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Texas Education Agency










*April 2024*




*Special Education Newsletter**
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Oak Woods Elementary Solar Eclipse





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Announcements


*Dyslexia Handbook Final Draft Approved*

On April 12, 2024, the *State Board of Education (SBOE) approved the second reading and final adoption changes to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 74.28 which includes The Dyslexia Handbook*. The final rule and accompanying figure will be filed with the Texas Register in accordance with the typical rulemaking calendar. The agency is posting the handbook that was adopted so that the community can begin to review it. Note that *this is NOT to be considered the official handbook until it is posted in the Texas Register*, which will be communicated to stakeholders. View the unofficial handbook HERE [ [link removed] ].

 

*Transition and Employment Designees (TEDs)*

Resources related to requirements for TEDs were published to Texas SPED Support. The TED Guidelines [ [link removed] ] were updated and the online course to meet training requirements [ [link removed] ] is now available for registration. *The TED for each local education agency (LEA) must complete the required training by August 31, 2024.* TEDs who completed the training during school year 2021-22 or 2022-23 are *not required to retake this course* and may submit an assurance of prior training completion [ [link removed] ].

 

*Statewide SPED Capacity Contracted Services Grant Opportunity *

The SPED Capacity Contracted Services Grant allows for *LEAs to apply for one-time funding in accordance with allowable expenditures associated with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for securing contracted special education staff.*

 

The application is open to all Texas LEAs that had expenses for securing contracted special education staff. *You can find additional information, including an overview, the application and timeline for applying, and informational video here [ [link removed] ]. *For grant application questions email *[email protected]**.*

 

*American Sign Language Versions Now Available*

SPEDTex now offers *American Sign Language (ASL) translations* (in video format) for two important special education documents:


* Parent's Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process [ [link removed] ]
* Notice of Procedural Safeguards [ [link removed] ]





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Upcoming Dates


* *March 1 - May 1*: The high cost funds (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.
* *June 3:* Last amendment due date for both the 2023-2024 Special Education Consolidated Grant Application (Federal) and the 2023-2024 Special Education Consolidated Grant Application (State).
* *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. 
* *July 29-30*: ALIGNED! 2024: From Child Find to IEP Implementation [ [link removed] ] (virtual conference). FREE of charge. Up to 12 CPE credit hours will be available for all attendees who participate in the live, synchronous sessions. Recorded, asynchronous sessions will be available for 30 calendar days following the conference. CPE credit hours are not available for recorded, asynchronous sessions. 
* *August 31: *Due date for the TED required training [ [link removed] ]
* *December 6*: SSES+ Medically Fragile Program ends. 

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*Did you know... *

*April is Autism Acceptance Month? *

This is a month devoted to raising *awareness* to promote autism acceptance, *celebrating* neurodiversity and individual differences, and continuing to advance *inclusivity* and connectedness throughout the community. It’s also a time to renew our commitment to honor the unique lived experiences of people with autism. Find out about events and news promoting this special month HERE [ [link removed] ]. 

 



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Nathan Pullen

This month’s staff highlight is *Nathan Pullen, State Autism Coordinator*. Nathan has worked at TEA for the past 3 years as an education specialist. Prior to that, he worked in public schools as a teacher and district specialist, as well as in clinical settings as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Nathan was born and raised in Texas, growing up in the Rio Grande Valley near the Texas-Mexico border. Nathan lives just outside of Austin, Texas with his wife, daughter, dogs, cats, ducks, and pigeons.  

Nathan especially identifies with TEA’s core value – Servant Leaders – and continuously strives to improve outcomes for students, as well as support their families and educators who serve them.  





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In This Issue


* UPDATED! Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED) and Reevaluation: Question and Answer Document [ #link_4 ]
* Building a TED Community [ #link_5 ]
* Guidelines for Multihazard Emergency Operations for Individuals with Disabilities or Impairments [ #link_8 ]
* Foundational Reading Lesson Set [ #link_3 ]
* Literacy and Math for All Training Opportunties [ #link_2 ]
* Learning Ally Audiobook Solution [ #link_7 ]
* Engagement Opportunities [ #link_6 ]
* State Assessment Educator Item Review Committees [ #link_9 ]
* NATIONAL NEWS [ #link_1 ]
Texas SPED Support
Monthly Spotlight:

Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ] is getting some new enhancements based on survey feedback. Watch this short video [ [link removed] ] to learn how to navigate the website and sign up for an account. You can also sign up for SPED updates [ [link removed] ] now and receive timely information about newly posted resources and events for the topic(s) you are most interested in. 

 

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






DEPARTMENT NEWS

UPDATED! Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED) and Reevaluation: Question and Answer Document

As part of the reevaluation, the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee and other qualified personnel, as appropriate, must complete a REED to help determine what additional data, if any, are needed to determine whether the student continues to require special education and related services and whether changes are needed to the services being provided. This *updated question-and-answer document is intended to provide guidance and best practices to LEAs regarding the REED and reevaluation processes.*__

*Go to Q&A Now* [ [link removed] ]


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Building a TED Community

The *TED Community of Practice (CoP) [ [link removed] ] allows educators in the TED role to explore and implement best practices for transition planning*. The TED CoP has met three times during this school year and will meet again in May. The *CoP is available for educators serving in this important role to access quarterly meetings with leaders in the field, explore online resources, and connect with other TEDs across the state*.

 

What can you expect when joining the TED CoP? The past three months included the following opportunities:


* *Structured exploration of the TED role* with discussion by CoP members about opportunities, barriers, and effective practices
* *Direct connection with statewide representatives* from Texas Workforce Solutions – Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS), Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Health and Human Services (HHS), and TEA coordinators for foster care, McKinney-Vento, and secondary transition
* *In-depth review of specific resources for transition*, with a focus on their application to the TED role and discussion about how these resources are being used to support students, families, or staff

There are approximately 900 TEDs in Texas. If you are serving in this role and would like to join over 100 TEDs who are already CoP members, *submit your application today*!

 

*Apply Today* [ [link removed] ]


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Guidelines for Multihazard Emergency Operations for Individuals with Disabilities or Impairments

A To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) correspondence [ [link removed] ] posted on April 18, 2024, regarding Texas Education Code, Section §37.1086 [ [link removed] ] which requires the agency to establish *guidelines for the provisions of an LEA’s multihazard emergency operations plan to better ensure the safety and security of students and staff with disabilities or impairments*. Working collaboratively with educators, education service centers, and advocacy groups, TEA’s Office of Special Populations and Student Supports, Office of School Safety and Security, and the Texas School Safety Center developed Guidelines for Multihazard Emergency Operations which *LEAs must follow when adopting/ implementing their emergency operations plan*.

 

*View Guidelines Now* [ [link removed] ]


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Foundational Reading Lesson Set

The Foundational Reading Lesson Set provides Texas teachers with a set of instructional materials that can be used to create phonics lessons across the entire year. It *includes routines for all components of phonics lessons as well as an entire year’s worth of materials*. The materials are *designed for students in first grade who are learning to read and students in first, second, and third grade who need additional instructional support*. The language and words can be used with students across many levels. The clue cards are designed for primary grades and need to be replaced for some older students who are sensitive to the perception of doing activities designed for younger children. 

 

This lesson set includes: 


* the top 500 sight words
* approximately 4,000 decodable words
* more than 200 image cards for phonological awareness
* more than 80 sound-spellings ordered by frequency
* more than 40 sound-spelling cards for the most common phonograms

*Review Resource Now* [ [link removed] ]


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Literacy and Math for All Training Opportunties

*Literacy For All [ [link removed] ]* is a *free, two-day training worth 12 continuing professional education (CPE) credits*. The course is offered as a *hybrid session* so participants around the state can participate virtually or in person. This session was *developed in collaboration with the Reading Academies and serves as supplemental training to deepen participant's understanding of the importance of teaching students who struggle to read on grade level in grades 4-12* foundational reading skills. Participants will learn more about the science of teaching reading, including an overview of what skills need to be mastered to become a proficient reader, how the brain learns to read, the characteristics of dyslexia and dysgraphia, how a student’s learning abilities associated with reading can impact their ability to learn how to read, and what instruction and accommodations can remove barriers to learning.   

 

*Math For All* [ [link removed] ]is a *free, one-and-a-half day training worth 9 CPE credits*. It is designed to help educators build capacity in *understanding how specific disabilities impact students’ learning of mathematics*. The course is offered as a *hybrid session* so participants around the state can participate virtually or in person. The session focuses on *whole number addition and subtraction for students in Kindergarten-Grade 3*. 

 

*Literacy for All Flier* [ [link removed] ]


* Math for All Flier * [ [link removed] ]


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Learning Ally Audiobook Solution

As the warmth of summer approaches, it's crucial to keep our students engaged and empowered through continuous learning. *Research consistently highlights the importance of summer reading for academic growth, especially for students with special needs.* Consistent reading over the summer months helps prevent the "summer slide" and ensures that students return to school in the fall ready to tackle new challenges.

 

Learning Ally is a groundbreaking *audiobook solution designed to support students with learning differences*. By providing *access to a vast library of audiobooks*, Learning Ally enables students to access grade-level content and develop essential literacy skills, regardless of reading level or disability.

 

Getting started with Learning Ally is simple:


* *Sign Up*: Visit our Enrollment Page [ [link removed] ] to get an account at no cost!
* *Training:* Take advantage of Learning Ally's Educator Coaching Sessions to learn how to use the product with your students. Register on the Texas Landing Page [ [link removed] ].
* *Promote*: Encourage your students and their families to explore Learning Ally's extensive library and incorporate audiobooks into their summer reading routines.

 

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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] ]


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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

OSEP Fast Facts: Children Identified With Autism

This Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Fast Facts [ [link removed] ] sheet takes an updated look at OSEP data on children whose primary disability is autism. 

 

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Assistive Technology Guidance Myths/Facts Graphics Now Available

The Center for Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) shared *new myths/facts graphics* [ [link removed] ] directly aligned with its *assistive technology guidance* [ [link removed] ]. The graphics are available in two different layouts for each of the myths/facts to support sharing via presentations, social media, and websites. Don’t miss the opportunity to help squash misconceptions regarding assistive technology. Download the myths and facts graphics today.

 

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Considering Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

The *Center for Parent Information and Resources*’ [ [link removed] ] new page on assistive technology provides a wealth of parent-friendly information, in *English* [ [link removed] ]and *Spanish* [ [link removed] ], to empower families and youth when considering assistive technology in education and daily living. The page includes links to checklists and a *printable publication* [ [link removed] ] that guides the user through how to consider assistive technology in the IEP process.

 

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Building CTE Opportunities that Engage Students with Disabilities

*Enroll to access the recording* [ [link removed] ] of the *NTACT:C webinar* [ [link removed] ], “*Building CTE Opportunities that Engage Students with Disabilities* [ [link removed] ],” and learn how school districts, special education, and career and technical education personnel partnered with state and local vocational rehabilitation staff to provide pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities in career and technical education outside of the normal school day.






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