DEPARTMENT NEWS
This guidance document serves as a resource for LEAs and multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) as they work collaboratively to evaluate students suspected of having a specific learning disability (SLD), including dyslexia and dysgraphia. An overview of relevant regulations, educational disability condition elements, best practices, and special considerations related to the identification of an SLD is provided.
Effective September 1, 2023, Texas public schools must provide information about the Texas Driving with Disability program to students who:
This information must be provided annually to each student who is 16 years of age or older until graduation or until their 21st birthday. The information about the Texas Driving with Disability program must also be provided to the parents or guardians of eligible students. It may be provided with any transition planning materials that the school provides.
The information on the Texas Driving with Disability page linked below may be used by schools to share with students and parents. In addition, the Texas Transition and Employment Guide will be updated to include information about the Texas Driving with Disability program as it applies to students receiving special education services in Texas public schools.
The Texas SPED Support website is home to FREE instructional lesson sets. The Foundational Reading Lesson Set is designed to provide Texas teachers with a set of instructional materials that can be used to create phonics lessons across the entire year. It includes routines for all components of phonics lessons as well as an entire year’s worth of materials. The materials are designed for students in first grade who are learning to read and students in first, second, and third grade who need additional instructional support.
This lesson set includes routines and enough materials for the entire school year, including:
- the top 500 sight words
- approximately 4,000 decodable words
- more than 200 image cards for phonological awareness
- more than 80 sound-spellings ordered by frequency
- more than 40 sound-spelling cards for the most common phonograms
Looking for effective resources to support paraprofessionals? Check out the Working with Paraprofessionals state guidance document and Field User Guide. These supports feature information on paraprofessional's roles and responsibilities, the importance of clear communication, documentation practices, and virtual or a face-to-face classroom supports.
In August, the TEA updated the STAAR Alternate 2 participation requirements beginning with the 2023–2024 school year. Numerous resources are available on the STAAR Alternate 2 Resources webpage to assist district personnel with the updated participation requirements. The resources include:
- Updated STAAR Alternate 2 Participation Requirements (in English and Spanish)
- Updated STAAR Alternate 2 Companion Document (in English and Spanish)
- Participation Requirements Frequently Asked Questions
- Revised STAAR Alternate 2 Webinar Video and accompanying PowerPoint
Each year the TEA invites groups of Texas educators to provide feedback on the development of state assessments (STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, and TELPAS) through educator committees across all assessed grades and content areas. Developing high-quality, aligned questions relies on the expertise and experience of Texas educators. Participants collaborate with other educators from across the state to review and approve each potential question for state assessments. TEA is currently accepting applications from all districts to participate in item review committees all subjects and grade levels.
If you know of any educators (including yourself!) who might be interested in participating in these review meetings, please encourage them to apply using the link below. Meetings are typically held during the spring and summer. If selected, an invite will be sent with all the logistical information.
The commitment is generally two to three days in Austin with all travel, accommodations, and substitute coverage paid for by TEA. All participants will earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
TEA is hosting a Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness & Human Trafficking Webinar Series. The series will address Legislative Updates by the Office of the Attorney General, Labor Trafficking, Investigation Process, and Internet and Social Media. Join us for an informative hour of learning with continuing education credit provided.
The Learning Ally Audiobook Solution is a proven multi-modal reading resource for all instructional settings. Composed of human-read audiobooks, student-centric features, and a suite of teacher resources, it’s designed to help students with reading deficits become more engaged learners and achieve their academic potential. Because of the TEA funding for K-12 public schools and open enrollment charter schools, every educator in the state can support their struggling readers with the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution at no out-of-pocket cost to their school or district. Leveling the playing field for your struggling readers starts by enrolling your school using this form.
Learning Ally has over 80,000 human-read audiobooks including popular books for independent reading and anchor texts aligned to your curriculum like Texas Amplify ELAR!
If you are already enrolled, be sure to add the books students need to read and allow them to add the books they want to read to their bookshelf. Happy Reading!
Sample Questions Parents and Families Can Ask to Partner with Your Child’s Teachers and School
Parent partnership with schools is key to supporting students’ academic success and overall wellbeing. The questions in this resource can help guide families during their back-to-school conversations with teachers and other school staff, support building family/school partnerships, and help lay the foundation for students' success. These questions focus on building strong relationships between families and schools, sustaining two-way communication, and structuring support for students between home and school.
Decision-Making & Accessible Formats
Did you know that special education and civil rights laws guarantee access to education and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities? As a result, states, school districts, universities, and career training agencies are obligated to provide accessible formats to individuals with disabilities who need them.
Are you unsure of what actions need to be taken so that learners who need accessible formats receive them promptly? Check out Decision-Making & Accessible Formats.
Email the National Center on Accessible Education Materials at aem@cast.org for support.
The What and Why of the Statement of Services and Aids
The PROGRESS Center recently released a new course, The What and Why of the Statement of Services and Aids, that explains the IDEA requirements for the statement of services and aids, the critical role of the statement of services and aids in the development of a high-quality IEP, and how to differentiate between specially designed instruction, related services, supplementary aids and services, and program modifications and supports.
This course can be used as a self-paced learning opportunity, within in-service professional learning, or by faculty supporting preservice educators and/or administrators. It is part of a larger series of courses covering IEP components. Additional courses in the series will be added over time.
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