View as a webpage [ [link removed] ]






Texas Education Agency










*July 2024*




*Special Education Newsletter**
*






boy in library





orange megaphone
Announcements


Dyslexia Rule and Handbook Effective June 30

The June 27, 2024, To the Administrator Addressed [ [link removed] ] communication announced that the State Board of Education's (SBOE's) *rule amendments to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.28 were effective June 30, 2024*. The Dyslexia Handbook is incorporated by reference into that rule, which means the recent updates made to the Handbook are also effective on June 30. The *primary intent of the amendments to the rule and Handbook is to align with the requirements of House Bill (HB) 3928* from the 88th regular session. Local education agencies *(LEAs) are required to comply with the rule and Handbook*, so it is critical for staff to be aware of all requirements moving forward. 

 

To review the Handbook and other related resources, visit TEA's Dyslexia and Related Disorders website [ [link removed] ]. Additionally, check out the Guidance for the Comprehensive Evaluation of Specific Learning Disabilities on Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ]. 

 

2025-2031 Cyclical Monitoring Schedule

The new 2025-2031 Cyclical Monitoring Schedule [ [link removed] ] is *now posted* on TEA's Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS) website. LEAs participating in cyclical monitoring will receive correspondence from the TEA at the start of their monitoring year and throughout the monitoring process.

 

2023-2024 State Performance Plan Indicator (SPPI) 7 and SPPI 13 Data Collection

TEA is committed to ensuring that all Texas public school systems provide eligible students with high-quality special education services. The SPP data submission is crucial for TEA to accurately report statewide performance on these federal SPP indicators. The TEA will *close data submissions for the 2023-2024 school year SPP application in the Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) system on August 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., for both SPPI 7 (Preschool Outcomes) and SPPI 13 (Secondary Transition). LEAs must ensure their data submission for both SPPI 7 and SPPI 13 are in a “Certified” status to meet the data submission deadline. *

 

This information can be found in the To the Administrator Addressed Correspondence dated July 18, 2024 [ [link removed] ]. 






calendar
Upcoming Dates


* *Open now through the end of September: *SPPI 14 survey launched for students who were enrolled in grades 9-12 during the 2022-23 school year.
* *July 19-August 19: *Public comment window for §89.1035 Age Ranges for Student Eligibility, §89.1053 Procedures for Use of Restraint and Time Out, and §89.1070 Graduation Requirements (posted on TEA's Proposed Commissioner of Education Rules webpage [ [link removed] ]). A public hearing [ [link removed] ] regarding these rules will be held July 30-31. 
* *August 9: *SPP application closing date and certification deadline.
* *August 15: *Deadline to submit HCF payment request to TEA. 
* *August 31: *Due date for the TED required training [ [link removed] ].
* *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, previous webinar recordings, and past editions of the Special Education Newsletter. 

________________________________________________________________________



group character image

*Did you know that July 26th was the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?* The ADA became law in 1990 and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and many public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Learn more about this history of ADA by going to the 34th anniversary website [ [link removed] ]. 



________________________________________________________________________



image of Samora Davis

This month’s staff highlight is *Samora Davis*, who serves as the Integrated Special Programs Support Manager in the Division of Systemwide Integration. Her current initiatives involve working closely with teams across the agency on Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) projects and developing tools and resources to help districts assess the health of their special education system to plan for continuous improvement. Samora’s career in public education spans over 22 years. Within Texas public schools, Samora has held various positions including Spanish teacher, Bilingual Educational Diagnostician, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Director of Intervention and Languages Other Than English. In addition, Samora made history as the first African American principal in Tomball ISD in 2019. She lives in the Houston area with her husband, son, daughter, and dog. When not working, she loves dancing, crafting, and baking with her children. Samora identifies with TEA’s core value –We are Determined- We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students. She believes we must identify the needs of our students and educators and continue to adjust our approach and support.  





Report icon
In This Issue


* New High Cost Funds Payment Reimbursement Process Implemented for 2023-2024 Awards. [ #link_10 ]
* NEW! Administrator Toolkit: SPED and Intervention 101 [ #link_9 ]
* Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant: Testimonials From the Field [ #link_5 ]
* Learning Ally Audiobook Solution [ #link_6 ]
* FREE State Subscription: Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) [ #link_2 ]
* Literacy for All Training Opportunity [ #link_7 ]
* Working with Paraprofessionals [ #link_8 ]
* TEA Engagement Opportunities [ #link_3 ]
* State Assessment Educator Item Review Committees [ #link_4 ]
* NATIONAL NEWS [ #link_1 ]
Texas SPED Support
Monthly Spotlight:

With the start of the new school year fast approaching, consider *sharing this Texas SPED Support welcome video [ [link removed] ] with campus staff during beginning-of-year in-service* and encourage them to *register for an account* and *sign up for SPED updates [ [link removed] ]*. This website is useful to educators throughout the year. It offers various *professional developmen*t to grow skills, *tools and templates* to download and use during instruction, and *stand-alone guidance* to answer questions in real time. 

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






DEPARTMENT NEWS

 

New High Cost Funds Payment Reimbursement Process Implemented for 2023-2024 Awards.

The *2023-2024 High Cost Fund (HCF) awards were posted in the HCF APEX application on July 1, 2024* for LEAs, which includes independent school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, that applied for HCF and were approved.

 

To receive the award payment, you must *submit a HCF Payment Request Form to TEA. The link to the form was sent to eligible LEAs on July 22, 2024*. The *deadline* to submit the payment request form to TEA is *August 15, 2024*.

 

*Approved payments will be direct deposited on or before August 31, 2024.* For special education shared services arrangements *(SSAs), the payment will be direct deposited into the Fiscal Agent’s bank accoun*t on behalf of the applicable SSA members.

 

*Visit HCF Webpage* [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________



NEW! Administrator Toolkit: SPED and Intervention 101

The "Administrator Toolkit: SPED and Intervention 101" collection is tailored specifically for educational leaders and equips them with *comprehensive resources and professional development essential for navigating the complexities of special education and inclusive educational environments for students with disabilities*.

 

The resources in this collection assist administrators with:


* navigating complex legal requirements and the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) process,
* implementing evidence-based instructional strategies,
* establishing robust student support systems, and
* fostering meaningful partnerships between schools and families.

These resources provide the knowledge needed to support teachers and students who have or are suspected of having a disability. Administrators will not only understand their *legal obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)* but will be able to *effectively implement policies, practices, and school-wide systems that promote equity and foster the academic and social success of every student*.

 

*Go to Toolkit* [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________



Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grant: Testimonials From the Field

teacher working with student

The 2022-2024 and 2024-2026 Innovative Services for Students with Autism Grants [ [link removed] ] were *awarded to 66 LEAs* across Texas and has *directly impacted 170 LEAs* due to many grantees collaborating across multiple LEAs. The purpose of this grant is to *increase LEAs' capacity to implement innovative programs that effectively serve students with autism ages 3-21*. This project will result in effective, scalable models that can be replicated in other areas of the state. *Read about the impact this grant has had on a Texas charter school. *

 

""Thanks to the "[Innovative Services for Students With]" Autism Grant, our autism-focused charter school positively impacts the lives of children with autism. This grant supports our long-term goal of equipping students with the skills necessary for a successful entry into neighborhood schools when ready. "

 

"Opening in 2022, half of our 100+ students lacked prior schooling, coming from clinics and homeschool settings, with the rest struggling in previous school settings. Our waitlist of 250+ reflects the need in our community that this grant helps us address. ""The Autism Grant enhances our school with the addition of skilled staff versed in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The grant strengthens the integration of ABA into behavior and academics by supporting our school with the Comprehensive Application of Behavior Analysis to Schooling (CABAS) model. "

 

"The continuous training of our staff boosts fidelity and instructional capacity. Thrive's K-6 Magnolia campus will expand grade levels yearly up to grade 12. Thrive has plans to replicate statewide, with a Houston campus already approved. Each year that we've been supported by the grant, we've grown and refined our model for sustainability.""

 

Check back in August for additional testimonials from other LEAs who've been positively impacted by this grant opportunity! 



________________________________________________________________________



Learning Ally Audiobook Solution

TEA partners with *Learning Ally* to provide students with unlimited access to human-read audiobooks at no cost to your school or district, giving them the tools they need to succeed. Enroll today [ [link removed] ] for an educator account by completing the Educator Access Form.

 

*To get students started*


* Utilize the Student Asynchronous Modules [ [link removed] ]. These engaging, self-paced modules will teach students how to use Learning Ally effectively. The password for access is "audiobooks." 
* Enhance your educator skills by registering for FREE Rapid Coaching Sessions [ [link removed] ] held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30-4:00 p.m., between September 3, 2024, and November 21, 2024. 

For more information, visit the Learning Ally Texas Landing Page and connect with your State Program Manager for campus training and additional support.

 

*Go to Landing Page* [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________



FREE State Subscription: Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)

TEA has partnered with ATIA to offer* UNLIMITED access to ATIA online courses for all educators, support staff, and parents* serving students across Texas. 

 

These online education programs include *live and recorded versions by national experts on a variety of topics across the spectrum of the assistive technology* industry sectors. *Online courses are 60 and 90 minutes* in length. Complimentary *CEUs* are available for completion of these programs. In addition to the stand-alone sessions, *Texas specific bundles* have been created to guide users through learning pathways to meet professional or tool specific needs. 

 

Visit the TEA ATIA subscription page and *use access code PD24INCLUSIONTX* to start your learning today! 

 

*Start Learning Now* [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________



Literacy for All Training Opportunity

Literacy For All 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 training delves into the *science of teaching reading & explores how cognitive processes impact learning foundational literacy skills*.

 

*Learn More Now* [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________



Working with Paraprofessionals

Looking for resources to support effective paraprofessional support [ [link removed] ]? Check out the Working with Paraprofessionals state guidance document [ [link removed] ] and Field User Guide [ [link removed] ]. These supports feature information on *paraprofessional's roles and responsibilities, the importance of clear communication, documentation practices, and virtual or a face-to-face classroom supports*. 

 

________________________________________________________________________



TEA 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 engagement opportunities, sign up by clicking the button below.*

 

*Sign Up Here* [ [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] ]


________________________________________________________________________



NATIONAL NEWS

Promoting Equitable Reclassification of Multilingual Learners with Disabilities 

The National Center on Deafblindness has added some great new videos to the module *"Early Intervention for Children Who Are Deafblind"* [ [link removed] ] in the *"Teaching Children Who Are Deafblind: Professional Development for Educators"* [ [link removed] ] series. The videos feature mothers of children who are deafblind who share their experiences during the critical years of early intervention and the teamwork that’s involved. You’ll find the videos under “Parent Perspectives” in the module’s navigation menu. The videos enhance the content of the module’s lessons by providing additional insights into the experiences of family members.

________________________________________________________________________







SPEDTEX

Join the SPEDTex mailing list [ [link removed] ] or
visit the site to locate resources [ [link removed] ]
you need.




briefcase

 

Job Listings


Special Education Complaints Investigator (Education Specialist IV) [ [link removed] ]

 

Highly Mobile At-Risk Specialist (Education Specialist V) [ [link removed] ]

 

Check out the Employment at TEA webpage [ [link removed] ] to search for opportunities to join our team. 






Back to top [ #gd_top ]











 

The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

 

Twitter [ [link removed] ]   Facebook [ [link removed] ]   Threads [ [link removed] ]   Instagram [ [link removed] ]   Youtube [ [link removed] ]   LinkedIn [ [link removed] ]

 







________________________________________________________________________

Every child, prepared for success in college, a career or the military.
Find out more at tea.texas.gov [ [link removed] ].

**STAY CONNECTED:*

Facebook [ [link removed] ] Twitter [ [link removed] ] Linkedin [ [link removed] ]  YouTube [ [link removed] ] GovDelivery [ [link removed] ]
*Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:   Preferences [ [link removed] ]*   |   Help [ [link removed] ]  |   Contact Us [ [link removed] ]

*"*Please visit the Preferences link to update all of your TEA subscriptions."*



 



 

body .abe-section-table {max-width:601px !important;} body .abe-column-block {min-height: 5px;} ________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Texas Education Agency · 1701 N. Congress Avenue · Austin, Texas, 78701 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]