DEPARTMENT NEWS
October is a special month! Not only is it National Disability Employment Awareness Month, but it's also Dyslexia Awareness Month. TEA has many resources to support educational professionals who work with students who have dyslexia.
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TEA Dyslexia and Related Disorders webpage: This webpage includes resources to assist in identifying and providing services for students with dyslexia and related disorders in Texas schools, including The Dyslexia Handbook and frequently asked questions supplement, Information for Parents flyer in English and Spanish, Dyslexia Allotment Spending Guidance, Dyslexia TSDS PEIMS Overview, and Overview of Special Education for Parents.
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Texas Dyslexia Academies Online Courses: This series of 6 courses covers: the elements of reading and what is dyslexia; The Dyslexia Handbook; dyslexia and emergent bilingual students; Child Find and ARD committee process for the identification of dyslexia; screening; and dysgraphia identification and instruction.
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TEA Dyslexia Online Course: This course is designed for all school and district staff members across the state who serve students in kindergarten through grade 12. The purpose is to empower educators to serve and advocate for students with or at risk for dyslexia.
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Guidance for the Comprehensive Evaluation of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD): This guidance document provides an overview of relevant regulations, educational disability condition elements, best practices, and special considerations related to the identification of an SLD, which includes dyslexia and related disorders.
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On October 22nd, LEAs were notified about their participation in completing the STAAR Alternate 2 Justification and Assurance Form. This form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CST Monday, November 25, 2024. For questions about completing the STAAR Alternate 2 Justification and Assurances Form, please contact the TEA Student Assessment Division using the Student Assessment Help Desk or emailing assessmentwaiver@tea.texas.gov.
Effective selection of Assistive Technology (AT) requires an understanding of the functional impact of a disability on a student’s ability to perform tasks. Explore the Texas AT Support website, a vast library of essential tools and support for educators to enhance learning for students with diverse needs. You’ll discover valuable information on how to integrate these assistive technologies effectively, including guides on selecting the right tools, training materials for both students and staff, and examples of best practices.
TEA is thrilled to announce the launch of the Strategic Integration Liaison (SIL) Project statewide this year!
SILs serve as a liaison between district leadership teams, TEA, and Educational Service Centers (ESC) for the purpose of improving and sustaining student outcomes through Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Inclusive Practices systems-level change. SILs are equipped to provide ongoing targeted support, systems coaching, and technical assistance to district leadership teams.
Our team of SILs launched statewide in August 2024 and is currently engaging in ongoing professional learning. SILs will continue their certification journey over the course of this year as they learn about Adult Learning Principles, Cognitive Load Theory, Executive Coaching, Aligned Systems, and Change Management. SILs are eager to start their work with school districts in their region in the Spring of 2025. We are excited to see the positive impact of the SIL project with Texas schools soon!
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Mandy Young, Special Education Technical Assistance Manager at the Texas Education Agency, will provide an informative presentation on Special Education Evaluations, designed specifically for parents navigating this complex process. She will begin with an introduction to the importance of understanding special education, followed by an overview of the legal framework and rights of parents and students. The session will review the evaluation process, including where to find eligibility criteria, categories of disabilities, and the essential steps involved. A case study will provide real-world context, highlighting a student's journey through the evaluation and emphasizing parent advocacy. Finally, Mandy will provide answers to frequently asked questions and valuable resources and support options for parents to empower them in advocating for their children. Parents and interested stakeholders are encouraged to register for this free event offered in English and Spanish.
The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program—formerly known as the Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program—is a one-time $1,500 online grant for parents/guardians of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school. Parents/guardians of eligible students can use the online accounts to shop the marketplace to obtain educational materials and resources such as textbooks, curriculum, or technology devices and/or services such as additional speech therapy, tutoring, or other specific services.
This school year’s PDSES application opens on February 3, 2025 at 8:00am CST and closes on March 31, 2025 at 5:00pm CST.
TEA has created resources for schools to help inform parents of eligible students, the PDSES Overview and a Customizable Letter. These resources can also be found in multiple languages on the PDSES Outreach Materials webpage.
To be eligible for a PDSES grant, students must:
- be currently enrolled in a Texas public school (grades PK-12th),
- receive special education services through an individualized education program (IEP), and
- have NOT received a Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) or PDSES grant in the past – PDSES is a one-time only grant.
For educators seeking effective ways to support students with varying exceptionalities, Learning Ally offers an easy-to-implement solution. Through a partnership with TEA, K-12 school systems in Texas have free access to Learning Ally's human-read audiobooks.
Learning Ally Audiobooks help educators address diverse student needs without the time-consuming research required to explore every available resource.
- To get started, Enroll for an educator account through the Educator Access Form and attend a free educator coaching session to set up your account and begin helping your students right away!
- Register for the "Spotlight on Dyslexia" deeper dive session, hosted by Dr. Terrie Noland, for valuable strategies and resources to better support students with exceptionalities. All educators and administrators are welcome to register and attend! These live “Ask Me Anything” sessions will offer valuable strategies and resources to help you better support students with varying exceptionalities.
Visit the Learning Ally Texas Website to register for coaching sessions and the Spotlight on Dyslexia event.
Ysleta ISD, one of the largest districts in region 19, had their dyslexia teachers participate in the Standards-Based Individualized Education Program (SB IEP) Process Training for Teachers in a face-to-face format. There were about 60 elementary and secondary educators that successfully completed the training and grew their skills. This districtwide training clearly exemplifies Ysleta ISD's commitment to ensuring ALL students can access and make progress in the general curriculum.
If you are interested in taking this training, visit Texas SPED Support and register for the asynchronous online course. If you are a district interested in your staff participating in a group training, reach out to your ESC regional contact to discuss your options.
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ESC Region 7 and the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in Tyler, Texas are doing great things for students who are blind and visually impaired. These two entities have partnered together to develop countless Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) events for these students, including a summer camp called Camp Lighthouse. During this five-day camp, high school students stay on the University of Texas at Tyler campus and participate in fun and educational activities around the community while making memories and creating lasting relationships. Students are literally immersed in ECC activities for five full days. They are practicing independent living skills as they learn to cook and clean for themselves in their on-campus dorm rooms. Orientation and Mobility is practiced as they orient themselves and travel both on campus and throughout the community. Social skills are also practiced as they meet and get to know other students with similar disabilities. Read more about the importance of ECC and events like these by clicking the button below.
We are always looking for ways to connect with our partners in the field!
From site visits, to review opportunities, to focus groups, there are numerous ways to connect with TEA and support the field of education. If you are interested in participating in engagement opportunities, sign up by clicking the button below.
TEA is looking to grow its pool of qualified monitors and conservators to help the state’s school districts and charter networks remedy issues related to governance, accreditation, academic performance, financial accountability, or other special investigations. Monitors, conservators, and management teams provide leadership, guidance, and support to school systems working to overcome historical systemic challenges and operate effectively and sustainably to improve student outcomes. Monitors and conservators are appointed, as needed, by the Commissioner of Education.
If you are interested and would like access to the job description, to recommend a colleague, or to apply for a monitor and conservator appointment by the commissioner, click the button below for more information!
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.
New Online Module from the IRIS Center and Bookshare
Bookshare: Providing Accessible Materials for Students with Print Disabilities is a self-paced, online module that can be embedded in educator preparation courses and school or district professional development activities. Learners can also earn a free professional development certificate of completion.
The module explores:
- Print disabilities and how printed materials create learning barriers
- Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) and formats that can address a wide range of learner needs
- Bookshare benefits, formats, and membership options
- Bookshare in the classroom
The module also includes:
- Examples featuring three students with disabilities: Gema, a ninth grader with a visual impairment; Thomas, a fifth grader who has cerebral palsy; and Liza, a third grader who has difficulty decoding printed words
- Audio interviews with experts, practitioners, and a former student who used Bookshare
- Videos of students with different print disabilities sharing their experiences with Bookshare
- Step-by-step instructional videos on how to assign materials and request resources not currently available in Bookshare
- Interactive practice opportunities with feedback
Breaking Barriers: Current Trends in Disability Services for Deaf College Students
The National Deaf Center released a new report, “Supporting Deaf College Students: Perspectives from Disability Services Professionals (2023-2024).” Discover how technology and the importance of equity and access are shaping the future of support for deaf students on college campuses.
OSEP Impact Story on Early Intervention
In "Making a Difference: Professional Development for Early Intervention With Children Who Are Deafblind," the National Center on Deafblindness shares why the center chose to create a module for early intervention practitioners, what makes it unique, and how it can be used to make professional development on this topic more widely available.
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