Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA): Disability Certification Form
If you are applying for a Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) for your child, you may encounter the Disability Certification Form as part of the application process. This form often raises a lot of questions for families: what it certifies, who can complete it, and why a comprehensive evaluation is required.
As a licensed psychologist and provider authorized to complete and sign the TEFA Disability Certification Form, I want to clarify what families should know and how this process typically works.
What is Needed for a Child to be Considered a Child with a Disability?
According to TEFA, acceptable proof includes one of the following:
An individualized education program (IEP) issued by a Texas school district or an open-enrollment charter school
A full individual and initial evaluation (FIE / FIIE) of the child conducted by a Texas school district
An IEP created for the child by a school district in another state and verified by that state or school district (if a child is moving to Texas from another state)
The Comptroller’s Disability Certification Form signed by one or more licensed professionals who are qualified to attest the child meets the applicable disability definition.
What is the Comptroller’s Disability Certification Form?
The TEFA Disability Certification Form is used to formally verify that a student has a qualifying disability under the Education Freedom Account program, if the child does not have an IEP on file with TEA. The purpose of the form is to document that a student meets eligibility criteria for a disability, thereby receiving priority application status. It does not translate to additional funding.
This is not simply a checkbox or confirmation of past services. It is a professional certification that:
A disability is present
The disability substantially impacts educational functioning
The determination is supported by appropriate, and recent, evaluation data
Who Can Complete the TEFA Disability Certification Form?
Only qualified, credentialed professionals are permitted to complete and sign the TEFA Disability Certification Form. In most cases, this includes licensed psychologists and other approved providers when the certification is based on a comprehensive evaluation.
At Brightside, we are approved providers able to complete and sign TEFA Disability Certification Forms when we have personally conducted the evaluation supporting the disability determination. This requirement exists to ensure that eligibility decisions are accurate and defensible and documentation meets the TEFA standards.
What Types of Disabilities May Qualify?
Disability certification for TEFA may be appropriate for students with:
Learning disorders (such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia)
Intellectual Disability
Autism Spectrum
Anxiety, mood, or other mental health conditions that significantly impact learning
ADHD (however, this form needs to be completed by a licensed physician)
What the Process Typically Looks Like
When families seek TEFA disability certification through Brightside Psychology, the process generally includes:
An intake meeting
A comprehensive evaluation tailored to the student’s educational needs
A detailed written report documenting findings and diagnostic conclusions
Professional determination of disability status as defined by TEFA guidelines
Completion and signing of the TEFA Disability Certification Form, if applicable
Our goal is to ensure families receive documentation that is thorough, accurate, and aligned with TEFA requirements.
Ethics, Accuracy, and Advocacy
The TEFA Disability Certification Form is a legal and ethical document. When we sign this form, we are certifying that the evaluation data supports the determination of a disability under the program’s criteria.
At the same time, we view this work as advocacy: helping families access educational options and resources that allow their child to thrive.
Is TEFA Disability Certification Right for Your Child?
If you are considering applying for a TEFA, and are unsure whether your child needs updated testing or disability certification, a consultation can help clarify next steps.
If you are in the Houston area and are considering an evaluation, we would be honored to walk alongside you.
