Parent Coordination SHOUT OUT!

The Parent Coordination Network is committed to ensuring that parents of students with disabilities receive accurate and timely information to assist them in making informed choices in their children's education.

Email: paula.perkins@esc9.net
Website: TexasParent.org
Location: 301 Loop 11, Wichita Falls, TX 76306
Phone: (940) 322-6928
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasparent.org

The Texas Education Agency has drafted an initial corrective action plan regarding the support and delivery of special education services in our state’s public schools. The initial draft addresses all issues identified in a recent federal monitoring report, including the proper identification of special education students and assuring access to appropriate services at the local level.

The full press release and draft plan are accessible using these links.

An integral part of the further development of the plan will be the gathering of input from stakeholders and other interested Texans. You may provide your feedback and input via this online survey or by accessing another forum as listed on this calendar. Let your voice be heard!

If you have questions regarding the process for providing feedback on the draft plans, please email TexasSPED@tea.texas.gov.

Visit the Videos & Modules page for access to trainings on a variety of topics from the ARD process to building stronger parent-teacher partnerships. Disability-related topics are also highlighted as are specific need- and age-based special education and related services.

Accommodation Central is your ONE, online stop for current information on supports for students. Here, you will find everything you need: appropriate accommodations, practical tips, deeper learning, and a secure connected community. Accommodation Center is a project of Region 13 ESC.

Accommodation Central provides quick access to accommodations that support student learning. Each accommodation includes a summary, brief description, examples, steps for implementation, and state testing allowability. We are adding multimedia supports such as pictures, videos, printable templates, and links for additional resources. The site includes a learning library for increasing knowledge of accommodations and related topics. Another unique feature of this site is the virtual community where users can share ideas and questions with other educators.

There is also an Accommodation Central Community app. Search for Accommodations Central on the www.mightybell.com website to obtain easy access to the information.

We’d love to hear from you! Join our Accommodation Central online community and share your ideas for additions to the site.

"The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children." Jim Trelease

Based on this premise, Trelease has crafted the Read-Aloud Handbook to highlight his research and ample information on the benefits of reading aloud and read-aloud strategies.

Parents, do you need age-appropriate book recommendations for your child? Teachers, could you better engage parents with FREE, printable resources that provide read-aloud materials and strategies for use at home?

The Read-Aloud format allows a child to sample the delights of reading and facilitates reading as a pleasureful experience, not a painful or boring one. For more information, check out the Read-Aloud website.

The Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University would like to offer training at no cost to parents and caregivers of children up to age 22 with core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents and caregivers will learn how to improve their child's communication skills. This service is provided by a grant project entitled “Autism Grant Program (AGP): Parent-directed Treatment," sponsored by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. For more information and to apply online, click here.

Exceptional Parent Magazine provides practical advice, emotional support, and the most up-to-date educational information for families of children and adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Click here to read the issue.

The February issue of the newsletter includes articles about Helping Your Child Through the Midyear Slump, Boosting Your Child's Self-Esteem, Maintaining Children's Health, Suicide, and FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Read it here.

Partners Resource Network is a non-profit agency that operates the federally funded Texas Parent Training and Information Centers - PATH, PEN & TEAM. All of the projects share the common purpose of empowering parents of children and youth with disabilities in their roles as parents, decision makers, and advocates for their children.

Chalkbeat and The Atlantic discuss the pros and cons. Read the full article here. What is your opinion?

In the January 30, 2018 Special Ed Advocate, as electronically distributed by Wrigthslaw, Parent Attorney Bob Crabtree offers advice to all the players of the IEP team. Read this series of articles to learn how to create more effective team meetings when parents learn to help the school and schools learn how to avoid confrontation with parents.

Check out this creative twist on Stephen Covey's bestseller, written by Chantai Snellgrove and published by Parent Special Needs Magazine.