September is National Preparedness Month



Weekly Update 9.10.2015?TEA InformationSpecial Education Monitoring TETNsTEA has set up the following dates and times for the 2015-16 school year Special Educaiton Monitoring TETNs. The dates are:September 23, 2015 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pmDecember 3, 2015 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pmFebruary 19, 2016 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pmThe agenda for the 23rd of September includes the following:Changes to nonpublic approvalsChanges to RF monitoring and RF trackerPBMAS updatesSession numbers will be sent out next week.Procedural Safeguards and Parent Guide Translations Available On the SPEDTex WebsiteThe Texas Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex, Regioin 10 ESC) delivers answers to questions about special education to stakeholders across the state of Texas. Region 10 ESC provides state-wide leadership for SPEDTex as a project of the Texas Education Agency. SPEDTex may be accessed at: . HYPERLINK "" Contact information 1-855-SPED-TEX or inquire@Special Education Resources Procedural Safeguards available in several languages – at this time, Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Korean, Nepali, Somali, Tagalog, and Vietnamese are availableParent Guide to the ARD Process available in several languages – at this time Spanish, Chinese, German, French, Tagalog, and Vietnamese are availableLegal Framework: Reformatted Disability CategoriesNote on the Updates tab of the Legal Framework that 12 of the 13 disability categories have been updated and republished. These do not reflect legal changes, only a realignment and formatting to match the one previously published and approved by TEA. No change documents have been prepared as there were no legal changes. In the near future there will be other frameworks published. If there are legal changes, there will be change/comparison documents posted in the authoring system. If there are only cosmetic or formatting changes, there will be no change documents posted.Adopted Commissioner of Education RulesAdopted Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations, Subchapter AA, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Special Education Services, Division 2, Clarification of Provisions in Federal Regulations and State Law, §89.1070, Graduation RequirementsSummary: The adopted amendment is based on changes made to the state's assessment graduation requirements by Senate Bill 149, 84th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2015. The amendment was adopted without changes from what was published as proposed.Effective Date: September 16, 2015.?Please see attached document or the TEA website to view adopted commissioner of education rules TEA Releases Statewide STAAR Grades 3-8 Mathematics Passing RatesThe Texas Education Agency (TEA) released the statewide passing rates for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR?) mathematics tests in grades 3–8. The results reflect passing rates for the spring 2015 administration of STAAR.The State Board of Education adopted new rigorous math standards in April 2012 with implementation for grades K–8 in the 2014–2015 school year. In April, Commissioner of Education Michael Williams announced that results of 2015 STAAR in mathematics for grades 3–8 would be excluded from the 2015 state accountability system. The Commissioner reached his decision following numerous discussions with math teachers, parents, and superintendents across the state regarding new curriculum standards in mathematics.?Because of the substantial changes made to the mathematics curriculum standards, the math tests were also revised and new passing standards were recently set. Passing rates for all but two grades either increased or stayed the same when comparing last year’s results at the 2014 student performance standards with the 2015 results at the new passing standards. Mathematics passing rates increased over the previous school year in grades 3, 4 and 7, while remaining stable in grades 5. Slight declines were seen in grades 6 and 8.?GRADE2013-20142014-2015370%77%470%73%579%79%679%75%767%72%879%75%Comparison charts of statewide results and summary charts provide greater detail on all STAAR results. To review state-level reports for grades 3–8, visit the Texas Education Agency website at . Important Changes to the Texas Assessment Program for the 2015–2016 School YearTEA has posted changes at For Your InformationSBOE Recognizes School Volunteers as Heroes for ChildrenThe State Board of Education (SBOE) announced names of Texans who provide hundreds of hours of volunteer service to Texas public schools who will be honored with the Heroes for Children award at the SBOE meeting on Friday, September 11, 2015.The following from the Region 4 greater area will be honored. Kim Hadaway (Galena Park ISD – SBOE District 4) -Hadaway is a constant presence at Cimarron Elementary School, where she helps out in the library and serves on the health advisory committee, parent advisory committee and the District Planning Advisory Committee.??Julie Stevens (Klein ISD – SBOE District 6) - Stevens has served as the district’s volunteer coordinator for four years and serves as the parent liaison for the Klein ISD Education Foundation, overseeing the annual fundraising event, while also serving as a classroom volunteer at Benignus Elementary School.Marilyn Kingman (Barbers Hill ISD – SBOE District 7) - After working for 32 years as a classroom teacher, Kingman returned to the classroom as a math tutor for struggling high school students. She also assists the district’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program by taking care of the show animals.Bill & Jane Barnes (Conroe ISD – SBOE District 8) - The couple has played a major role the last eight years supporting the many athletic booster clubs at The Woodlands College Park High School, which help to raise scholarships for many student athletes.Recognize The Signs of Suicide; Help OthersEvery 13 minutes one person commits suicide. In fact, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among 15-24 year olds. It’s a serious public health issue that affects families and communities across the nation. Its causes can be complex and involve many factors from: mental illness and abuse to violence and social isolation. Learn to?recognize the signs and what you can do to help.[Available at ]If you or someone you know is in need of help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800-273-TALK (8255) available 24/7 throughout the year. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, do not leave the person alone and call 911. Knowing what resources are available, could save a life. To participate in the conversation on Twitter, follow the hashtag #WorldSuicidePreventionDay.September is National Preparedness MonthNational Preparedness Month -- observed each September -- is a reminder that everyone must take action to prepare for emergencies. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.” National Preparedness Month culminates on September 30 with?National PrepareAthon! Day. Information, resources, and videos available at: . Week 2, September 13-19 is hurricaine preparedness and Week 3, September 20-26 is power outage preparedness. National Certification for Educational Diagnosticians Test to be offered in Pasadena The National Certification for Educational Diagnosticians (NCED) test will be administered in Pasadena ISD at Frazier Elementary School on Saturday, November 14, 2015. This credential is designed for SBEC credentialed Educational Diagnosticians who have two years experience working as an Educational Diagnostician and meet criteria. Texas credentialed Educational Diagnosticians may complete the fast track application. It is recommended that the application and any additional information be submitted at least four weeks prior to the test. For more information and application go to . Please share this information with Educational Diagnosticians in your district or charter. Currently there are three NCED Board members from Texas: Jennifer Davis, Barbers Hill ISD serving on Professional Growth and Advisory (contact at profgrowth@); Emily Rutherford, Ed.D., Assistant Professor at Midwestern State University serving as Secretary (contact at secretary@); and Renee Kwiatek, Ed.D., Independent Consultant serving as Treasurer (contact at treasurer@). 2015-2016 Regional Plan for Orientation and Mobility Services to Students with Visual ImpairmentsThrough 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. Please refer to the attached memo, dated September 1, 2015 for more information. Then, complete the 2015-2016 Regional Plan for Orientation and Mobility Services Budget Appropriation Form and send it to Region 4 by October 1, 2015. Region 4 Upcoming Professional DevelopmentCTE and Special Education: Working TogetherAddress requirements and issues for serving students in special education in the CTE classroom. Acquire the knowledge to understand the increased accountability for CTE as specified in the Carl D. Perkins Act, TEKS and TAKS, and the transition planning requirements under IDEA. Hear from high schools that have successfully implemented national and state programs and learn about their strategies for accommodating students with disabilities in the CTE classroom. Discuss additional solutions and strategies related to CTE and special education issues.Session: 115075Date:9/23/2015Time:9:00 AM – 4:00 PMLocation:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092Contact:Karen Pepkin at 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@Self-Determination and Self-Advocacy- The Key to Post High School SuccessLearn about the impact of self-determination and self-advocacy skills on student success after high school.? Through activities and tools provided, participants will understand the various aspects of self-determination and self-advocacy and how infuse them into the curriculum.? Session and material costs are partially provided through state and federal funding.Session: 1142368Date:9/29/2015Time:1:00 PM – 4:00 PMLocation:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092Contact:Karen Pepkin at 713.744.4470 or kpepkin@The 4 Tenets of IEP Meeting Leadership and Facilitation – Modules 1–4 (Online) NOTE NEW 2015-16 Course Numbers)Region 4, Houston, TX provides training and technical assistance and has developed resources designed to support implementation of ARD Facilitation at the local school level. The following trainings are provided online at no cost to participants to register. Each module covers a separate topic and takes 1.5-2 hours to complete. Participants may take one or all four courses.1179036Module 1: Foundational Knowledge1179002Module 2: IEP Preparation & Planning1179038Module 3: Problem Solving & Consensus Building1179084Module 4: Breaking Through an ImpasseRegion 4 online professional development catalog at Education Leadership SeriesIn a leadership position for Special Education in schools in the state of Texas? Or want to be? Join us for five sessions 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. All sessions will be at Region 4 ESC.Session ID:1138717 Time:8:30 AM - 3:30 PMDate9/30/201511/6/20151/15/20163/1/20165/6/2016Contact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.922.6066 or lhall@NEW OPPORTUNITY! ARD Facilitator Networking MeetingNew for 2015-16, a networking opportunity for ARD Facilitators. Participants will review legal updates, facilitation skills, and current topics related to implementation of TAC 89.1196?Individualized Education Program?(IEP)?Facilitation at the local level.?This networking opportunity is designed for special education staff who are serving in the role of ARD Facilitator?in districts or charter schools. All sessions will be at Region 4 ESC.Session: 1170906DateTime9/11/20159:00 AM - 12:00 PM10/23/20159:00 AM - 12:00 PM1/29/20169:00 AM - 12:00 PM2/26/20169:00 AM - 12:00 PM4/8/20169:00 AM - 12:00 PMContact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.922.6066 or lhall@Residential Placement Application Updates A Local Education Agencies (LEAs)?which intends to contract for placement of a student with a disability under IDEA in a residential facility in accordance with 19 TAC §89.61 must notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through the residential application process. The Application for Approval of Funding for Residential Placement is available through each Education Service Center (ESC). The application is to be completed by the LEA and submitted through the ESC to be forwarded to TEA for review regardless of the funding source the LEA intends to use. This session is designed to provide information, updates, and technical assistance to LEAs who will be completing the TEA Application for Approval of Residential Placement. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants. Session: 1171245Date: 9/29/2015Time:8:30AM-10:00AMLocation:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092Contact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.922.6066 or lhall@Noneducational Community-Based Support Services Funds Application UpdatesThe Texas Education Agency (TEA) under TEC 29.013 has established procedures and criteria for the allocation of funds to school districts for the provision of noneducational community-based support services (noned) to certain students with disabilities under IDEA and their families so that those students may receive an appropriate free public education in the least restrictive environment. The funds may be used only for eligible students with disabilities who would remain or would have to be placed in residential facilities primarily for educational reasons without the provision of noneducational community-based support services. This session is designed to provide information, updates, and technical assistance to Local Education Agencies (LEA) that choose to apply through their Education Service Center (ESC) to TEA for noned funds. Participants are encouraged to share information during the session regarding their LEA policies, procedures, and administrative processes related to providing noned funds. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.Session: 1171247DateTimeLocation9/29/201510:00 AM - 11:30 AMRegion 4 ESC - MCC 1047145 West Tidwell, Houston, 77092Contact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.922.6066 or lhall@ ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download