April Special Education Newsletter

Texas Education Agency

April 2021

Special Education Newsletter

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 Announcements

  • Trending Topics in Special Education Monitoring: Issue 3 addresses common questions and compliance challenges identified through monitoring and can be found HERE
  • TEA and the Legal Framework are seeking feedback from novice, intermediate, and veteran users to inform the redesign of the Legal Framework website. This resource helps users find information regarding regulations and updates in special education. Users will also have to opportunity to sign up to participate in a focus group. This short survey will close May 4, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. and can be accessed HERE.
  • The Dyslexia Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) Coding Overview can be found HERE.
  • The Texas Deafblind Project and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired outreach department were recognized with a joint presidential award from the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Council for Exceptional Children Division on Visual Impairments and Deafblindness. They began Coffee Hours in March 2020 to provide professional development, resources, and training opportunities related to educating students who are visually impaired or deafblind to over 13,000 participants. Go HERE to learn more about upcoming Coffee Hours.

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 Upcoming Dates

TSLAT Summer Autism Circuit 2.0 applications open until May 1, 2021. Apply HERE

High Cost Fund Application closes May 15, 2021. More information can be found HERE

Self-Assessment deadline for LEAs has been extended to June 1, 2021. More information can be found HERE

Per HB548, LEA TSDS Data Stewards must submit data on language acquisition of children, ages 0-8, who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind by June 24, 2021. More information can be found HERE

Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) application window closes June 30, 2021. Apply HERE

 

Department News

Dyslexia: A TEA Professional Learning Course

This free course is designed for all campus and LEA staff members across the state who serve students in kindergarten through grade 12. This course meets the requirement for TEC §21.054(b) -  “an educator who teaches students with dyslexia must include training regarding new research and practices in educating students with dyslexia." 

Register Here

Three C's of Behavior Management: Connection, Communication & Choices

This free online, self-directed course is dedicated to ensuring a high-quality and evidence-based education for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. This training will examine behavior management through the lenses of connection/relationship, communication, and choices and provides 3 CPE credits.

Register Here

Supporting Early Childhood Transitions Quick Reference Guide

This guide provides tips and strategies to assist educators with supporting children and families during early childhood transitions. Topics include: establishing a supportive early childhood environment; promoting communication and collaborative relationships; developing a cohesive transition plan; and building self-determination skills. 

Find Guide Here

Working with Paraprofessionals Field User Guide

This guide provides information on how classroom teachers can define the roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals who may be working in their classroom, suggests ideas for designing clear communication channels and documentation practices related to supervision, and offers specific supports the paraprofessional can provide in a virtual setting.

Go To Guide Now

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