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*August 2022*




*Special Education Newsletter*




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?Announcements


Legal Framework Website Maintenance

The Legal Framework website will undergo*?maintenance and upgrades from September 1-21, 2022*.?During this time the platform will be available to search citations and look up information, but local education agencies (LEAs) will *not be able to upload any documents or see their assurances*?until the update is complete. Due to this, *extensions* for completing assurances, or uploading LEA Special Education Policies and Procedures *will not be available past the August 31st deadline*.

Technical Assistance: Behavior Supports and Guidance for Students with Disabilities Now Available

Working with students who display challenging behavior can be a complex issue for families and schools. The intent of this guide is to provide educators, administrative staff, and support staff with *information, guidance, and helpful resources that simplify and clarify what to do prior to, during, and after a behavior event*. The guide also contains a *categorized resource list *to easily access more specific information about a particular topic, as well as an *appendix of useful templates* from the Texas Behavior Support Initiative (TBSI) course. You can find this guide on the TEA Special Education Guidance [ [link removed] ]?webpage or access it directly here [ [link removed] ].?

New Opportunity for Future Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)

The *SLP Tuition Reimbursement Program will provide funding for students accepted into the SLP Master's Degree Distance Venue* beginning with the Cycle 12 cohort (June 2023). *Funding reimbursement is available for up to 15 students - 10 traditional SLP students and 5 students working toward the bilingual certificate.* TEA's Small and Rural Schools Network will administer the reimbursement award program. Upon completion of SLP Master?s Degree Distance Venue, participants in the reimbursement program must *commit to a minimum of 3 years of service in a small and/or rural LEA in Texas*. "See the Upcoming Dates section for important dates if interested in this amazing opportunity!?"




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?Upcoming Dates

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* *August 15 - October 15, 2022* - Application window for Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Master's Degree Distance Venue, Cycle 12
* *August 31, 2022:*
* At least one staff member in each LEA who is well placed to disseminate information has attended the agency-developed training "Texas Dyslexia Academy 2 (TDA 2): The Dyslexia Handbook 2021 "by August 31, 2022"."
* LEA Special Education Policies and Operating Procedures must be uploaded to the Legal Framework by August 31, 2022. Please?see The Special Education Operating Procedures [ [link removed] ] slide deck? and Special Education Operating Procedures FAQ [ [link removed] ] and from March 2022.
* Transition and Employment Designee (TED) required training due by August 31, 2022. Visit TEA's Student-Centered Transitions Network [ [link removed] ] (SCTN) to review the training FAQ.?

* *September 1, 2022 -?*Nonpublic/Off-Campus Day and Residential Application Opening:?Additional information, including the most up-to-date APEX information and status updates, can be found on TEA's?nonpublic website? [ [link removed] ]or by emailing [email protected].?
* *September 7, 2022*?- Cycle 12 Information Meeting: The SLP Tuition Reimbursement Program will provide funding for students accepted into the SLP Master's Degree Distance Venue beginning with the Cycle 12 cohort (June 2023).?
* *September 15-October 15, 2022 *-?Application window for NEW SLP Master?s Degree Tuition Reimbursement Program for applicants committed to working in small and rural schools.

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Did you know that *September 20-27, 2022, is International Week of the Deaf*? The theme for 2022 is "Building Inclusive Communities for All." Check out the World Federation of the Deaf website [ [link removed] ] for more information.?






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?In This
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* SSES+ Medically Fragile Program [ #link_1 ]
* Child Find Poster [ #link_4 ]
* IEPs and Braille Provision [ #link_3 ]
* Prior Written Notice Resource and Quick Guide [ #link_5 ]
* Stay on Track With Monthly Instructional Guides [ #link_2 ]
* Identifying the Right Tool: A Reference List of Technology for Struggling Readers [ #link_6 ]
* UDL Implementation and Companion Guide [ #link_7 ]
* Specially Designed Instruction (SDI): A Resource for Teachers Rebrand [ #link_8 ]





Department News

SSES+ Medically Fragile Program

The SSES+ Medically Fragile Program, under the original SSES (Supplemental Special Education Services) Program, has officially launched. *Families with students identified as medically fragile are now eligible to receive additional funding through SSES+. *?If families have already applied or received the original SSES grant, they will be notified by the TEA and they will receive information about how to access these additional funds. Families should apply for SSES+ Medically Fragile using the same application as the original SSES Program. *To Apply for both the SSES+ Medically Fragile and SSES Programs, go here to apply: sses.tea.texas.gov [ [link removed] ].*

Additional Information Here [ [link removed] ]

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Child Find Poster

TEA?s Child Find, Evaluation, and ARD Supports Network has created a poster that *LEAs may print and post on their campuses and around their district*. This Child Find poster is *available in English and Spanish *and is a fillable PDF so that LEAs may include the contact information of the special education department.

Go to Poster [ [link removed] ]

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IEPs and Braille Provision

Some IEP vendor software platforms do not provide adequate options related to braille instruction for students with visual impairments. *To meet state and federal requirements, if your software does not provide appropriate options related to literacy medium, the provision of braille instruction must be noted in the student's individualized education program (IEP) within the admission, review and dismissal?(ARD) committee deliberations.*?

Examples of Literacy Medium Options [ [link removed] ]

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Prior Written Notice Resource and Quick Guide

The Prior Written Notice resource and quick guide is now available on TEA?s Child Find, Evaluation, and ARD Supports network. *Learn about legal requirements, how to count five school days, and best practices when completing this form*.

Check Out Resources [ [link removed] ]

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Stay on Track With Monthly Instructional Guides

TEA's Texas Complex Access Network (TX CAN) has created Monthly Instructional Guides to support educators working with students with significant cognitive disabilities. *From August to May, you will find helpful tips, reminders, and strategies to improve instructional practices*.?#txcan

Go To September Guide Now [ [link removed] ]

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Identifying the Right Tool: A Reference List of Technology for Struggling Readers

This resource addresses the process of *determining appropriate low-technology (low-tech) and high-technology (high-tech) tools that can assist students in developing and expanding reading skills*. This resource is not meant to be a comprehensive assistive technology (AT) resource guide. It is a resource tool *for professionals, students, and parents* working with technology to help mitigate long-standing equity and accessibility gaps.

Access AT Guide Now [ [link removed] ]

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UDL Implementation and Companion Guide

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) *Implementation Guide includes a rubric, tools, resources, discussion prompts, and tips for educators* to use to implement UDL. The UDL *Companion Guide provides examples that illustrate how to think through the use of the UDL Classroom Implementation Rubric*. A variety of content areas and grade levels are provided. Educators are encouraged to use these tools to reflect on their own thought processes as they design accessible learning environments for all students.

Go to UDL Implementation Guide [ [link removed] ]

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Go to UDL Companion Guide [ [link removed] ]

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Specially Designed Instruction (SDI): A Resource for Teachers Rebrand

This guide *includes resources that help teachers understand, develop, implement, and evaluate the SDI* students with disabilities need to access and make progress in inclusive settings. In addition, it clarifies concepts related to, but distinct from, specially designed instruction, including *accommodations, modifications, and high yield instructional strategies*.

Review Guide Now [ [link removed] ]

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SPEDTEX [ [link removed] ]

SPEDTex provides?resources and interactive features for increasing family awareness of disabilities and special education processes, with the goal of improving partnerships between schools and families.




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?Job Listings



Special Education Strategic Integration Specialist (Education Specialist IV) [ [link removed] ]





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