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Texas Education Agency










*February 2024*




*Special Education Newsletter**
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Announcements


*STATE SYSTEMIC IMPROVEMENT PLAN QUARTERLY ANNOUNCEMENT* 
TEA’s State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) is a multi-year alignment effort aimed at achieving the following goal: *increase the reading proficiency rate for all children with disabilities in grades 4, 8, and high school against grade level and alternate achievement standards, with or without accommodations.*   The SSIP includes a Theory of Action framework. This framework contains four key strands of action to build capacity for improving reading proficiency for students receiving special education at the state, regional, local educational agencies (LEA), campus, and teacher levels.  *The STAAR reading performance for fourth grade students receiving special education** decreased over 5% from the previous academic school year.* TEA met with external stakeholders to discuss both potential factors contributing to this decline in reading performance and explore reading related resources that are currently accessible to LEAs.  *TEA offers courses to support best practices related to learning and literacy* that were highlighted in November, including: 
* *Literacy Supports - Autism Spectrum Disorder and Assistive Technology* [ [link removed] ]* (0.75 CPE credits)*   
* *Literacy Instruction for Students with Autism* [ [link removed] ]* (6 CPE credits)* 
*TEA also offers additional free, self-paced courses that align with TEA’s key strands of action from the State’s SSIP Theory of Action framework* (view resources here: Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ]).   The following *AIM course is **aligned with TEA’s commitment to providing resources to promote capacity building* (TEA’s SSIP Key Strand of Action #1):  
* *Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) for Students with Complex Access Needs* [ [link removed] ]*(3 CPE credits)* 
The AIM course is focused on the *design and implementation of accessible instructional materials for students with complex access needs.*  Additionally, the following *"Literacy for All!" course **is aligned with TEA’s commitment toward expanding reading initiatives and opportunities* (SSIP Key Strand of Action #2). 
* *Literacy for All!* [ [link removed] ] *(6 CPE credits)* 
The "Literacy for All!" course is aimed at designing inclusive literacy learning environments *to support educators and their understanding related to **teaching foundational reading skills** for **students who struggle* to read on grade level, particularly students in grades 4-12. 




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Upcoming Dates


* *February 29*: Deadline for the Cameras in the Classroom Survey for 2022-2023 completed in the Legal Framework [ [link removed] ]. Questions? Reach out your regional LF representative listed on the website.
* *Open now through March 27*: Application window for the _Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant Award [ [link removed] ]_
* *Open now through April 30: *Texas SPED Support user survey [ [link removed] ] is intended to gauge users' experience navigating the website. 
* *March 1*** from 10:30 - 11:30: **Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness: After the Report - Screening & Investigation webinar - Have you ever wondered what happens after a report on suspected child abuse has occurred? The Department of Family & Protective Services will take educators behind the scenes to learn what happens after a report has been made. The Investigations division of TEA will join to share the process of educator investigations. Register HERE [ [link removed] ].
* *March 1 - May 1*: HCF application period for 2023-2024. Please refer to the HCF webpage [ [link removed] ] for additional information and resources. REMINDER: If you submitted a Non-Public Day or Non-Public Residential application for a student and would also like to submit a High Cost Fund application for that student, their Non-Public Day or Non-Public Residential application must be in FINALIZED status prior to the High Cost Fund application submission.
* *March 15*: The Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) application closes for this school year. For more information and to apply, visit the SSES website [ [link removed] ]. 
* *April 12: *Deadline for LEA’s who received a Significant Disproportionality 3 letter to complete the assurance statement in the Legal Framework [ [link removed] ].  Questions? Reach out your regional Legal Framework representative listed on the website.
* *June 12*: General registration deadline for the Texas Autism Conference [ [link removed] ]
* *June 20 - 22*: Texas Autism Conference [ [link removed] ] in Austin, Texas (virtual options available). Family day is June 22 and is FREE of charge. 
* *December 6*: SSES+ Medically Fragile Program ends.

 

 

Don't forget to check out TEA's Special Education Webinars and Newsletters website [ [link removed] ] for a list of upcoming events with their agendas. 

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character in wheelchair
*Did you know... *

*that March 1st is International Wheelchair Day? *

First launched in 2008, International Wheelchair Day is an annual day of events and activities which take place around the World when wheelchair users celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has on their lives. Find out more about the goals of this special day HERE [ [link removed] ]. 

 



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Office of Special Populations and Student Supports (OSPSS) - 

Staff Highlight

This month’s staff highlight is *Huck Spear*, Family Engagement and Outreach Coordinator. Huck has worked at TEA for the past 3 years as an education specialist and the coordinator of the Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program. Prior to that, he worked in schools for 18 years, primarily as a 4th grade bilingual teacher, but also as an interventionist and a curriculum writer. Originally from the countryside of central Illinois, Huck now enjoys the city life of Austin with his wife, 2 kids, and 2 dogs (Pumba and Juni). Huck especially identifies with TEA’s core value - People-Centered – and strives to build positive relationships among all stakeholders in order to affect positive outcomes for Texas students and families.   





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In This Issue


* Updated Dyslexia Handbook Draft: Public Comment Period Coming Soon [ #link_8 ]
* The Power of Training AND Coaching [ #link_5 ]
* 2024 - 2026 Innovative Services for Students With Autism Grant Now Open [ #link_9 ]
* Learning Ally Audiobook Solution [ #link_7 ]
* Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) Updates [ #link_1 ]
* Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Field User Guides [ #link_4 ]
* Literacy and Math for All Training Opportunities [ #link_6 ]
* Engagement Opportunities [ #link_2 ]
* NATIONAL NEWS [ #link_3 ]

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Texas SPED Support
Monthly Spotlight:

Now that Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ] has been live for 6 months, *we'd like to hear from you about the functionality of the site*. Please take a moment to* fill out this brief survey [ [link removed] ] about your experience navigating Texas SPED Support*. Results will be analyzed to determine what enhancements we can make to improve the user experience. 

Follow on Facebook, Instagram, & Threads: @TexasSPEDSupport
Follow on Twitter: @TXSPEDSupport

 

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image of elementary calendar station
SHOUT OUT to ESC Region 3! 

Region 3 recently offered a unique opportunity to teachers of young children that combined a TEA online course (prework), regional training, and coaching all in one! Teachers learned how to develop meaningful stations and routines for their classroom, practiced these skills in a model coaching classroom, and took home materials for further implementation.






capitol building
 

DEPARTMENT NEWS


Updated Dyslexia Handbook Draft: Public Comment Period Coming Soon

At the February 2, 2024 State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting, the* SBOE approved for first reading and filing authorization changes to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 74.28. Included as a figure in 19 TAC 74.28 is the SBOE’s Dyslexia Handbook.* While this rule and the accompanying figure are *expected to be filed in the Texas Register soon*, which will begin the official public comment period on the rule, the agency is *posting the draft of the handbook in advance to give individuals ample time to review it*.

 

*View Draft Now* [ [link removed] ]


The Power of Training AND Coaching

TEA has developed a robust ecosystem of synchronous, asynchronous, and blended training opportunities to meet a variety of administrator, educator, and support staff needs. *Many of our offerings include a coaching component* implemented by all 20 education service centers (ESCs). *Research tells us that ongoing coaching is essential for achieving practice change.* And without ongoing coaching and practice opportunities, professional development is highly unlikely to lead to increased knowledge and skills to implement a new practice with fidelity. *If you're interested in receiving training and coaching from our ESC partners, click on the button below to find your regional contacts for the topics you want to grow your skills in. *

 

To really see the value in coaching, see what Texas teachers are saying after their coaching experiences. 


*

"Julie Swendig was the most amazing instructor. I was shown the correct way to write a PLAAFP. I was so surprised how it should be don,e I left during lunch to show our superintendent the information that was being shared. I should have taken that training 20 years ago. "


* *"teacher from region 18, SB IEP training"*

*

"Working with Amy Reeves on post-secondary goals, I am now able to evaluate the goals written in my district to better know what training is needed. I have been in Special Education for 18 years and thought I knew how to properly write these goals. She shared some minor tweaks to improve the quality of the goals and that made a big difference. "


*

*"transition and employment designee from region 10, Writing Appropriate Measurable Postsecondary Goals training"*


*

"Cindi Bowling was AMAZING. Every time I engaged in one of her training sessions, I left feeling renewed and ready to implement what I had learned. She is extremely personable and knowledgeable and makes it easy to approach her to ask for guidance. Her mode of delivery is hands down the very best I have encountered. She makes the content exciting and interesting and is very skilled at reading the room and making adjustments as the day progresses. These sessions have never felt rushed or hastily done. There is intention behind every word or phrase spoken and she truly maximizes the time that we have. I feel like my tool box is bolstered every time we meet, and I walk away feeling excited about what I am doing with a renewed sense of purpose."


* *"teacher from region 20, MTSS training"*

*Find My Regional Contact* [ [link removed] ]


2024 - 2026 Innovative Services for Students With Autism Grant Now Open

The 2024 - 2026 Innovative Services for Students With Autism Grantis now open for applications! *This grant is available to all LEAs, with priority given to collaborations across LEAs.* The purpose of this grant opportunity is to *increase capacity across Texas schools to implement innovative programs that effectively serve students with autism ages 3-21*. The application window closes on March 27, 2024.

 

*Apply Now* [ [link removed] ]


Learning Ally Audiobook Solution

TEA provides funding for all public and open-enrollment charter schools to support their struggling readers with the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution. [ [link removed] ] Designed to align with your objectives, *The Audiobook Solution will help your school fulfill the mandates outlined in Texas Sec 28.006** and enhance your commitment to supporting students dealing with dyslexia and reading challenges.

 

Elevate literacy scores across your school effortlessly by:


* Identifying and enrolling all eligible students.
* Motivating students to engage in reading at least three times a week, dedicating 20 minutes each day.
* Establishing reading goals and diligently monitoring progress toward success.

Learning Ally's audiobook solution *helps striving readers, from grade school to high school access grade-level content with ease*. By removing the barriers to reading, students are able to read and learn. 

 

Already have a membership and interested in delving deeper? Connect with your State Advancement Specialist by emailing [email protected].

 

"*Texas Sec. 28.006.g-2 mandates that a school district, in accordance with a notification program developed by the commissioner, notify parents or guardians of students identified with dyslexia or reading difficulties. The program by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission allows these students to borrow audiobooks free of charge".

 

*Join For Free Today* [ [link removed] ]


Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) Updates

*The SSES application will be closing on March 15, 2024, and will re-open next school year on February 3, 2025. *This is a one-time-only grant; if you have previously applied for or received an SSES grant, you will not be able reapply. *The SSES program is a $1,500 online grant for parents/caregivers of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school.* Families of eligible students can *use the online accounts to shop the marketplace to obtain educational materials and resources,* such as textbooks, curriculum, or technology devices, and/or services, such as additional speech therapy, tutoring, or other specific services.

 

*The SSES+ Medically Fragile program will be ending on December 6, 2024.* However, since the application closes on March 15, 2024, this will be the last time families can apply and take advantage of the SSES+ Medically Fragile program. *Families that currently have SSES+ Medically Fragile accounts or apply before March 15, 2024, will have until December 6, 2024, to spend these funds.* Students who would have qualified for the SSES+ Medically Fragile program will still be eligible for the SSES program if they have not previously received an account. *The SSES+ Medically Fragile program is a $5,000 online grant for parents/caregivers of eligible students served by special education and determined as “Medically Fragile” by their ARD Committees and who are enrolled in a Texas public school.* For more information about eligibility, go to our SSES+ Medically Fragile website [ [link removed] ].

 

*Apply for the SSES Program* [ [link removed] ]


Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Field User Guides

*SDI is changes to the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction students receive when students are eligible for special education and related services under the IDEA.* SDI is tailored to address the impact a student's disability has on their learning and ensures the student can access the general education curriculum and make progress toward individualized education program (IEP) annual goals. 

 

*The SDI Field User Guides are intended to be a bridge between existing student support plans and the instructional content available within the high-quality instructional materials.* Each section of the document provides ways to connect high quality instructional materials to student plans and leverage the tools found in the high-quality instructional resource. This document provides multiple ways to approach and plan for the provision of SDI and presents multiple lenses through which readers can examine the connections between the tools and content in high quality instructional resources and the components of SDI. 

 

Each SDI Field User Guide *provides examples of how to support students in content areas, sample students, prerequisite teaching strategies, and more*. The guides also include *examples of collaboration between professionals* to support student growth and provide connections to the core content to provide the most robust instruction using each resource. 

 

*Go To Guides Now* [ [link removed] ]


Literacy and Math for All Training Opportunities

*Literacy For All* is a *free, two-day training*. Participants are eligible to *earn 12 continuing professional education (CPE) credits* upon completion. The course is offered as a hybrid session so participants around the state can *participate virtually or in person*. This training delves into the science of teaching reading and explores how cognitive processes impact learning foundational literacy skills. 

 

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


*Math For All* is a* free, one-and-a-half day training*. Participants are eligible to *earn 9 CPE credits* upon completion. The course is designed to help educators build capacity in understanding how specific disabilities impact students’ learning of mathematics and is offered as a hybrid session so participants around the state can *participate virtually or in person*. 

 

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


Engagement Opportunities

*We are always looking for ways to connect with our partners in the field!*

From site visits, to review opportunities, to focus groups, there are numerous ways to connect with TEA and support the field of education. *If you are interested in participating in an engagement opportunities, sign up by clicking the button below. *

 

*Sign Up Here* [ [link removed] ]


*Instructional Materials Review and Adoption (IMRA)*

*TEA is seeking educators and subject-matter experts across Texas to serve as instructional materials reviewers for the new **IMRA review process* [ [link removed] ]*.*

Selected reviewers will earn extra income while making a statewide impact. Reviewers will work in small teams to conduct quality reviews and collaborate with other educators to produce ratings and reports for assigned reading language arts, phonics, and mathematics products. For our *bi-weekly information sessions*, sign up HERE [ [link removed] ]. 

If you or your colleagues want to participate in the IMRA review process, please apply today! To learn more about the IMRA process, visit our website [ [link removed] ].

 

*Apply Today* [ [link removed] ]


State Assessment Educator Item Review Committees

Each year the *TEA invites groups of Texas educators to provide feedback on the development of state assessments* (STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, and TELPAS) through educator committees across all assessed grades and content areas. Developing high-quality, aligned questions relies on the expertise and experience of Texas educators. Participants collaborate with other educators from across the state to review and approve each potential question for state assessments. *TEA is currently accepting applications from all districts to participate in item review committees all subjects and grade levels*. 

 

If you know of any educators (including yourself!) who might be interested in participating in these review meetings, please encourage them to apply using the link below.* Meetings are typically held during the spring and summer*. If selected, an invite will be sent with all the logistical information. 

 

The commitment is generally* two to three days in Austin with all travel, accommodations, and substitute coverage paid for by TEA*. All participants will *earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits*. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

 

*Apply Now* [ [link removed] ]


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NATIONAL NEWS

American Institutes for Research (AIR) and its partners are conducting a U.S. Department of Education-funded study on a program called Promoting Adolescents’ Comprehension of Text (PACT).* PACT uses evidence-based social studies and literacy teaching strategies that over a decade of prior research has shown to improve students’ social studies content knowledge, literacy, and academic language. *These strategies are incorporated into three existing American history units commonly included in 6th-9th grade social studies curriculum (Colonial America, Road to Revolution, and Revolutionary War). 

 

*Schools and districts that participate in this opportunity will receive all PACT materials* (teachers’ guides, team-based learning activities, student books, and activity pages). Additionally, *educators will be provided with a workshop that builds their capacity in the use of PACT strategies, job-embedded coaching, and compensation* to support PACT implementation by social studies teachers.* For this study, all PACT materials, professional development, and coaching activities are provided at no cost to the district.* The flyer linked in the button below and study website [ [link removed] ] provide brief overviews of the opportunity.

 

To learn more about participating, please contact [email protected] or fill out the interest form [ [link removed] ] and a team member will be in touch.

 

*Learn More Here* [ [link removed] ]






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