needs specific aids, accommodations, or services. A guardian may request an evaluation for special education or Section 504 services at any time.   

Special Education Referrals & Contact
Section 504 Referrals & Contact

Special Education Referrals & Contact

If a guardian makes a written request for an initial evaluation for special education services to the director of special education services or an administrative employee of the school district or open enrollment charter school, the district or charter school must respond in writing no later than 15 school days after receiving the request. At that time, the district or charter school must give the guardian a prior written notice of whether it agrees to or refuses to evaluate the student, along with a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards.  If the school district or charter school agrees to evaluate the student, it must also give the guardian the opportunity to give written consent for the evaluation.   

Please note that a request for a special education evaluation may be made verbally and does not need to be in writing.  Districts and charter schools must still comply with all federal prior written notice and procedural safeguard requirements and the requirements for identifying, locating, and evaluating children who are suspected of being a child with a disability and in need of special education. However, a verbal request does not require the district or charter school to respond within the 15-school-day timeline. 

If YES Prep decides to evaluate the student, it must complete the student’s initial evaluation and evaluation report no later than 45 school days from the day it receives a guardian’s written consent to evaluate the student.  However, if the student is absent from school during the evaluation period for three or more school days, the evaluation period will be extended by the number of school days equal to the number of school days that the student is absent.  

There is an exception to the 45-school-day timeline.  If a district or charter school receives a guardian’s consent for the initial evaluation at least 35 but less than 45 school days before the last instructional day of the school year, it must complete the written report and provide a copy of the report to the guardian by June 30 of that year. However, if the student is absent from school for three or more days during the evaluation period, the June 30th due date no longer applies. Instead, the general timeline of 45 school days plus extensions for absences of three or more days will apply. 

Upon completing the evaluation, the district or charter school must give the guardian a copy of the evaluation report at no cost. 

Additional information regarding special education is available from the district or charter school in a companion document titled Parent’s Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process.  

Contact for Special Education Referrals 

The designated person to contact regarding options for a student experiencing learning difficulties or regarding a referral for evaluation for special education services is: 

Alexandra Trevino 

713-967-9803

Section 504 Referrals & Contact

Each school district or charter school must have standards and procedures in place for the evaluation and placement of students in the district’s or charter school’s Section 504 program. Districts and charter schools must also implement a system of procedural safeguards that includes notice, an opportunity for a guardian or guardian to examine relevant records, an impartial hearing with an opportunity for participation by the guardian or guardian and representation by counsel, and a review procedure. 

Contact for Section 504 Referrals 

The designated person to contact regarding options for a student experiencing learning difficulties or regarding a referral for evaluation for Section 504 services is: 
Dr. Marva Gavins 
713-967-9000 

Additional Information

The following websites provide information and resources for students with disabilities and their families. 

Outside Service Providers

The ARC-Greater Houston Chapter - Private, nonprofit organization to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities lead ordinary lives and be included in their communities. Services include information and referral, parent support group (bilingual), mentors for adults, social and leisure programs, weekend respite. Summer day camp and advocacy. Assistance with special education.

713-957-1600, 3737 | Dacoma #E, Houston 77092 | Mailing address: PO Box 924168 Houston 77292

Blue Bird Circle Clinic for Pediatric Neurology - Medical, psychological, and educational diagnosis and care for developmentally delayed, learning disabled, children with intellectual disabilities and other health impairments, ages 0-18. Social service consultations. 832-822-5046 | 6701 Fannin, Houston 77030 9th Floor of Clinical Care Center | Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm

The Center - Testing, counseling, schooling, recreation and dental services for those with Intellectual Disabilities. Referrals through schools and State Department of Human Resources – MHMR: daycare for children and adults, residential services, both rural and urban community settings. 713-525-8400 | 3550 W. Dallas, Houston 77019

ECI Project TYKE – Katy ISD - Families with young children, ages 0-3, with developmental delays. Needs-based services provided in the home or natural environment. Services cost based on family cost share; Medicaid, insurance and CHIP accepted. 281-237-6647 | 1736 Katyland Drive, Katy 77493

Family to Family Network - Provides information and referral, education and support for families of children with disabilities. 713-466-6304 | 13150 FM 529, Suite 106, Houston 77041

MedCare Pediatric Group - Occupational, physical and speech therapy. Counseling, case management and assessment for children with autism, PDD, ADHD/ ADD, cerebral palsy, infant drug exposure, and other childhood disorders. Offers aquatic therapy, home therapy, nursing services, parent support groups and respite care. 713-773-5100 | 12371 S. Kirkwood Dr., Stafford 77477

The Harris Center - Provides mental health and psychiatric services, in addition to services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Must be over three (3) years of age and are residents of Harris County, meet financial and diagnostic eligibility requirements. 713-970-7070

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