TEA SPED NEWSLETTER: June 2022

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June 2022

Special Education Newsletter

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 Announcements

Discretionary Residential Awards

Mid-year discretionary residential reimbursements were processed for eligible applicants on June 1, 2022. In the next few weeks, TEA's nonpublic team will contact special education directors of Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that have remaining discretionary residential funds available with instructions for requesting end-of-year reimbursement.

 

NEW: Intensive Program of Instruction (IPI) and Accelerated Instruction (AI) for Students Served Through Special Education Guidance Document Available Now 

HB 4545 passed during the 87th regular, Texas Legislative Session in spring of 2021 and amended the Texas Education Code (TEC) establishing new requirements for accelerated instruction. Rules related to the implementation of these requirements became effective in June 2022. A guidance document regarding the applicability of requirements for AI and IPIs for students who are served by special education is now available on the TEA Special Education Policy and Guidance page, and can be found HERE.  

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 Upcoming Dates

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Did you know that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush? Don't forget to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of this landmark legislation that promotes equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

Department News

Prior Written Notice Legal Requirements and Best Practices

This resource on prior written notice will review the legal requirements as required by the IDEA, including language and timeframe, circumstances that trigger a notice, and content components that must be addressed and share best practices for completing an appropriate prior written notice.

Go to Resource

 


Sensory Impairments and Specific Learning Disabilities

This is a two-page guidance document explaining that the presence of a sensory impairment does not automatically rule out a specific learning disability (SLD) as an exclusionary factor. For some students, the sensory impairment may be a contributing factor but is not what is primarily causing the observed academic underachievement. For these students, a specific learning disability may also be present.

Review Document Now

 


Literacy for All In-Person or Virtual FREE Training

Participants will delve deeply into the science of teaching reading and, through hands-on activities aligned to kindergarten – grade 5 English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) standards, participants will explore how cognitive processes, associated with disabilities, including dyslexia and related disorders, impact the learning of foundational literacy skills. This session was developed by TEA's Inclusion in Texas Network and its content is aligned with the House Bill (HB) 3 Reading Academies; however, Kindergarten – 3 educators must still attend the HB 3 Reading Academies to meet the requirements of that legislation.

Attendees must attend both dates (July 6th and 7th 2022) and participate in session activities to receive credit (12 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits).

Register for IN-PERSON Training at ESC 20

 

Register for VIRTUAL Training

 


Senate Bill (SB) 560 Surveys

The English Learner Support Division is seeking your valuable input for the development of the TEA’s strategic plan aimed at improving outcomes for our 1.1 million emergent bilingual students. Please take a few minutes to complete one of the following surveys.

Take Educator Survey

 

Take Administrator Survey

 

Take Family Survey

 


New! Early Childhood Texas Website

This new website is a one-stop shop to access information about early childhood programs and resources, such as health and development, parenting, child care and education, and eligibility. Resources made available are from TEA, the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, and Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

We encourage you to check out the site and to help promote it to your networks. 

Go to New Website

 


Professional Development for Those Who Work With Students With Autism

Could you use some professional development focused on your work with students with autism? We've got you covered. Check out the Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training (TSLAT) network. Not only does this network house over 90 online courses and a robust video library for quick tips on a variety of topics, but they also have several mentoring guides to help mentors pinpoint the specific training LEA staff may need. 

Go to TSLAT Network

 


Texas Transition and Employment Guide Update

The Transition and Employment Guide is available in 3 new languages, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese! 

Check Out Guide Now

 


SPEDTEX

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

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 Job Listings

Senior Director, Special Education Programs and Policy (Director IV)

Special Education Strategic Integration Specialist (Education Specialist IV) (00024521) (taleo.net)

Review and Support Education Specialist (Education Specialist IV)

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