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Texas Education Agency










*March 2025*




*Special Education Newsletter**
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students working on smart board





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Announcements


Texas SPED Support Recipient of Gold Star Award

We are thrilled to share that the *Texas SPED Support website has been recognized with a Gold Star Award at the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Annual Star Awards*! This honor celebrates *excellence in school communications and design*, with independent judges evaluating projects based on creativity, effectiveness, and impact.

*A Gold Star is awarded to projects that not only fulfill their purpose with skill and creativity but also stand out as truly exceptional.* This recognition underscores the Texas SPED Support website’s role in providing valuable resources and fostering meaningful connections for educators.

Check out the award-winning Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ] website if you haven’t already and *register for an account*. You can even *sign up for SPED updates based on the topics of interest* to your workstream and receive email notifications about new and upcoming resources.

 

Calling All Future Small and/or Rural Educational Diagnosticians and School Psychologists

The *Evaluation Certification Reimbursement Program (ECRP)* provides funding for current school staff members to further their education to become an Educational Diagnostician or a School Psychologist. Upon completion of the certification program, participants will have committed to providing a minimum of 3 years of evaluation service in a small and/or rural local educational agency (LEA) in Texas. The program is funded through a grant from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and facilitated by education service center (ESC) 15. *Application window opens April 1 - 14, 2025. For more information, review THIS FLYER [ [link removed] ]. *






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Upcoming Dates


* *March 26 from 9:30-11:30 AM CST: *186 Special Education EC-12 Preparation Manual Overview Webinar "(see Department News for more information)"
* *March 31:* The application window for the $1,500 PDSES grant closes at 5:00 PM CST. For more information, visit the PDSES website [ [link removed] ].
* *March 31*: EXTENDED DEADLINE! The deadline for uploading or linking operating procedures and policies to the Legal Framework and submission of the OSEP and Transition Assurance has been extended. Updated deadlines coming soon.
* *April 1-14*: Evaluation Certification Reimbursement Program application window "(see Announcements for more information)" 
* *April 9 from 9:00-11:00 AM CST: *186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Constructed Response Item Deep Dive Webinar and Work Session (Option 1) "(see Department News for more information)"
* *April 18*: Last day to register for the Navigating the MTSS Journey: Leadership Team Implementation 101 Trainer of Trainers (TOT) "(see Department News for more information)"
* *May 5 from 2:00-4:00 PM* *CST: *186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Constructed Response Item Deep Dive Webinar and Work Session (Option 2) "(see Department News for more information)"
* *June 12*: General registration deadline for the Texas Autism Conference [ [link removed] ].
* *June 17-18*: Navigating the MTSS Journey: Leadership Team Implementation 101 TOT" (see Department News for more information)"
* *June 19-21*: Texas Autism Conference [ [link removed] ] in Austin, Texas (virtual options available). Family day is June 21 and is FREE of charge. 
* *July 30-31*: Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation conference [ [link removed] ] "(see Department News for more information)"

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.

 

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image of students using play-doh
*Did you know... *

*Occupational Therapy Awareness Month is celebrated every April? *

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). OT is a science-driven, evidence-based healthcare profession that enables people of all ages to participate in activities of daily living or "occupations." These activities can include anything that makes life meaningful, such as working, playing, cooking, and recovering from injury. April is a time to honor the profession and raise awareness about the vital role OT plays in helping individuals live life to its fullest, regardless of their health condition, disability, or risk factors. Learn more about OT and how to promote the profession by visiting the American Occupational Therapy Association's website [ [link removed] ]. 





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In This Issue


* Navigating the MTSS Journey: Leadership Team Implementation 101 TOT [ #link_3 ]
* Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation Conference [ #link_5 ]
* Updates Related to Special Educator Standards and Certification Testing [ #link_8 ]
* Determining the Least Restrictive Environment in Preschool [ #link_4 ]
* Level Up This Spring with Learning Ally [ #link_6 ]
* Special Education Support Programs for Students with Intensive Needs in Texas [ #link_7 ]
* TEA Engagement Opportunities [ #link_9 ]
* State Assessment Educator Item Review Committees [ #link_11 ]
* Qualified Monitors and Conservators Needed [ #link_12 ]
* NATIONAL NEWS [ #link_1 ]

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Texas SPED Support
Monthly Spotlight:

Take a moment to check out the *Featured resources* on Texas SPED Support [ [link removed] ] this month. Each month TEA's Division of Special Education Technical Assistance *highlights resources and learning opportunities that may be helpful to educators for that time of year*. These resources *change the first week of every month*, so be sure to visit Texas SPED Support each month to see what is being promoted. 

 

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






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DEPARTMENT NEWS

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Navigating the MTSS Journey: Leadership Team Implementation 101 TOT

Join us for an upcoming Training of Trainers (TOT) this summer *designed to empower district and campus leadership teams in implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports* (MTSS). This TOT will *guide participants through the five stages of MTSS implementation*, equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary to reduce barriers and ensure successful implementation across multiple levels.

 

This TOT is scheduled for *June 17-18, 2025, in Austin, Texas*. For more information and to register, visit this Texas SPED Support webpage. *Registration **will close Friday, April 18, 2025*.

 

*Register Now* [ [link removed] ]


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Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation Conference

Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation Conference which is held on *July 30-31, 2025*, is *open for registration*.  Join education professionals from across the state for this exciting *FREE virtual conference* as we explore *child find, evaluation, admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) supports, transition, and early childhood special education (ECSE) topics*. The Aligned! 2025: From Child Find to IEP Implementation conference provides expertise, best practices, and networking supports to assist public school district and charter schools. *Participants can earn up to 12 continuing education units (CEUs)!*

 

*Audience*:

Educational Diagnosticians

School Psychologists

Speech-Language Pathologists

Transition specialists and teachers

ECSE specialists and teachers

Dyslexia specialists and teachers, including providers of dyslexia instruction

Special Education Teachers

Administrators

ARD committee managers/facilitators

 

*Register Now* [ [link removed] ]


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Updates Related to Special Educator Standards and Certification Testing

*New: 185 Deafblind EC-12 and 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 TExES Exam Preparation Manuals Now Available * 

The Preparation Manuals for the 185 Deafblind EC-12 [ [link removed] ] and 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 [ [link removed] ] exams are now available on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website. Preparation manuals include: 


* Aligned examination framework 
* Approaches to answering different question types 
* Sample selected-response questions 
* In-depth rationales for correct and incorrect responses 
* Sample constructed response question, sample responses, and rationales 
* List of preparation resources 

*New: 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Preparation Manual Overview and Constructed Response Item Spring 2025 Capacity Building Opportunities * 

As we approach the *September 2025* launch of the *186 Special Education Specialist EC-12* certificate and aligned certification exam, we are excited to launch a series of spring capacity building sessions reviewing available exam preparation materials as well as the *186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 exam Constructed Response Item* (CRI). Please review the information below for additional details. 

 

*What? *The 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 spring capacity building webinar series will consist of three virtual sessions throughout the Spring 2025 semester:


* *186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Preparation Manual Overview Webinar* 
* This webinar will guide programs through an overview of the 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 exam preparation manual, including suggested approaches for selected response items (SRIs), cluster items, and sample CRI responses. This session will be recorded and available for those who cannot attend. 

* *186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Constructed Response Item Deep Dive Webinar and Work Sessions * 
* The 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 CRI Deep Dive Webinar and Work Sessions will provide programs an overview of the constructed response item, including the CRI prompt and exhibits candidates can expect to engage with on the exam. Programs will also have an opportunity to work in collaborative groups to review sample CRI responses, share best practices for candidate success on the constructed response item, and discuss curriculum updates. These two identical sessions will be *highly interactive*! Attending and/or viewing the 186 Preparation Manual Overview webinar prior to work session attendance is strongly encouraged. 

*Who? *These webinars and work sessions are intended for special education faculty, staff, and/or other individuals responsible for supporting the preparation of special education candidates. Programs are highly encouraged to attend the sessions that best suit their availability.

 

*When and Where?*


* *186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Preparation Manual Overview Webinar* 
* Wednesday, March 26, 2025 
* 9:30-11:30 AM CST, via Zoom 
* Register Here [ [link removed] ] 

* *186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Constructed Response Item Deep Dive Webinar and Work Session (Option 1)* 
* Wednesday, April 9, 2025 
* 9:00-11:00 AM CST, via Zoom 
* Register Here [ [link removed] ] 

* *186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Constructed Response Item Deep Dive Webinar and Work Session (Option 2)* 
* Monday, May 5, 2025 
* 2:00-4:00 PM CST, via Zoom 
* Register Here [ [link removed] ]  

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Determining the Least Restrictive Environment in Preschool

The Determining the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in Preschool guidance document has been posted to Texas SPED Support. This document is intended to provide local educational agencies (LEAs) with *information on LRE, continuum of services and placement determinations to support educators and ARD committee members in understanding early childhood educational environments and making informed decisions for students ages 3 through 5 and not in kindergarten who receive ECSE services*.

 

*View Guidance Document* [ [link removed] ]


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Level Up This Spring with Learning Ally

Continue the reading momentum with Learning Ally's "*Spring into Reading*" collection of valuable resources to support spring book clubs and *National Poetry Month* while encouraging students to continue on their learning journey this spring.  *Let's work together* *to ensure every eligible student is actively reading and thriving* with Learning Ally in three simple steps!


* *Log in * [ [link removed]*pdh8vc*_gcl_au*ODYyOTk0Nzc4LjE3Mzk5OTYxOTE.*_ga*MTIyNjgzMzg1NC4xNzI0MzUxNTA1*_ga_EDZW1F928N*MTc0MTM1ODQ3MC4xODcuMS4xNzQxMzU5MDA1LjAuMC4w&data=05%7C02%7CKimberly.Brannan%40tea.texas.gov%7C4a20279e22a14b06536b08dd60f66c72%7C65d6b3c3723648189613248dbd713a6f%7C0%7C0%7C638773333702778379%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=TasLpJ1WOU%2BZfmDwtfd3jBG3VlSmajRS7P8ZXi1ytbM%3D&reserved=0 ]*and sort your dashboard by “Pages Read” *to see who could use a boost of engagement! 
* *Load up student bookshelves *with popular titles from our newest book lists!
* *Empower Students to Reach their Reading Goals *with poetry challenges, reading choice boards and graphic organizers from our *Spring into Reading program* [ [link removed] ] landing page!

"New to Learning Ally and need an account? Get started by enrolling for your free account  through the "*"Educator Access Form"* [ [link removed] ]"."

 

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Special Education Support Programs for Students with Intensive Needs in Texas

Program Map

This *map represents Special Education Support Programs for Students with Intensive Needs in Texas*. It *includes special education support programs (e.g., self-contained classrooms and multi-district classrooms) as options for students with intensive needs*. The map showcases information provided by Special Education Directors of LEAs and fiscal agents of shared service arrangements (SSAs) from across Texas who participated in the annual map survey.

 

*View Map* [ [link removed] ]


Program Survey

TEA's Special Education Small and Rural Schools project is gathering information on the use of specialized programs (such as self-contained classrooms or multi-district classrooms) as a program option for students with intensive needs. 

 

The TEA would like to *invite all current Special Education Directors to participate in filling out the annual survey*. By sharing information and confirming specifics about your programs in your LEA/SSA (that you are the fiscal agent of), *your data will be reflected on the Statewide Program Map*. The survey will be open each Winter/Spring will take approximately *3-5 minutes*. The survey is currently* open until April 30th, 2025.*

 

*View Survey* [ [link removed] ]


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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] ]


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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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Qualified Monitors and Conservators Needed

*TEA is looking to grow its pool of qualified monitors and conservators to help the state’s school districts and charter networks remedy issues related to governance, accreditation, academic performance, financial accountability, or other special investigations.* Monitors, conservators, and management teams provide leadership, guidance, and support to school systems working to overcome historical systemic challenges and operate effectively and sustainably to improve student outcomes. Monitors and conservators are *appointed*, as needed, by the Commissioner of Education. If you are interested and would like access to the job description [ [link removed] ], would like to recommend a colleague, or apply for a monitor and conservator appointment [ [link removed] ] by the commissioner, please visit www.tea.texas.gov/mc-appointments [ [link removed] ]_ _for more information!

 

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NATIONAL NEWS

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Communicating with Children who are Deafblind

The latest professional development module in the *“Teaching Children Who Are Deafblind” series* [ [link removed] ] is now available. *“Communicating with Children Who Are Deafblind”* [ [link removed] ] explores the many ways children who are deafblind communicate and provides essential information, strategies, and detailed examples. Like other modules in this series developed by the National Center on Deafblindness, it was specifically designed for professional development providers to use in training programs and courses.



 

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IRIS Modules Revised and Updated

IRIS has overhauled one of its modules and updated a few others:


* “*Secondary Transition: Helping Students with Disabilities Plan for Postsecondary Settings* [ [link removed] ]”: This revised module focuses on helping students with disabilities successfully transition from high school to postsecondary settings.
* “*Classroom Behavior Management (Part 2, Elementary): Developing a Behavior Management Plan* [ [link removed] ]” and “*Classroom Behavior Management (Part 2, Secondary): Developing a Behavior Management Plan* [ [link removed] ]”: These updated modules include revamped challenge videos, scenarios, and examples. 

 

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Resource for Microsoft Excel Accessibility

People everywhere use Microsoft Excel to store, manage, track, analyze, and visualize data. To ensure the quality and usefulness of this information, it must be accessible to all. 

 

The Rhonda Weiss Center [ [link removed] ] developed the Document Accessibility Guide: Microsoft Excel [ [link removed] ] with key strategies to create and format accessible Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The guide includes detailed descriptions, as well as examples from IDEA Part C and Part B Child Count Excel spreadsheets.

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Job Listings


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