TOPIC/RESOURCES



TOPICRESOURCESSIGNIFICANT POINTSNOTESAnnouncements/InformationWelcome and IntroductionsWe are happy to have you here!New Region 4 Staff:Marina McCormick, Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD) CoordinatorKristina Parr, Education Specialist, PreschoolKara Zwolinski, Education Specialist, Student EvaluationNew District/Charter Directors:Region 4Natalie Hudson, Amigos Por Vida-Friends for Life Public Charter, Arrow AcademyDenise Cummins, Aristoi Classical AcademyBridgett Powers, Beatrice Mayes Institute CharterPamela Ellis Moore, Clear Creek ISDKarin Olsen, CyFair ISDTammy Kennedy Takeda, Galena Park ISDAndy Sellers, Galena Park ISDNatalie Edwards-Hudson, Houston Area Special Education CoopJaime Messinger, Willman, Kipp Inc CharterLauren Ivins-McFarland, Klein ISD Linda Lane, Lamar CISD (Interim)Sonya Sonia, LaMarque ISDMarcus Whitfield, Northwest Preparatory CharterCathy Reinhold, Premier Learning AcademyMaria Salinas, Raul Yzguirre School for BusinessGranville O’Brien, Pro-Vision AcademyKathy Oliver, Santa Fe ISDCharmaine Garcia, Stafford MSDKaren Mintsioulis, Texas City ISDMarcia Cunningham, University of Houston Charter SchoolsOutside Region 4:Teresa Cannon, Conroe ISD (Region 6)Allison Hollis, Huntsville (Region 6)Debbie Walker, Willis ISD (Region 6)Celebrations:Deena Hill, Pasadena ISD, -- TCASE President-Elect Laurie Goforth Rodriguez, Dickinson ISD--marriedReportsTCASEMary Rosenberg, Ph.D., TCASE House of Delegates Representative, Klein ISDDeena Hill, Ed.D., TCASE President-Elect, Pasadena ISDGCASECynthia Peltier, GCASE President, Clear Creek ISDSpecial Education CACLaurie Goforth Rodriguez, Texas Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee stakeholder, Dickinson ISDAutism Theatre Initiative, Radio City Christmas SpectacularThrough the Autism Theatre Initiative, the Hobby Center is pleased to announce a special December 6th, 2014 performance of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in an autism spectrum-friendly environment.? The purpose of this project is to make the presentation not only autism-friendly but also financially feasible and accessible to families who might otherwise not be able to afford attending a Broadway performance. With only slight modifications to the regular performance, the event will include educational materials for parents and children, quiet and activity areas throughout the lobbies, and assistance from a large number of volunteers specifically trained in autism spectrum disorders.For additional information, please contactLorraine Klim-DrewLKlimdre@713-556-7025Jill JewettJewett Consulting3333 W. Alabama, Suite 110Houston, Texas 77098713-874-5875Special Education Directors’ 2014-2015 MeetingsRegister online for Special Education Director’s Meeting at: *Please register for the 2014-15 Special Education Director Meetings:November 6, 2014 Session # 1032529February 5, 2015 Session # 1032545May 7, 2015 Session # 1032541Location: Region 4 ESCTime: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.ResourcesResources are provided to districts to support the provision of services to students with disabilities.Region 4 Special Education Quick Reference Guide Set: (2 Sets Valued at $25 Each, Total of $50)Special EducationCo-Teaching and In-class SupportsSpecial Education DisciplineStudents Who Are Deaf/Hard of HearingSection 504. Region 4 resources for Behavior /Discipline ManagementDiscipline Flow Chart for Students with Disabilities (Valued at $25)Pocket Guide to Behavior Strategies (Valued at $20)Tune Up Behavior & Discipline: Tools for the Teacher's Desk (Valued at $50)Region 4 Access to the General Curriculum/IEP Supports Functional Education Evaluation: Look at all we can do! (Valued at $85)Inclusive Strategies for Diverse Learners, Second Edition (Valued at $20)LRP What Do I Do When...? The Answer Book on Special Education Law -- Sixth Edition (Valued at $62.75)Wiley Essentials of Executive Functions Assessment (Valued at $50)Texas Education Agency (TEA) The Dyslexia Handbook (Revised July 2014, Printing Cost Valued at $7.50)Texas Education Agency (TEA) 2014 Performance Based Monitoring Analysis System Manual (Revised July 2014, Printing Cost $5.50)The following test kits will be provided on a one-per district/cooperative/charter basis for Local Education Agencies (LEA) who have evaluation personnel employed by the LEA (not contracted staff). Woodcock-Johnson IV (WJ-IV) Tests of Achievement Form A (Valued at $724)Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement (KTEA)-3 Form A Kit (Valued at $410)Delis Rating of Executive Function (D-REF) Starter Kit (Valued at $49)Co-Teaching and Inclusive SupportsThe following DVDs will be provided on a one-per district/cooperative/charter basis.More Power! Instruction in Co-Taught Classrooms (Valued at $ 189)Instructional Power! Co-Teachers Share Instruction Techniques (Valued at $ 79)Releasing the Power! District and School-Based Leaders on Inclusive Schooling and Co-Teaching (Valued at $139)Standards-Based IEP Process: Training of Trainers OpportunitySurvey Link: 4 is pleased to offer a Standards-Based IEP Process: Training of Trainers opportunity. Each district, cooperative, or charter may send up to one participant to one of two Training of Trainer sessions on Standards-Based IEPs.Participants will receive: 1 Standards-Based IEP Process: Presenter Training Manual (Valued at $495)Standards-Based IEP Process: Participant Manual (Pack of 10) (Valued at $250)3 days of Standards Based IEP Training of Trainers Professional Development (Valued at $350).Participants are not to register until they receive the Promo Code. Completing the survey to nominate the participant does not register the participant for the session. Districts, cooperatives, or charters may register additional participants online through the Region 4 Professional Development website at For additional information, contact Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. at 713.744.6361 or komelan@ Amy Doolan at 713.744.6337 or adoolan@. Special Education Directors may nominate up to one participant from each district, cooperative, or charter by completing the survey. The participant will be provided a Promo Code and will need to register online through the Region 4 Professional Development website to attend one of the following dates:Session 1058150 on October 29, 30, and 31, 2014. Complete survey by no later than October 1, 2014Session 1058261 on April 14, 15, or 16, 2015. Complete survey by no later than March 1, munity Resource Coordination Groups of TexasDistrict/Charter contact updates on each table*Community Resource Coordination Groups (known as CRCGs) are local interagency groups, comprised of public and private providers who come together to develop individual services plans for children, youth, and sometimes adults whose needs can be met only through interagency coordination and cooperation.There are approximately 160 Community Resource Coordination Groups (CRCGs) available to the 254 Texas counties. These CRCGs are organized on a county-by-county basis and some CRCGs cover several counties to form one collective CRCG. Each CRCG has elected one of their members as a Chairperson to serve in a leadership or facilitator role at each CRCG meeting. These CRCG leadership positions are voluntary and no monetary compensation is given. The Chairperson serves as a point of contact for his/her local CRCG.Region 4 Districts and Charter Schools are asked to designate or update their CRCG contact person.This Just In – Hot TopicsWe will review topics “hot off the press” that impact services for students with disabilities.FundingTEA Active Grants: Universal ErrataWeblink Click on link from left menu for “General Fiscal Guidelines”On August 12, 2014, a Universal Errata was posted for all active grants administered by TEA.?The universal errata notice is to inform recipients of all active grants administered by TEA that an updated version of the General and Fiscal Guidelines was posted to the TEA website on June 27, 2014. This new version of the General and Fiscal Guidelines is effective from July 1, 2014. For example, processes and procedures regarding grant negotiations and selection will be conducted according to the newly published General and Fiscal Guidelines effective July 1, 2014.For details, refer to the full errata notice posted on the TEA Grant Opportunities page.For funding information, please visit the TEA Grant Opportunities page. If you have any other questions, submit them through the TEA Help Desk. To access the TEA Help Desk, visit the Grants page of the agency website and click the green “TEA Help Desk” button at the top of the page.Region 4 Contact: Jerry Klekotta at 713.744.6393 or gklekotta@Application for Approval of Funding for Residential Placement 2013-14 UpdateSubmission of the residential application is mandated for approval of use of special education funding and compliance review. In 2013-14, the Region 4 Special Education Department worked with 7 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) on the process of submitting 28 Approval of Funding for Residential Placement (SAS-A111-13) applications and/or amendments to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) totaling $4,488,239.76. All applications were approved by TEA for use of the 25% set aside, IDEA funds, local tax share, and/or state FSP education costs. Three districts received IDEA B Discretionary Residential Awards totaling $403,327. Region 4 Contacts: Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.744.6399 or lhall@ or Jerry Klekotta at 713.744.6393 or gklekotta@Application for Approval of Funding for Residential Placement Packet 2014-2015General Procedures and Instructions for Completing the Application for Approval of Funding for Residential Placement2014-15 Application for Approval of Funding for Residential Placement2014-15 Amended Application for Approval of Funding for Residential PlacementResidential Application Submission Form and ChecklistSample Agreement Form for Special Education ServicesRecommended Reintegration PlanTEA has provided the 2014-2015 Application for Approval of Funding for Residential Placement. A school district may contract for residential placement when the student’s admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee determines that a residential placement is necessary in order for the student to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). A school district which intends to contract for residential placement of a student with a residential facility shall notify TEA of its intent to contract for the residential placement through the residential application process. The application is submitted to the Education Service Center (ESC) and the ESC submits to TEA through the Accellion system.Region 4 Contacts: Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.744.6399 or lhall@ or Jerry Klekotta at 713.744.6393 or gklekotta@Applications are due to TEA no later than November 1, 2014. Please allow time for the ESC to review. Noneducational Community-Based Support Services (Noned) Funding Update for 2013-14The 74th Texas Legislative appropriated funds to provide noneducational community-based support services (noned) for certain students with disabilities and their families to help them care for their children with severe disabilities, and to enable them to better cope with having an individual with a disability at home.TEA granted $158,199 in to Region 4 for the provision of Noneducational (Noned) Community-Based Support Services for the 2013-2014 funding year. This represented a significant decrease over past years. Noned funds may be used only for eligible students with disabilities who, without the provision of these services, would remain in or would have to be placed in residential facilities for education reasons. The intent of the state legislation is for LEAs to provide services that are unallowable purchases with education funds, to help families of this population care for their students, and to enable families to better cope with having an individual with a disability at home. [34 C.F.R. 300.154(a-c), TEC 29.013(a-d)]. These funds are for services which are periodic and short-term and are not intended for services that are intensive or long-term. Region 4 Special Education Department processes applications and administers flow-through noned funds allocated by TEA for LEAs. In 2013-14, Region 4 reviewed 44 applications from 9 LEAs requesting noned funds totaling $259,410 or about 39% more than the TEA allocation. As these funds are for short-term, intermittent services, priority was given to Year 1 applications. Noneducational Community-Based Support Services (Noned) Funding for 2014-15TEA Weblink Question and Answer document available via weblink Sample Application for District Decision-making process*Region 4 Noned Request Submission SpreadsheetTEA has extended the deadline for use of the 2013-14 noned funds and therefore Region 4 has funds currently to allocate for use. Only local education agencies LEAs may apply, and therefore, the decision whether or not to apply for funds rests solely with the district or charter school. The LEA electing to apply for noned funds must have a planning meeting to discuss options for noned services. Persons attending and participating in this meeting should be district staff knowledgeable about the student, a representative of the local Mental Health Agency (MHA), the Local Intellectual Disability Agency (LIDA), and/or the Community Resource Coordination Groups of Texas (CRCG), or other service providers, and the parents. The student’s Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee may not serve as this planning group and should not make the decision regarding services. Parents wishing to access services may not directly apply for these funds to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or Region 4 Education Service Center (Region 4). Parents should contact their LEA and request a meeting to discuss the need for noned services for their student. Once it has been determined what services are needed, the LEA contacts the regional Education Service Center (ESC) to obtain directions and procedures for applying.Requests for noned funds must be submitted to Region 4. As these funds are for short-term, intermittent services, preference will be given to first year applications. Once the LEA has been notified of application approval and the allocation amount, reimbursement will be made after noned services have been provided to the student through an invoice process to Region 4 with documentation of LEA payment to provider. Students with autism can only be approved for respite care or attendant care. In-home training or viable alternatives and parent training that support the student’s individualized education program (IEP) must be paid for with educational funds as required by 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §89.1055(e). Region 4 Contacts: Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.744.6399 or lhall@ or Jerry Klekotta at 713.744.6393 or gklekotta@The current support services include the following.Attendant CarePsychiatric/Psychological ConsultationManagement of Leisure TimePeer Support GroupParent Support GroupSocialization TrainingIndividual SupportFamily SupportFamily Dynamics TrainingRespite CareTransportation to access approved noneducational servicesGeneralization TrainingFor a more detailed explanation of the various allowable support services, please refer to the Noneducational Community-Based Support Services Questions and Answers document.Accountability/ComplianceSpecial Education Monitoring TETNsRegister online to attend at: Special Education Monitoring TETNs sponsored by TEA to learn about updates for SPED Monitoring.If you plan to attend onsite at Region 4, register online for:September 15, 2014 Session # 1091846November 12, 2014 Session # 1091853January 29, 2015 Session # 1091860April 16, 2015 Session # 1091863Region 4 Contact: Jerry Klekotta at 713.744.6393 or gklekotta@Performance Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS)Register online to attend at: TEA plans to release staging on October 3, 2014. Region 4 will offer two sessions on PBMAS: Special Education, Bilingual/ESL, CTE, NCLB: Update for 2014-15October 8, 2014 Session # 1043925October 14, 2014 Session # 1043926Region 4 Contact: Jerry Klekotta at 713.744.6393 or gklekotta@RF TrackerTEA tentatively plans to open RF Tracker on September 12, 2014. Region 4 Contact: Jerry Klekotta at 713.744.6393 or gklekotta@Senate Bill 460Senate Bill 460 weblink: Bill 460 amends the Education Code to require any minimum academic qualifications specified for a certificate by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) that require a person to possess a bachelor's degree to require also that the person receive instruction in detection of students with mental or emotional disorders as part of the training required to obtain that certificate. Senate Bill 460 amends the Health and Safety Code to require each school district to provide training relating to early mental health intervention and suicide prevention for teachers, counselors, principals, and all other appropriate personnel, with training provided at an elementary school campus only to the extent that sufficient funding and programs are available.The training must include information on:characteristics of the most prevalent mental or emotional disorders among children;identification of mental or emotional disorders;effective strategies for teaching and intervening with students with mental or emotional disorders, including de-escalation techniques and positive behavioral interventions and supports; andproviding, in compliance with Section 38.010, notice and referral to a parent or guardian of a student with a mental or emotional disorder so that the parent or guardian may take appropriate action such as seeking mental health services.Region 4 Contact: Clynita Grafenreed, Ph.D. at 713.744.6345 or clynita.grafenreed@Working LunchWhat can Region 4 do for you?Facilitating the IEP ProcessIndividualized Education Program Facilitation (FIEP)Information related to the project may be found at Texas Education Agency (TEA) is pleased to announce the state-sponsored individualized education program facilitation (FIEP) project. A description of the project and the request for state facilitation form may be found on the TEA website. FIEP-TEA InformationWeblink Guidance on the TEA website (9/10/2014) indicates that individualized education program (IEP) facilitation is a method of alternative dispute resolution that involves the use of a trained facilitator to assist an admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee in developing an IEP for a student with a disability. The facilitator uses facilitation techniques to help the committee members communicate and collaborate effectively. A student’s school or the state may provide a facilitator for an ARD committee meeting. While schools are not required to offer IEP facilitation as an alternative dispute resolution method, TEA encourages the use of IEP facilitation. Facilitation must be voluntary on the part of the participants and must be provided at no cost to the parents. Additionally, no one may use facilitation to deny or delay the right to pursue a special education complaint, mediation, or due process hearing in accordance with federal law.According to TEA, a facilitator is not a member of the ARD committee and has no decision making authority over the ARD committee meeting. The facilitator must be impartial and cannot provide input or an opinion into the development of a student’s IEP. According to TEA, a facilitator assists with the overall organization and conduct of the ARD committee meeting by:assisting the committee in establishing an agenda and setting the time allotted for the meeting;assisting the committee in establishing a set of guidelines for the meeting;guiding the discussion and keeping the focus on developing a mutually-agreed-upon IEP for the student;ensuring that each committee member has an opportunity to participate;helping to resolve disagreements that arise; andhelping to keep the ARD committee on task and within the time allotted for the meeting.FIEP-Local FacilitationWeblink that choose to offer IEP facilitation in accordance with Texas Education Code § 29.019 must provide information to parents regarding facilitation, including a description of any applicable procedures for requesting facilitation. The information provided to parents must be included with other information provided to the parent of a student with a disability, although it may be provided as a separate document and may be provided in a written or electronic format.The school may choose to use independent contractors, employees, or other qualified individuals as facilitators.A parent who is interested in local facilitation should contact his or her student’s school and follow local procedures in order to request that a facilitator be present at the student’s ARD committee meeting.FIEP-State FacilitationWeblink for an Independent Individualized Education Program (IEP) Facilitator form* TEA has established a program that provides independent IEP facilitators in accordance with Texas Education Code §29.020. State IEP facilitation has the same general meaning described above except that state IEP facilitation is used when the ARD committee is in dispute about decisions relating to the provision of a free and appropriate public education to a student with a disability and the facilitator is an independent facilitator provided by the TEA.If a parent and a school want to request an independent facilitator, the parent and the school must complete the Request for a State Facilitated Individualized Education Program Meeting form. Additionally, an interested party may contact TEA’s Division of Federal and State Education Policy at 512-463-9414 and request a copy of the form. Upon completion, the form must be filed with TEA by the parent or by the school through mail, hand-delivery, or facsimile to: Texas Education AgencyDivision of Federal and State Education PolicyWilliam B. Travis Building1701 N. Congress AvenueAustin TX 78701-1494 Fax: (512) 463-9560 In order for TEA to provide an independent facilitator, the following conditions must be met.The parent and the school must complete and sign the required form.The dispute must relate to an ARD committee meeting in which the committee did not reach mutual agreement about the required elements of the IEP and in which the ARD committee has agreed to recess and reconvene the meeting in accordance with 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §89.1050.The parent and the school must file the request for an IEP facilitation within five calendar days of the ARD committee meeting that ended in disagreement, and a facilitator must be available on the date set for reconvening the meeting.The dispute must not relate to a manifestation determination or determination of interim alternative educational setting.The same parties must not be concurrently involved in special education mediation.The issues in dispute must not be the subject of a special education complaint or of a special education due process hearing.The parent and the school must not have participated in IEP facilitation concerning the same student within the same school year of the filing of the current request for IEP facilitation.Within five business days of receipt of a request for an IEP facilitation under this section, TEA will determine whether the required conditions have been met and will notify the parent and the school of its determination and the assignment of the independent facilitator, if applicable.TEA may make the independent facilitator assignment based on a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, geographic location and availability. If assigned, the independent facilitator will promptly contact the parties to clarify the issues, gather necessary information, and explain the IEP facilitation process.If TEA decides not to provide an independent facilitator, TEA will notify the parent and the school of the decision. TEA’s decision is final and is not subject to review or appeal.You may address questions related to the state IEP facilitation program to the Division of Federal and State Education Policy at 512-463-9414.FIEP-Region 4 Resources and Training OpportunitiesRegion 4 FIEP Resources Region 4 online professional development catalog at 4 has identified resources and training opportunities designed for district facilitation of the IEP process. Resources may be reviewed through the FIEP Quick Reference Guide link. The following online trainings have been developed through use of federal and state funds and are provided online at no cost to participants to register. Participants may register for one or all sessions in the series. Each session requires an individual registration.The 4 Tenets of IEP Meeting Leadership and Facilitation – Modules 1-4 (Online)The targeted stakeholder audience for this course includes campus administrators, principals, assistant principals, district administrators, campus staff and parents.Each module covers a separate topic and takes 1.5-2 hours to complete. SessionTitle1098117Module 1: Foundational Knowledge1098118Module 2: IEP Preparation & Planning1098119Module 3: Problem Solving & Consensus Building1098120Module 4: Breaking Through an ImpasseFor more information, contact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D., 713.744.6399 or lhall@FIEP-Region 13 Resources and Training OpportunitiesFIEP Region 13 Resources at Parent Handbook for Special Education available at In addition to Region 4 training, the statewide project for FIEP under the leadership of Region 13 ESC has posted resources including: Parent Handbook for Special EducationIEP ChecklistFacilitation ContinuumConsensus GradientThe Basics: Facilitating ARDs/ IEP Meetings (FIEP Online) is an 18 hour online course intended to provide skills to all members of the ARD/IEP committee including the parents of students with disabilities. This course explores group process, communication, problem solving and decision making. And, because sometimes team work is challenging, the course provides strategies for conflict resolution. The examples relate to special education, but the skills and strategies are applicable to any team. The online course is provided at no cost to the participant. Register online to take session # FA1219851FIEP-The National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) Resources and Training VideosWeblink to State Dispute Resolution System Resource Showcase Weblink to FIEP training video clips at ’s Resource Showcase is a systematic organization of items that may be useful to states and districts as they design, implement, and improve their dispute resolutions systems and processes. CADRE, in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education and the Connecticut State Education Resource Center (SERC), supported a two-day IEP Facilitation Training March, 2013. Portions of this training presented by independent contractor Key2Ed’s were recorded and are available for viewing from the weblink. Video topics include:What is IEP Meeting Facilitation and its PurposeMeeting Functions and Roles Stages of a Discussion & Tools for Building AgreementDimensions of SuccessFacilitative BehaviorsStrategic MomentsSetting Up for SuccessRoom ArrangementsAgendaFollow Through & Action PlanningThe Importance of AcknowledgementsListening as an Ally Ladder of InfluenceReconciling Differences: Issues, Positions and InterestsGuidelines for Reconciling DifferenceEncouraging others to Listen as AlliesSpecial Education Instruction and ServicesStandards-Based IEPsIndividualized Education Program (IEP) Annual Goal Development Question and Answer Document*Region 20 AGC Network weblink: The IEP Annual Goal Development Q & A was revised on June 19, 2014. Minor wording changes throughout.Questions with additional/updated information are 1.23, 1.36, and 1.37.2.18 is a new question that addresses modified content. Region 4 Contact: Amy Doolan at 713.744.6337 or adoolan@ or Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. at 713.744.6361 or komelan@ Region 4 Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD)Texas Education Code (TEC) 30.081-30.087TEA RDSPD Shared Service Agreements (SSA) Procedure: District SSA for the RDSPDCurrently in the state of Texas, there are fifty-five Regional Day School Programs for the Deaf (RDSPD). Within the Region 4 area, there are eight.In the spring of 2012, TEA asked Region 4 to become the fiscal agent for a new RDSPD, and Region 4 agreed. TEA’s goal is two-fold:Reduce the number of RDSPD programs throughout the state Utilize the limited funding available in an efficient and effective manner to equitably serve students who are deaf or hard of hearing.As the program enters its third year, the Region 4 RDSPD is open to meeting with districts. If you are interested in investigating further the financial and service impact this program would have for your students, please contact Marina McCormick at 713.744.6329 or marina.mccormick@ DyslexiaThe Dyslexia Handbook (Revised 2014)*Dyslexia Website Newly revised handbook is available as are brochures in English and Spanish.Statewide contact for dyslexia is:Virginia Gonzalez, M.Ed., LDT, CALTEmail: virginia.gonzalez@Phone: 972-348-1410 or(in Texas) 800-232-3030 ext. 1410Fax: 972-348-1411Region 4 contact: Windy Clark, Education Specialist Reading/Language Arts and Social Studies Solutions at 713.744.8124 or windy.clark@ Regional Plan for Orientation and Mobility Services to Students withVisual ImpairmentsMemo to Directors of Special Education*Budget Appropriation Form*As part of the Regional Plan for Services to Students with Visual Impairments, Region 4 provides funds as reimbursement to supplement salary/benefits or contracted hourly instruction for Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialists. The supplements for the 2014-2015 school year are as follows:$10,000 for full-time O&M specialists with a minimum caseload of 12 students$5,000 for half-time O&M specialists with a minimum caseload of 6 students$36.50/hour for contract O&M specialistsReimbursement for districts and O&M co-operatives may not exceed $20,000.00Please complete and submit the Budget Appropriation Form to Region 4 by October 1. No later than October 15, a letter will be sent indicating the amount that the district or co-operative will receive.Region 4 Contact: Cecilia Robinson at 713.744.6379 or cecilia.robinson@Super Tools for TeachersSuper Tools for TeachersUDLA new resource is available on the Region 4 website to support educators with accommodations. The short training videos:Contain ideas and inspiration to improve classroom learningAlign with STAAR A online accommodationsFeature just-in-time “how to” videosHave instructional handoutsHighlight digital accommodations & modificationsShowcase tablet & laptop accessibility featuresRemain free 24/7!For Your InformationSpecial Education Director’s PortalSpecial Education Director Wikispace: are currently developing 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.Until the portal is fully functional, the meeting handouts will continue to be available on the wikispace at: visit the SEDirector wikispace at to access and download information and resources you may need for future reference. Identification of District Transition and Employment Services DesigneeTAA Letter: Legal Framework Directions*House Bill (HB) 617, 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2013 amended Section 29.011 of the Texas Education Code. The state law now requires each local education agency (LEA) or shared services arrangement (SSA) to designate at least one employee to serve as the LEA or SSA designee on transition and employment services for students enrolled in special education programs. A portal has been developed on the Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education Process (Legal Framework) website for identification of the district/charter’s transition and employment services designee. LEAs and SSAs must enter transition and employment services designee information into the authoring system of the Legal Framework by September 1, 2014. Note the Special Education Director, who holds the Legal Framework Administrator account, will enter the information. See attached power point with directions.LEAs and SSAs must enter transition and employment services designee information into the authoring system of the Legal Framework by September 1, 2014. Please use the following link to submit the information: For information or assistance, contact the Legal Framework at frameworkhelp@ or 432.561.4332. Deadline was September 1, 2014 to have this completed. Foster Care & Student Success - Texas School Foster Care LiaisonsTEA Weblink: Care 2014 TAA*Each school district and open-enrollment charter school in Texas is required to appoint at-least one employee to act as a foster care liaison officer. TEC Sec. 33.904. LIAISON FOR CERTAIN CHILDREN IN CONSERVATORSHIP OF STATE. (a) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school shall:(1) appoint at least one employee to act as a liaison officer to facilitate the enrollment in or transfer to a public school or open-enrollment charter school of a child in the district or area served by the charter school who is in the conservatorship of the state; and(2) submit the liaison's name and contact information to the agency in a format and under the schedule determined by the commissioner.(b) The agency shall provide information to the liaisons on practices for facilitating the enrollment in or transfer to a public school or open-enrollment charter school of children who are in the conservatorship of the state.A comprehensive Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide was published in the fall of 2013 and is available at the link.Please check if your district or charter school has completed this process at If not, please have the district or charter Superintendent’s office and/or a selected administrator in the district notify TEA at fostercareliaison@tea.state.tx.us. Beginning in the fall of 2014 (specific date not yet determined) this information will be collected in AsKTED as entered by the district’s AsKTED coordinator. For now, the information is collected through TEA’s foster care liaison email inbox. .Foster Care & Student Success – Committed to Improving the Education of Students in Foster CareTAA letter September 10, 2014 at *The purpose of TEA’s TAA letter is to provide important updates and resources to support Texas districts and charter schools with implementing statutory provisions adopted to improve the education outcomes for students in the managing conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). This letter should be shared with the School District Foster Care Liaison(s), appointed in accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC) §33.904, school administrators, counselors, and other personnel who work with students in foster care.For additional information, contact: Karen Pepkin, Education Specialist, Region 4 Parent Coordination Network Representative 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@Parent Coordination NetworkWeblink: Click on Statewide Parent CoordinationThe Parent Coordination Network, led by Region 9 ESC, is a leadership function of TEA and provides?statewide leadership to address identified areas of need in special education. Links are provided to Parent Resources.For additional information, contact: Karen Pepkin, Education Specialist, Region 4 Parent Coordination Network Representative 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@Parent Coordination Network: Parent SurveyWeblink: The Parent Survey is completed annually. The 2014 results will be available this fall. Large districts are surveyed every year (different campuses). Smaller districts are surveyed on a rotating basis. The districts to be surveyed will be announced by January 2015.For additional information, contact: Karen Pepkin, Education Specialist, Region 4 Parent Coordination Network Representative 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@Parent Coordination Network: Parent Organizations AcademyThe Parent Organizations Academy will be held in January 2015 and is by invitation only. If there are any representatives in your area from parent organizations that you would recommend attend, please send their names and contact information to Karen Pepkin to be considered for attendance at the Parent Organizations Academy.For additional information, contact: Karen Pepkin, Education Specialist, Region 4 Parent Coordination Network Representative 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@Parent Coordination: Texas Project FirstWeblinkTexas Project First provides resources for parents. It is a parent organization that is managed by Family to Family Network.For additional information, contact: Karen Pepkin, Education Specialist, Region 4 Parent Coordination Network Representative 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@Parent Coordination: Surrogate Parent TrainingRegion 9 ESC Weblink Surrogate parent training resources are available through the Region 9 website in English and Spanish. For additional information, contact: Karen Pepkin, Education Specialist, Region 4 Parent Coordination Network Representative 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@Procedural SafeguardsTEA Guidance Legal Framework The Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities (Procedural Safeguards) explains the specific rights and responsibilities of the parent in the special education process. The Procedural Safeguards fulfills the current legal requirements for the federally prescribed content of this notice. It is presented in a format designed to clarify for parents their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Other than adding local contact information in the designated space, the wording must not be changed. School districts and charter schools are required to provide the Procedural Safeguards only one time a year, except upon: initial referral or on request for evaluation; the first occurrence of the filing of a due process hearing complaint; a disciplinary change of placement; or upon request by a parent.Local Education Agencies (LEA) are provided spaces on the back page of the Procedural Safeguards to list local contact information for the LEA, Education Service Center and Parent Training Information (PTI) Center. TEA requires that the PTI be listed in the third column available in the Procedural Safeguards, unless there is an alternate advocacy organization located closer to the LEA than the PTI. In that case the closer parent advocacy, ARC, or other organization, may be listed in that column: Parent Training Information Center TEAM Project (Serving Region 4) 2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 435Houston, TX 77057713.524.2147 Office 713.942.7135 Fax Toll free: 877.832.8945 prnteam@ Website: For Region 4 districts, the following information should be entered in the fields on the back page of the Procedural Safeguards when the document is downloaded for print or other dissemination:Region 4 Education Service Center 7145 West Tidwell Road Houston, TX 77092-2096specialeducation@ 713.744.6365 713.744.6811 FaxFor additional information, contact: Karen Pepkin, Education Specialist, Region 4 Parent Coordination Network Representative 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@PartnersTx Online CoursesWeblink: Partners Resource Network has created online courses for parents in the following areas:IDEA 2004Procedural SafeguardsPartners in EducationMaking your caseRegistration for online courses will be processed in 7-10 business days. Once processing is complete, you will receive an email with your login information for each course that you have registered for. Emails will be sent from our webmaster's email account: kristina@ .For additional information, contact: Karen Pepkin, Education Specialist, Region 4 Parent Coordination Network Representative 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@ Parent Companion First Five YearsWeblink Parent Companion First Five Years is coming soon. Developed in collaboration with Texas Parent to Parent, TEA and Region 13 ESCThe Parent Companion was designed for parents and families from across Texas to share their firsthand experiences, tips, and advice with you through video. With the Parent Companion, you will not feel alone. You will be reassured through this difficult journey and will learn how to speak up for your child and yourself.Region 13 contact at parentcompanion@esc13. Parent Handbook for Special EducationFree downloadable copy of this handbook available at the Region 13 ESC weblink: Handbook designed by Region 13 to help parents navigate the special education process is available at no cost.Electronic Submission of Local Education Agency (LEA) Policies and ProceduresLegal Framework weblink Pursuant to 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §300.220, each LEA must have on file with the TEA its policies and procedures that are consistent with State policies and procedures governing special education.Since April 2004, Region 18 ESC, statewide lead for the Legal Framework, has worked closely with ESCs to provide leadership to the State in the electronic submission of LEA policies and procedures through the online Legal Framework The online policies and procedures format allows districts the opportunity to make this very important information readily available to community stakeholders, as well as provide the State with an effective and efficient way to manage this federal requirement. You can generate the District Status Report for Policies using the LF Authoring Account system. Start by going to the Legal Framework; click the link on the bottom right for the Administrator link to log in to your LF Authoring Account. Once in the account, select Reporting, Status Report, and report type Policies and Procedures. Review the report and make any needed changes. If you need to review the process for linking, refer to the Resource Library Training Materials For information or assistance, contact the Legal Framework at frameworkhelp@ or 432.561.4332.Region 4 Legal Framework representatives: Jerry Klekotta, 713.744.6393 or gklekotta@ or Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D., 713.744.6399 or linda.hall@Office of Legal Services, Special Education General InformationWeblink: TEA has posted the following resourcesSpecial Education Dispute Resolution Systems HandbookThis handbook is designed to assist parents, school officials, and other interested parties in understanding and working through TEA's special education dispute resolution system. The handbook is not intended to be legal advice. A party needing legal advice concerning a special education matter should contact a private attorney as TEA cannot provide legal assistance. A link to the Spanish translation of the Dispute Resolution Handbook is available on the website. Free and Low Cost Legal ServicesTEA has posted a link to a list that contains information about free or low cost legal service providers in the State of Texas in accordance with 34 CFR §300.507(b). The list is not exhaustive and TEA, its employees, and contractors cannot provide recommendations on which provider, if any, you should choose.Special Education Parent Attorneys and AdvocatesFor a list of attorneys and advocates who represent and/or assist students in special education disputes, TEA has posted a link to contact TEA Legal Services. The list is not exhaustive. This list is provided for the information and convenience of the parties and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by TEA, its employees, or contractors.Region 4 ESCCore TeamsHandout:Special Education Solutions Department Core Teams*Region 4 Special Education staff are divided into Core Teams in order to better serve districts.The team members work collaboratively to identify regional and district needs and develop services to address those needs. Core Teams (Lead)Access to the General Curriculum (Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D.)Student Evaluation/Speech/Related Services (Gayla Lutz)Preschool (Sonja Hollan)Low Incidence (Susan Parker)Behavior/Social/Emotional (Clynita Grafenreed, Ph.D.)Administration/Accountability/Compliance (Jerry Klekotta)Assistive Technology (Angela Standridge)Texas Assistive Technology Network (TATN)TATN website: Texas Assistive Technology Network (TATN) consists of representatives from each of the Texas Education Services Centers, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Region 4 Education Service Center provides statewide leadership for the network. Through a comprehensive planning process, the TATN has developed a framework for statewide collaboration. Priorities in professional development and technical assistance focus on providing training, products and services that: build district capacity in assistive technology knowledge and skills promote strategies for building the literacy skills of all students, and are aligned with statewide literacy initiativesFor additional information, contact:Kirk Behnke, Statewide Lead, at 713.744.6559 or kbehnke@Donna McLauchlin at 713.744.6377 or dmclaudhlin@ Tricia Peters at 713.744.6374 or tpeters@ Cecilia Robinson at 713.744.6379 or crobinson@ Angela Standridge at 713.744.6831 or amstand@Frankie Fontenot, Technology Support at 713.744.6339 or ffontenot@ Texas Behavior Support Network (TBS)TBS website: Texas Behavior Support (TBS) network consists of representatives from each of the Texas Education Service Centers and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Region 4 Education Service Center provides statewide leadership for the network. The focus of TBS is to provide capacity-building trainings and products for Education Service Centers and Child-Serving Agency Network Representatives for regional-level professional development and technical assistance activities with districts/charter schools and child-serving agencies. The goal of the network is to create a Positive Behavior Support System in the Texas public schools that will enable students with disabilities to receive special education supports and services in the least restrictive environment and to participate successfully in the TEKS-based curriculum and state assessment system. For additional information, contact:Clynita Grafenreed, Ph.D., Statewide Lead, at 713.744.6345 or cgrafenreed@ Chad Perry at 713.744.6321 or cperry@ Shelley Garza at 713.744.4433 or sgarza@ Region 4 Representatives to Statewide NetworksTEA Statewide Leadership and Projects weblink: Access to the General Curriculum (ESC 20 Lead) Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. Low Incidence Disabilities (ESC 3 Lead)Susan Parker Parent Coordination (ESC 9 Lead)Karen PepkinServices for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ESC 11 Lead) – Cecilia RobinsonSheryl Sokoloski Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ESC 11, Lead) Kelley WattTexas Secondary Transition and Post School Results (ESC 11 Lead)Karen PepkinTexas Statewide Leadership for Autism (ESC 13 Lead) Cathy Williams Region 4 Representatives to Statewide ProjectsTEA Statewide Leadership and Projects weblink: Framework (ESC 18 Lead)Jerry KlekottaLinda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. Special Education Statewide Evaluation Conference (ESC 12 Lead)Kara ZwolinskiGayla LutzTexas Autism Conference (ESC 2 Lead)Cathy WilliamsTexas Initiative for Disproportionate Representation in Special Education (ESC 1 Lead)Gayla LutzTETN/TWU Speech Pathology Master’s Program – (ESC 10 Lead)Gayla LutzRegion 4 Child Find ResourcesRegion 4 Child Find webpage: 4 provides the following resources to assist with the Child Find Process: Frequently Asked Questions Child Find Flyers Helpful ResourcesFor additional information, contact Kara Zwolinski at 713.744.6562 or kara.zwolinski@ Texas State Autism Conference Parent StipendsAutism State Conference webpage: Texas State Autism Conference will be held on November 6 & 7, 2014 (Thursday & Friday) in Corpus Christi, TX at the American Bank Convention Center.Region 4 ESC has been given 4 stipends for parents to attend the conference. In addition, Region 4 will reimburse up to $1000 for travel expenses to parents who receive the stipends.If you are interested in your district receiving a parent stipend, email Cathy Williams, cathy.williams@, or fill out the form at your table. Those districts that express interest will be included in a random drawing, and four will be selected to receive the stipends. The selected districts will determine to whom the stipend will be given. Additional details regarding registration and reimbursement will be provided to selected districts.For additional information, contact Cathy Williams: cathy.williams@, 713-744-6801.Professional Development OpportunitiesRegion 4 Professional Development BrochuresBrochures:504*Access to the General Curriculum (AGC)*Assistive Technology*Autism*Deaf Ed*Director’s Series*Early Childhood*Inclusion*LID*OT/PT*Paraprofessional*Save the Date! Summer Conferences 2015Information on Region 4 opportunities for professional development opportunities is provided.Accessible Laboratory Science Team Training ApplicationAccessible Laboratory Science Team Training Overview and Application Form*Region 4 Education Service Center is excited to introduce a collaborative opportunity for Accessible Laboratory Team Training in January, 2015. An accessible science laboratory is one that incorporates the adaptations and tools necessary for a student with a visual impairment or other disabilities to participate in science exploration. According to the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework having an accessible laboratory in science enhances the learning for all students. The departments of Special Education Solutions and Science Solutions are initiating a team training consisting of: a teacher of students with visual impairments, a general education science teacher, and at least one other special education staff member who works with students with disabilities. Teams will receive two kits of science materials and the tools to adapt those items to allow accessible laboratory science.During the training, teams will create an implementation plan and participate in post-training follow-up documentation activities. Space is limited. If you are interested in having a team attend this training, please complete this application form and return no later than November 6, 2014.For more information, contact Sheryl Sokoloski at 713.744.6315 or sheryl.sokoloski@Region 4 Professional DevelopmentRegister online for Homebound meeting at: Register online for APE Institute at: Homebound Instruction Networking Meetings:October 30, 2014, 1:00-4:00 PM, session ID 1084651February 23, 2015, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, session ID 1084652Adapted Physical Education (APE) InstituteOctober 23-24, 2014, January 30, April 9-10, 2015, 8:30-3:30, session ID 1090580Special Education Leadership SeriesRegister online at: In a leadership position for Special Education in schools in the state of Texas? Or want to be? Join us for five sessions starting on October 15, 2014 and going throughout the year discussing topics such as: Legal Issues, Compliance, Leadership Skills including Effective Supervision, Team Building, Effective Communication, Collaboration, and Personnel Management, Fiscal Management including Budget Development, Managing Resources, Documentation, and Staffing. This session is designed for current and future leaders of special education including Coordinators, Supervisors, Seniors or Leads, and ARD Facilitators.Session ID: 1043343, All sessions will be held at Region 4 ESC from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM on the following dates: October 15, 2014November 19, 2014January 21, 2015February 18, 2015May 13, 2015Contact: Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.744.6399 or lhall@ ................
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