If you pay property taxes in Harris County, you may be wondering where your money goes. Most of it goes to the county and city, but a small amount goes to special districts like the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE).

What is HCDE?

  • HCDE provides educational services that support an average of 79,000 students each year in 25 school districts all across Harris County.

    We have several schools dedicated to special needs students and preschools for low-income families. HCDE also facilitates regional after-school programs and provides more than 50 percent of all special education therapy in the county. We also have one of the largest adult education programs in Texas and offer other essential services, such as educator workshops, safety audits, teacher and principal certification classes, and much more.

So, how much does all of this cost?

  • On average, most Harris County homeowners pay less than $10 a year or 82 cents a month.

    That’s it — 82 cents a month. HCDE is able to make this possible by leveraging every $1 of property taxes into $5 of services through service fees, grants and our purchasing cooperative. In doing so, we are a model of financial efficiency and great stewards of taxpayer dollars!
  • 125,000 AVERAGE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS SERVED ANNUALLY
  • 25 SCHOOL DISTRICTS
  • $0.82 PER MONTH

Schools & Programs

Adult Education

The HCDE Adult Education Program prepares students ages 16 through adulthood to read and speak English and/or to complete a high school General Equivalency Diploma (GED). The program provides workforce development, allowing students the opportunity to gain the necessary skills for better job opportunities or to move into higher education.

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Afterschool Program

The Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment for Kids (CASE for Kids) supplies resources, training and funding for students in grades pre-K through 12 in afterschool programs in schools, child care facilities and community centers.

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Head Start

HCDE’s Head Start and Early Head Start centers serve more than 1,500 students each day, empowering both students and families with school readiness skills and services for success.

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Special Schools

HCDE operates four special schools serving three populations of students: severely emotionally or physically disabled students, troubled or adjudicated youth, and students recovering from addiction. The Schools Division offers individualized learning through small group instruction in highly structured classes with the goal of students returning to their home schools to graduate.

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THERAPY SERVICES

HCDE Therapy Services Division employs occupational, physical and music therapists to help students with disabilities be successful in their classrooms. HCDE provides 100% of therapy services for Houston ISD, Katy ISD and Cy-Fair ISD.

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Adult Education

The HCDE Adult Education Program prepares students ages 16 through adulthood to read and speak English and/or to complete a high school General Equivalency Diploma (GED). The program provides workforce development, allowing students the opportunity to gain the necessary skills for better job opportunities or to move into higher education.

Learn More

Afterschool Program

The Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment for Kids (CASE for Kids) supplies resources, training and funding for students in grades pre-K through 12 in afterschool programs in schools, child care facilities and community centers.

Learn More

Head Start

HCDE’s Head Start and Early Head Start centers serve more than 1,500 students each day, empowering both students and families with school readiness skills and services for success.

Learn More

Special Schools

HCDE operates four special schools serving three populations of students: severely emotionally or physically disabled students, troubled or adjudicated youth, and students recovering from addiction. The Schools Division offers individualized learning through small group instruction in highly structured classes with the goal of students returning to their home schools to graduate.

Learn More

Therapy Services

HCDE Therapy Services Division employs occupational, physical and music therapists to help students with disabilities be successful in their classrooms. HCDE provides 100% of therapy services for Houston ISD, Katy ISD and Cy-Fair ISD.

Learn More

Education and Support Services

Center for Safe and Secure Schools Professional Learning For Educators Choice Partners Cooperative Records Management Grants Development Research and Evaluation Institute

Education and Support Services

Center for Safe and Secure Schools Professional Learning For Educators
Choice Partners Cooperative Records Management
Grants Development Research and Evaluation Institute