TOPIC/RESOURCES



TOPICRESOURCESSIGNIFICANT POINTSNOTESAnnouncements/InformationWelcome and IntroductionsNew DirectorsNew Region 4 StaffCatherine LandryReportsTCASECynthia Short, Ph.D., TCASE House of Delegates Representative, Clear Creek ISDGCASEMichaelene Morrison , GCASE President, Dayton ISDSpecial Education CACLaurie Goforth Rodriguez, Texas Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee stakeholder, Dickinson ISDSpecial Education Directors’ 2015-2016 MeetingsHandout:Special Education Directors’ 2015-2016 Meetings*Please register for the 2015-16 Special Education Directors’ Meetings:November 19, 2015 - Session # 1139203February 4, 2016 - Session # 1139207May 5, 2016 - Session # 1139209Resources Provided to DistrictsResources Provided to DistrictsThroughout the 2015-16 school year, resources have been provided to districts to support the provision of services to students with disabilities.To date, more than $148,751.95 in resources have been distributed toRegion 4 districts!Special Education Director’s PortalSpecial Education Director Portal: 4 Special Education Directors' Portal User GuideRegion 4 provides a Special Education Director’s Portal.Handouts and resources from the Special Education Directors’ meetings will be available on the Special Education Director’s Portal. “Forms Authentication”Username = your district email addressDefault password = R4SpEd!This Just In – Hot TopicsHandouts:2015-2016 SPED & RF PBMAS Staging / Determinations*The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children*School Related Health Services (SHARS) Update*We will review topics “hot off the press” that impact services for students with disabilities.Accountability/ComplianceParent SurveyHandout: 2015 Parent Survey for Students Receiving Special Education Services for FFY 2014 APR*Parent Coordination Network web link: Region 9 ESC coordinates the statewide Texas Survey of Parents of Students Receiving Special Education Services as part of the State Performance Plan Indicator 8 Parent Participation. Indicator 8 asks each state to report the percent of parents with a child receiving special education services that report school facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities. Results are in from the 2015 Parent Survey.Out of 24 areas assessed, Region 4’s results were equal to the state in 15 areas, better than the state in 6 areas and lower than the state in only 3 areas (by 1 – 2%).Individual Local Education Agencies who participated in the survey individual results were sent to the district contact.For additional information, please contact Karen Pepkin at kpepkin@ or 713.744.4470Assistive Technology PEIMS dataHandout:Fall, 2015 PEIMS Memo from TATN*PEIMS Data Collective*Website: School districts in Texas are required to collect and report information to the Public Information Management System (PEIMS). If a student with a disability receives assistive technology devices or services that are included in the IEP, the PEIMS assistive technology indicator should be coded affirmatively.?Please see PEIMS Memo October, 2015 for detailed information on why and how to code AT in PEIMS.For additional information, please contact Kirk Behnke at kbehnke@ or 713.744.6559.Senate Bill 1867SB 1867 requires the agency to remove certain students receiving special education services from longitudinal rates calculated for state accountability. These exclusions apply to students who (1) are at least 18 years of age as of September 1; (2) have satisfied credit requirements for high school graduation; (3) have not completed their individualized education program (IEP); and (4) are enrolled and receiving IEP services. Change from current law: Currently, students who continue to enroll in high school after a class’s expected graduation date are included in longitudinal rates calculated for state accountability; this continuing students group includes students with IEPs that specify continued high school enrollment. TEC §39.053(g-2) excludes the special education students specified from longitudinal rate calculations. This act applies beginning with the 2015-16 school year. Child Find/Student Evaluation OSERS Policy Guidance Letter on DyslexiaHandoutPolicy Guidance Letter*Link for Letter: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) has received communications from stakeholders, including parents, advocacy groups, and national disability organizations, who believe that state and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) are reluctant to reference or use dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in evaluations, eligibility determinations, or in developing the individualized education program (IEP) under the IDEA.This policy guidance letter?clarifies that there is nothing in the IDEA that would prohibit the use of the terms dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia in IDEA evaluation, eligibility determinations, or IEP documents.Special Education Instruction and Services Region 4 RDSPD Itinerant Teacher for Students with Deafblindness2015-2016 Region 4 RDSPD Fee ScheduleIn the spring of 2015, the Region 4 RDSPD, in collaboration with its satellite program, Houston ISD, created the position of an itinerant teacher for students with deafblindness. The position is the first of its kind in the state. Due to the low-incidence nature of this handicapping condition, the Region 4 RDSPD is proud to offer services from its itinerant teacher for students with deafblindness. Districts can access these services as non-members of the Region 4 RDSPD. Such services are billed on a monthly basis according to the 2015-2016 Region 4 RDSPD fee schedule.If a child within your district is in need of such support, please contact Marina McCormick at either marina.mccormick@ or 713-744-6329.Autism Satellite Sites Training UpdateRegion 4 just completed the first round of Autism Satellite Sites trainings. The purpose of these trainings was to provide autism training and information to districts that have difficulty attending professional development sessions at Region 4 due to distance from the service center. The first training addressed the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and Structured TEACCH. The next round of trainings will occur in February and March 2016 and will address social skills.If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Williams, Ph.D. at cathy.williams@ or 713-744-6801.Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training (CPI)CPI is implementing new training requirements. Initial training will be 12 hours (2 days) trainings under the new regulations. Region 4 will be offering a CPI TOT. Please consider identifying trainers to attend from your district to provide the training within your district as a more cost effective option. For additional information, please contact Shelley Garza at shelley.garza@ or 713.744.4433HB 2684: Required training for school-based law enforcement officers in schools (SROs/MOUs)Texas School Safety Center Website: the 84th Legislative Session, House Bill 2684 was passed which requires law enforcement officers working in school districts of 30,000 or more students to complete an education program by June 1, 2016. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), in consultation with the Texas School Safety Center have developed the training curriculum required under House Bill 2684. This education program is being developed under a train-the-trainer model in order to teach attendees how to train other school-based law enforcement officers in the areas required by Texas House Bill 2684. These areas include child and adolescent development & psychology; positive behavioral interventions & supports, conflict resolution techniques, & restorative justice techniques; de-escalation techniques & techniques for limiting the use of force, including limiting the use of physical, mechanical, & chemical restraints; the mental & behavioral health needs of children with disabilities or special needs; & mental health crisis intervention. Districts required to have officers trained: Aldine, Alief, Clear Creek, Conroe, Cy-Fair, Ft. Bend, Houston, Humble, Lamar CISD, Katy, Klein, Pasadena, Spring, & Spring Branch. The TOT for the Region 4 area will occur Jan. 18-20 at Klein ISD Multipurpose Center. R4 will be available for co-training with officers as content experts. Call Shelley Garza at 713-744-4433 or shelley.garza@ with questions. Babies’ Day OutThe first Region 4 area Babies’ Day Out, a program for parents and their infant with a visual impairment was held September 15, 2015 at the University of Houston Health and Biomedical Auditorium.Parents had an opportunity to learn from the presenters Dr. Carolyn Carman, Director, The Center for Sight Enhancement, Dr. Holly Cooper and Ann Rash from the Texas School for the Blind and the Visually Impaired, Outreach Department, while their babies enjoyed the multi-sensory activities.This event was a collaborative effort through Region 4, Division of Adult and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Project GROW Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) and school district volunteers from Galveston, La Porte, Spring, Pearland, Houston, and Fort Bend Independent School Districts. Three sponsoring agencies, RiverKids, Angels of Care, and DARS were also present to lend their support to the families. The families each received multiple resources and activities to take with them including the donated materials and door prizes.There are plans to make this an annual event.Facilitating the IEP ProcessTips and Strategies for Solving Problems and Building RelationshipsBook:Bens, I. (2013). Conflict at a Glance!Tips and strategies for solving problems and building relationships using techniques that emphasize listening and working with others to find positive outcomes. Setting the stage for dialogueSetting boundaries and taking a standPreventing conflict by creating norms/ground rules Collaborating to solve a problemRedirecting bad behaviorsDealing with resistanceMediating a disputeGiving and receiving feedbackDealing with angry customersCrafting an apologyMaking peace with yourself and othersARD Facilitators who attended the Region 4 Networking series and New Directors were provided Facilitation resources and toolkits for implementation. For additional information, contact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.744.6399 or lhall@ Afternoon SessionAssessments for Special PopulationsDr. Justin PorterDirector, Assessments for Special PopulationsStudent Assessment DivisionTexas Education AgencyFor Your InformationUnified English Braille (UEB)Handout Texas Unified English Braille Transition Plan*On January 4, 2016, the general use of the Unified English Braille (UEB) will be implemented in the United States. The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) held its Third UEB Transition Forum in October. The BANA Board met in November to further discuss the implementation of the UEB. For more information, please refer to BANA’s Press Release: has approved 7 updates to the Nemeth Code: information about UEB, including resources, can be located at . Refer to the Texas Unified English Braille (UEB) Transition Plan for a list of activities to be implemented from Fall 2014 to Summer 2017. The State Leadership Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been providing webinars in the UEB. Archived sessions are available at . Student Data Program(Annual Registration of Students with Visual Impairment and Deafblind Child Count)Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Registration for Students with Visual Impairments weblink: The student data program formerly known as the VI registration and Deafblind Child Count information will be delivered by e-mail with a target date of the week after Thanksgiving.The e-mail sender will be Registration for students who are Visually ImpairedThe application target date for opening registration is January 4,2016Four training videos are posted on the TSBVI website outlining the processFor more information contact: Sue Enoch, Programs Program Coordinator, 512-206-9270Professional Development OpportunitiesUsing Assessment to Inform Literacy Goals and Instruction for Learners who are Deaf or Hard of HearingSession ID: 1159619Dr. Beverly Trezek, Associate Professor of Special Education and Co-Director of the Reading Specialist Program at DePaul University in Chicago, and Dr. Connie Mayer, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at York University in Toronto, will be presenting this one-day professional development focusing specifically on how assessment can drive literacy outcomes for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This opportunity is perfect for teachers of the deaf, administrators of programs for the deaf and hard of hearing, general education teachers who support students who are deaf or hard of hearing, reading specialists, and assessment specialists. Date: January 28, 2016Time: 9:00AM-4:00PMFee: $45Contact: Marina McCormick, marina.mccormick@, 713-744-6329Inclusion TrainingsParaprofessionalsSupporting Classroom Management and BehaviorInstructional Coaching for Co-TeachingParaprofessionalsEffective Support in the Inclusive ClassroomParaprofessionalsEffective Support in the Inclusive ClassroomCo-teaching Series: Basic and Advanced Co-Teaching PracticesParaprofessionalsSupporting Classroom Management and BehaviorCo-teaching Series: Basic and Advanced Co-Teaching PracticesThe Teacher and Paraprofessional Team: Enhancing Communication and InstructionCo-Teaching: Taking Your Practices to the Next Level (Dr. Wendy Murawski)??????????????Co-Teaching for AdministratorsSpecial Education Scheduling (? days am/pm each day)Session ID: 1188320Session ID: 1158913Session ID: 1158911SSession ID: 1200983Session ID: 1201277Session ID: 1200991Session ID:1201278Session ID: 1201005Session ID: 1177227Session ID:1201302Session ID: 1201282 (AM)Session ID: 1201290 (PM)Learn to assist teachers in establishing effective instruction and maintaining classroom?routines and procedures. Explore proactive strategies to support the management of the classroom, the students, and the learning environment.?Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grantsDate: 11/3/15Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: Crown Plaza 290 and PinemontFee: $ 45Contact Information: Tony Goedicke at tony.goedicke@ or 713.744.6579Learn and take home tools that will assist you to enhance/support of creating highly effective co-teach teams. Learn about effective scheduling, common planning, stages of co-teaching and much more that will assist to bring your co-teachers to an effective collaborative stage of co-teaching that positively impacts student performance. Date: 11/12/15Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: MCC 103Fee: $45Contact Information: Tony Goedicke at tony.goedicke@ or 713.744.6579Learn about the changing role of the paraprofessional and how to work as a team with general and special education teachers. The session will address problem solving, communication, collaboration, and learning skills. The session will also address working with teachers, students, and parents; collaborative learning approaches; and student behavior management techniques. Teams of teachers and paraprofessionals who work together are encouraged to attend. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants. Date: 12/8/15Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: MCC 103Fee: $45Learn about the changing role of the paraprofessional and how to work as a team with general and special education teachers. The session will address problem solving, communication, collaboration, and learning skills. The session will also address working with teachers, students, and parents; collaborative learning approaches; and student behavior management techniques. Teams of teachers and paraprofessionals who work together are encouraged to attend. Date: 1/19/16Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: MCC 202Fee: $45Developing highly effective co-teach teams. Come as a co-teach team to increase instructional intensity more than a one teacher classroom. Day one (High Quality Instruction and Co-Teaching) explores implementing high quality instructional frameworks with the six (6) co-teaching approaching, common planning and the stages of co-teacher development. Day two (Advanced Co-Teaching) explores the variations of the co-teaching approaches.? We will dive deeper into analyzing co-teachers beliefs and philosophies of education as well as to evaluate your partnerships in order to development a highly effective team. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Date: 1/21/16 and 2/3/16Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: MCC 101 and MCC 206Fee: $90Learn to assist teachers in establishing effective instruction and maintaining classroom?routines and procedures. Explore proactive strategies to support the management of the classroom, the students, and the learning environment.?Date: 2/9/16Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: MCC 104Fee: $45Developing highly effective co-teach teams. Come as a co-teach team to increase instructional intensity more than a one teacher classroom. Day one (High Quality Instruction and Co-Teaching) explores implementing high quality instructional frameworks with the six (6) co-teaching approaching, common planning and the stages of co-teacher development. Day two (Advanced Co-Teaching) explores the variations of the co-teaching approaches.? We will dive deeper into analyzing co-teachers beliefs and philosophies of education as well as to evaluate your partnerships in order to development a highly effective team. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Date: 2/16/16 and 3/8/16Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: MCC 101 and MCC 103Fee: $45Explore practical strategies for improving communication, problem solving, and team performance. Topics to be addressed include leadership, team personalities, the team building process, time management strategies, and effective communication. Date: 2/17/16Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: MCC 104Fee: $45Join Dr. Wendy Murawski, a nationally recognized expert on co-teaching and learn to expand your effective co-teach practices to produce greater instructional intensity in your co-teach classrooms than if only one teacher were present. Discover ways to incorporate and utilize common planning for co-teachers that will enhance units, lessons, instruction, and overall classroom management to increase your student's performance. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grantsDate: 2/28/16Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: Crown Plaza - BrookhollowFee: $45Assist your teachers in obtaining increased instructional intensity in the co-teach classroom by gaining knowledge of highly effective co-teach components. Perform observations and discuss with colleagues the positives and challenges within a co-teaching classroom. Leave with common planning tools for teachers as well as a classroom walk-through tool to enhance co-teach practices.Date: 3/2/16Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.mLocation: MCC 206Fee: $45Learn a data collection process to analyze your student data. In addition, templates will be shared with participants that will provide a hand scheduling process in order to accurately and efficiently schedule a campus special education population as well as evaluate the needs of campus staffing needs. Participants will be provided a one elementary or secondary master scheduling board. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Date: 3/1/16Date: 3/1/16Time: 8:30a.m. – 11:30a.morTime: 12:30p.m. – 3:30p.m.Location: MCC 206MCC 206Fee: $35Fee: $35Special Education WebinarVisual Impairment Evaluations, Part 1Session ID: 1176096Participate in this webinar session to explore topics related to special education issues and considerations. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.This overview focuses upon general characteristics of students with visual impairments and the way that this impacts social development and concept development. Participants will learn about appropriate selection of instruments for evaluation and interpretation of results. Evaluation in the area of cognitive, adaptive behavior, educational, and emotional/behavioral will be discussed. Best practice guidelines in the field of evaluation of students with visual impairment will be reviewed.Date: January 12, 2016Time: 10:00AM-12:00PMFee: $20Contact: Kara Zwolinski, kara.zwolinski@, 713-744-6562Ethics for Licensed Specialist in School PsychologySession ID: 1172257Examine ethical situations that commonly occur for individuals providing psychological services in the school setting.?This session will review relevant rules of practice, ethical standards, and legal implications.?Date: February 26, 2016Time: 8:30AM-11:30PMFee: $30Contact: Kara Zwolinski, kara.zwolinski@, 713-744-6562Issues in Cultural Diversity for the LSSPSession ID: 1172264Attend this session to consider and discuss current issues in cultural diversity as it relates to the field of school psychology.? This session will satisfy the annual requirement for 3 hours of?cultural diversity training that is required by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.? Date: February 26, 2016Time: 12:30PM-3:30PMFee: $30Contact: Kara Zwolinski, kara.zwolinski@, 713-744-6562Special Education WebinarVisual Impairment Evaluations, Part 2Session ID: 1176099Participate in this webinar session to explore topics related to special education issues and considerations. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Emphasis in this session will be on identifying other eligibilities. Participants will develop skills in determining other conditions that may be impacting educational progress. Specific topics addressed will include presence of specific learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, and autism spectrum disorders. In addition, instructional strategies for these groups will also be discussed. Date: March 1, 2016Time: 10:00AM-12:00PMFee: $20Contact: Kara Zwolinski, kara.zwolinski@, 713-744-6562Teaming up in PreschoolSession ID: 1151678 Learn how to be part of an effective preschool team. Paras and Teachers will leave with practical strategies to improve team communication, effective collaboration and positive classroom management. Participants will receive a variety of materials to support team work in the PPCD and PK classrooms. Session and material costs are partially funded through state and federal grants.Dates: 11/24/15, 2/4/16, 3/1/16Times: 8:30-3:30pmFee: $45Contact: Kristina Parr kristina.parr@ Maximum Impact: A Collaborative Approach to PreschoolSpeech Therapy in the PPCD ClassroomSession ID:1185729Learn how teachers and Speech Language Pathologist can bring language activities into the preschool classroom by keeping up with the evolving needs of our young learners. Leave behind the notion of push-in or pull-out therapy and embrace the idea of inclusion by providing reinforcing group activities for diverse learners as a collaborative team. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state and federal grants. Dates: 1/19/16Times: 8:30-3:30pmFee: $45Contact: Kristina Parr kristina.parr@ Leaping into LanguageSession ID:1151818Discover how to create a language rich, preschool environment by embedding critical language skills throughout your daily classroom activities. Participants will explore fun ways to infuse language skills into every aspect of the preschool day. We will discuss how to incorporate vocabulary, basic concepts, functional language and pragmatic language into the curriculum. Come sing, dance, listen and learn as we leap into language. Participants will receive a variety of materials to support and nurture language growth in the PPCD and PK classrooms. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state and federal grants.Dates: 2/10/16Times: 8:30-3:30pmFee: $45Contact: Kristina Parr kristina.parr@ CHAMPS: A Proactive and Positive Approach to Classroom Management in the Preschool ClassroomSession ID:1151654Acquire information to assist in developing or strengthening classroom management plans in the preschool classroom. Learn to identify and maintain the effective parts of current plans while concurrently identifying and strengthening areas of need. Acquire knowledge, ideas, and suggestions that can have a positive benefit on behavior and motivation for students. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Dates: 2/16/16Times: 8:30-3:30pmFee: $45Contact: Kristina Parr kristina.parr@ Linking Instructional and Behavioral Strategies to Functional Information for the Preschool StudentSession ID:1179344Discuss how to gain a better understanding about why preschool students engage in particular behaviors and how to create and implement instructional and behavioral strategies to align with that understanding. Participants will receive a variety of materials to support and nurture behavior in the PPCD and PK classrooms. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state and federal grants.Dates: 2/17/16Times: 8:30-3:30pmFee: $45Contact: Kristina Parr kristina.parr@ Pivotal Response Training in the Early Childhood Classroom: Addressing Motivation, Learning, and Social InteractionDo you have students who are difficult to engage in your early childhood classroom activities? Join this session to learn more about strategies that support the motivation, learning, and social interaction of early childhood students with autism. Pivotal Response Training (PRT) is grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis and developmental psychology and is applied in a naturalistic manner so that the strategies are more readily implemented in early childhood classrooms. PRT increases academic and social skill acquisition while at the same time decreasing challenging behaviors so that students can participate more meaningfully in classroom and inclusive activities. In this session, The Koegel Autism Center will present information on the principles of PRT, as well as relate the information specifically to the early childhood classroom through the use of student examples. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state and/or federal grants.Session ID: 1151457 Dates: November 3, 2015Time: 9:00 – 4:00Fee: $45 Contact information: Cathy Williams, cathy.williams@, 713.744.6801Structured Teaching: It’s More Than Just Work Systems, A 3-Day SeriesJoin this 3-day series to gain in-depth information on creating a structured classroom to support the learning and behavior of students with autism and other disabilities. During this professional development series, participants will learn 1) the principles and research base for structured teaching; 2) how to apply structured teaching principles to support students of varying ages and ability levels; 3) how to implement structured teaching in a variety of settings including special education classrooms, general education classrooms, and the community; 4) how to teach students to use structured teaching components; and 5) how to “re-structure” systems when students are not responding positively. Participants will also create materials, use these materials to practice implementing structured teaching in their classrooms through “homework” assignments, and receive feedback.Session ID: 1164910 Dates: January 26, February 9, & March 8, 2016Time: 9:00 – 4:00Fee: $135 Contact information: Cathy Williams, cathy.williams@, 713.744.6801Coping with Autism and Anxiety: Strategies to Support Students in the ClassroomJoin this professional development session to learn more about the impact of mild to severe anxiety on students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). During this session, participants will gain information about 1) indicators of anxiety, 2) assessment tools, 3) interventions that decrease anxiety and enhance self-management, and 4) tips for addressing anxiety in the classroom. Videotaped examples will be used to demonstrate the strategies.Session ID: 1156334 Dates: February 4, 2016Time: 9:00 – 4:00Fee: $45 Contact information: Cathy Williams, cathy.williams@, 713.744.6801Transition Planning to Meet the Unique Needs of Students with AutismAttend this session to learn how the unique needs of students with high-functioning and low-functioning autism impact the transition planning process. In this session, participants will 1) gain understanding of both federal and state legislation relating to transition and autism, 2) explore the strengths and needs of students with high-functioning and low-functioning autism, and 3) apply knowledge by practicing transition planning for students with autism through the use of case studies.Session ID: 1143589 Dates: February 10, 2016Time: 9:00 – 4:00Fee: $45 Contact information: Karen Pepkin, KPepkin@, 713.744.4470; Cathy Williams, cathy.williams@, 713.744.6801Leaving a Clear TrailParticipate in an event to explore the relationship between state and district requirements for graduation, special education options, PEIMS coding, and the documentation needed to accurately reflect a student’s high school education. Examine course descriptions for special education and learn to code special education courses on the Academic Achievement Record (AAR). Participants will receive a handbook with relevant documents and excerpts from IDEA 2004, The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Texas Education Code (TEC). Session and material costs are partially funded through state and federal programSession ID: 1198946Dates: December 9, 2015Time 9 to 4Fee: $45Contact Information: Karen Pepkin, kpepkin@, 713.744.4470: LaShonda Evans, lashonda.evans@, 713.744.638018+ Network - BeginnerLearn how to create an 18+ program in your district or charter school.??Learn how to improve?your newly developed?18+ program.? This session is designed to meet the needs of participants who are new to 18+ adult services and/or have worked in an 18+ Program for less than 3 years. Participants will learn strategies for 18+ services, how to start and improve an existing 18+ program, administrative barriers to program improvement, scheduling, how to deal with support and transportation issues, how to partner with the community, and multiple other topics specific to adult services for students 18-21.? Session material costs are partially funded through state or federal programs.Session ID: 1145811Dates: January 21, 2016Time 9 to 12Fee: $30Session ID: 1145325Dates: April 7, 2016Time 9 to 12Fee: $3018+ Network - Advanced18+ Network - AdvancedLearn how to improve your existing 18+ program. This session is designed to provide information and training for participants who have worked in an 18+ program and/or have?been the program administrator for 3 or more years. Training will be provided at an advanced level to address the information needs, administrative issues, and strategic planning for program improvement meant for experienced staff in adult services in districts. Basic, beginner-level information will not be provided.?Session and material costs are partially funded through state and federal grants.Session ID: 1151459Dates: January 21, 2016Time 1 to 4Fee: $30Session ID: 1151462Dates: April 7, 2016Time 1 to 4Fee: $30Transitioning from High School to College: Trainer of TrainersLearn about students with disabilities transitioning from high school to college in this trainer of trainers presentation developed by the Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network.? Topics covered include: why should I go to college, how is college different from high school, how do I decide if college is right for me (which college is the right college and what should I do to prepare), how do I pay for college, and who can help me succeed in college. Participants will receive training materials and scripts during this Training of Trainers (TOT). Session materials and costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Session ID: 1142816Dates: January 27, 2016Time 9 to 12Fee: $30Postsecondary Goals, Annual Goals, and Assessments for TransitionReview the basics of transition. Learn about transition assessments and developing postsecondary and annual transition goals with a focus on goals for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Session and material costs are partially funded through state and federal grantsSession ID: 1142823Dates: January 27, 2016Time 1 to 4Fee: $30Transition to Community Integrated Employment for ALL YouthImagine beginning?with the vision that all youth will graduate with a paid job in the community? How would that vision change our Transition Planning for youth with disabilities, especially youth with a significant impact of disability? Customized Employment, a strategy included in the most recent reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, is an approach to employment that enables us to create and custom-tailor employment that matches each young adult's contributions and ideal conditions for success.? Customized Employment eliminates the need to compete for employment and removes many prerequisites that have traditionally kept people from the work force.?This session will introduce individualized and creative strategies that promote access to paid community employment for all students with disabilities, even those in rural remote locations, and those students with a significant impact of disability.?This session will illustrate how these approaches can blend with transition planning and preparation for all youth.? Session and material costs partially funded?through state or?federal grantsSession ID: 1150717Dates: April 14, 2016Time 9 to 4Fee: $45Texas Transition : Attaining GoalsReview the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, the Texas Administrative Code and the Texas Education Code concerning postsecondary life for students receiving special education services in Texas. Participants will learn about the ARD process, current graduation option criteria for meeting the regular high school diploma requirements, postsecondary goals and related issues. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grantsSession ID: 1143743Dates: April 26, 2016Time 9 to 4Fee: $45Nemeth Code for Elementary and Middle School MathematicsSession ID: 1171286Increase your knowledge and skills of Nemeth Code to assist students with visual impairments in their learning of mathematics in elementary and middle school. This presentation will include an overview of low, mid, and high technology tools available to facilitate student learning. Participants will have hands-on practice with Nemeth Code and specialized math software created for students with visual impairments. Please bring an abacus and a Perkins Braille writer to this training. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Date: December 5, 2015Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PMFee: $30Contact: Sheryl Sokoloski Sheryl.sokoloski@ 713-744-6315Techniques for Developing and Using Tactile GraphicsSession ID: 1171349Increase competency in adapting graphics to tactile formats for students with visual impairments. Acquire the skills necessary to determine how graphics can be adapted effectively. Learn methods to instruct students to successfully read tactile graphics. Prerequisite: Working knowledge of the Braille code. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Date: December 8, 2015Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PMFee: $45Contact: Sheryl Sokoloski Sheryl.sokoloski@ 713-744-6315Learning to Move/Moving to Learn: Developmentally Appropriate Orientation and MobilitySession ID: 1165176Discover ways to increase learning through developmentally-appropriate orientation and mobility (O&M). The first 36 months of life are important foundation years for O&M sensory, conceptual, and movement development of the young child with a visual impairment. Gain knowledge of a developmental framework that encompasses early play skills and become an important member to the early intervention team. Additionally, learn about early O&M and play development, assessment practices, and intervention strategies. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grantsDate: January 5, 2016Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PMFee: $45Contact: Sheryl Sokoloski Sheryl.sokoloski@ 713-744-6315Literacy for All: All for LiteracySession ID: 1165174Discover ways to provide meaningful literacy materials for young children who are blind/visually impaired. Literacy begins at birth and is a lifelong process for all children. Gain knowledge on how to provide literacy practices that can be implemented in both the home and school routines. Explore national resources specific to early childhood literacy practices. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Date: January 6, 2016Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PMFee: $45Contact: Sheryl Sokoloski Sheryl.sokoloski@ 713-744-6315Evaluating Technology Needs of Students with Visual ImpairmentsSession ID: 1171292Do you need help evaluating technology needs of students with visual impairments? Learn to analyze students' needs for assistive technology using the SETT (Student, Environment, Tasks, & Tools) framework. Explore a variety of low, mid, and high technology tools specifically created for students with visual impairments. Practice using evaluation data to write effective recommendations to meet students' educational needs. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Dates: January 16th and 30th , 2016Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PMFee: $60Contact: Sheryl Sokoloski Sheryl.sokoloski@ 713-744-6315Introduction to DeafblindnessSession ID: 1161452Gain knowledge about deafblindness, including eligibility and the impact of this dual sensory loss on learning and communication. Access resources to support continuous learning about deafblindness. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Date: February 16, 2016Time: 12:30 PM-3:30 PMFee: $30Contact: Cecilia Robinson Cecilia.robinson@ 713-744-6379 or Sheryl Sokoloski Sheryl.sokoloski@ 713-744-6315 Understanding and Nurturing the Communicative Competence in Young Learners with Significant DisabilitiesSession ID: 1176058Come and learn about communication assessment and instruction for young learners with multiple disabilities who are non-verbal. Explore instruction, practical exercises, and case studies to demonstrate the strategies being described.? Gain insight on how to encourage children with significant disabilities including children with vision and hearing loss, to demonstrate and further develop their ability and desire to communicate. Specifically this workshop will include understanding how to use the Communication Matrix (Rowland 2004) assessment, research based instructional strategies for the child at the pre-symbolic level of communication, and instructional strategies for the child who may be ready for communication through Tangible Symbol Systems such as pictures, photos and/or 3 dimensional symbols but is not yet able to use abstract symbols.Dates: February 2nd and 3rd , 2016Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PMFee: $90Contact: Cecilia Robinson Cecilia.robinson@ 713-744-6379 or Sheryl Sokoloski Sheryl.sokoloski@ 713-744-6315 ................
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