The Scoop
Special Services Update - October 30, 2023
Communication, The Scoop & You!
Hello TISD #StarsofSpecialServices!! We have the roles of a lifetime to make a difference in so many lives...it's exciting to see your stories play out and and to see you #shine in your roles!
The Scoop is a place for you to make sure you are in the know and have all the information you need. You are responsible for the information in the SCOOP. If you need clarification, please reach out to your Student Support Specialist or me.
~Keri
Recap of the last SCOOP - See last SCOOP for full details...
- District Rezone Reset... visit our District Zone Reset webpage, the primary source for all information and relevant materials, during this process.
- Autism Grant & Parent Trainings
- Don't forget to get your FLU shot
- We made it to Snapshot!!! Great job everyone!!!
TEA Discipline Flowchart
TEA has updated the Discipline Flowchart for students identified or suspected of having a disability under IDEA. The updated Discipline Flowchart will appear in October’s Special Education Newsletter, which will be distributed on October 24th.
See the link below to the
Concerns with student progress?
When determinging student needs, always start with the evaluation, then look at PLAAFPS, accommodations and goals prior to discussing needed services and placement. This will help ensure data driven decisions and IEP fidelity.
Please review TISD’s process for considering a Change of Program or Supports. Please make a copy of this document which will help the team document and guide you through the process. In Tomball ISD we implement this process to ensure we are doing everything we can to support a student and ensure we have implemented the IEP with fidelity prior to making a change in placement recommendation.
Step 1– Campus Gathers Data
After all data is collected, the diagnostician will set up a staffing with the campus team. Remember this is an ARDC decision that must be made as a committee. Therefore, nothing should be recommended to the parents until we have completed the process.
Step 2– Staffing with Campus
Typical Best Practices
At least one revision IEP needs to occur before a change of placement is discussed.
Evaluation data needs to be less than 18 months old.
Maximum supports and services need to be put in place before moving to a more restrictive placement.
Students making adequate progress on goals should not move to a more restrictive environment.
New strategies, interventions, goals, etc. need to be implemented with fidelity and data gathered prior to consideration.
Step 3- Student Support
If the team has enough data and implemented the best practices, then share the Change of Program Placement data and staffing notes with your student support specialist. After your SSS reviews the data, he/she will follow up with the campus regarding the next steps.
Please reach out if you have any questions or need support! Again, this process is to protect our students and we appreciate your dedication to ensuring we make data-based decisions for our students in TISD!
Updates & Reminders for Accommodations
Tricia Baldwin will be joining us at our next Cross Talk to review Accommodations and updates for STAAR. Please review the below...
Updates for Accommodations
- Predictive spelling is now embedded in assessments in Cambium. Two devices are no longer needed.
- Text-to-speech is no longer available as spelling assistance for state assessments. Student will need to use one of the other types for STAAR.
- “Reading or Signing the writing prompt” is no longer an Accessibility Feature. Only students with Text to speech for Oral administration will have it read.
- An accessibility feature, “Using an Electronic device to monitor a Health Condition”, has been added in Frontline. Please make sure we are marking it for students who need it. This will allow us to have documentation when setting up rooms so proctors know who has them.
- Supplemental Aids: Blank Graphic Organizers are now allowable for TELPAS writing and speaking. It is the responsibility of the ARD, 504, or RTI committee to document if it is needed. The decision can’t be made by the LPAC.
Reminds for Accommodations
- Accommodations should not be added to documentation unless we have the data that shows it is being used routinely and effectively in classroom. If a teacher doesn’t have the data that shows an accommodation is being used and is effective then it shouldn’t be added to the paperwork at that time. Once the teacher has gathered the data then the accommodation can be added to the paperwork.
- ARFs should be submitted at least two weeks before the testing window opens. (March 19)
- When submitting an ARF, you must provide a rationale to why the student gets it. There must be data and documentation of what other accessibility features and accommodations have been used and that they weren’t successful. TEA is looking for Data.
- Diagnosticians will submit the ARF to TEA in Cambium. Test Coordinators can support. Once the ARF is submitted, TEA shares it with the District Coordinator to verify document is accurate.
- All ARDS must be completed two weeks before the testing window opens(not our testing date) for accommodations to be used for 23-24 assessment. If a committee meets after the deadline the accommodations will be for the 24-25 assessments. Please plan appropriately.
- February 1- STAAR ALT 2(Window opens on March 25)
- February 2- TELPAS(Window opens on Feb. 19)
- March 19- STAAR(1st Window opens on April 2)
Creating a Draft for an Annual ARD - Reminders
Free Trainings through the Autism Grant! Please share with campuses and sign up!!!
Title: Advocacy for Caregivers and Families (including Mental Health Support)
Presenter: Dr. Amanda Jelinek & Phuong Lien Palafox, CCC-SLP
When: Friday, November 3rd 9-11am CST
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/kmVjAFAT9U4kYPRu6
Title: Autism, Neurodiversity & Social Support
Presenter: Phuong Lien Palafox, CCC-SLP
When: Thursday, November 16th 9-11am CST
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/p4SDXBW5rSpm5r526
Information to Share with Parents on Available Trainings & Parent University Nights
Autism Grant Sessions:
Title: Advocacy for Caregivers and Families (including Mental Health Support)
Presenter: Dr. Amanda Jelinek & Phuong Lien Palafox, CCC-SLP
When: Friday, November 3rd 9-11am CST
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/kmVjAFAT9U4kYPRu6
Title: Autism, Neurodiversity & Social Support
Presenter: Phuong Lien Palafox, CCC-SLP
When: Thursday, November 16th 9-11am CST
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/p4SDXBW5rSpm5r526
Sessions will be scheduled throughout the school year and added to our Parent University webpage. Please visit the webpage for more details on sessions and what each session offers. All sessions are free to attend and are open to our Tomball ISD community.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Pre-K Experience
Thursday, November 2
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.| Tomball Event Center
Parenting with Purpose: Love, Logic, and Mental Wellness
Thursday, November 9
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.| Northpointe Intermediate School
Don't make assumptions during MDRs of students with autism
After a student with autism kicks a soccer ball during physical education class and harms another student, some members of his manifestation determination review team may assume he did it on purpose. They may think his behavior wasn't related to his disability because he doesn't usually lash out at others.
That's where having a diverse MDR team comes in. Relevant IEP team members who are part of the MDR process for a student with autism can help explore the student's background and provide context to better uncover whether the behavior could be a manifestation of his disability. The behavior may have occurred as a result of the failure to implement his IEP. 34 CFR 300.530 (e)(1).
Before any team member rushes to conclusions in an MDR, slow down and walk through these steps found in this LRP ARTICLE.
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
May District Conduct MDR 4 weeks after the 11th day of suspension?
An Indiana student with dyslexia received out-of-school suspensions during the 2022-23 school year. This article lists the dates and why the student was suspended. In this YOU BE THE JIDGE article, see if you can guess the courts ruling in this case.
Copyright 2023© LRP Publications
Getting the Ball Just Right
All Smiles for Bowling Challenge Day 2022
Look What I can do All by Myself
Upcoming Events
Bowling Challenge Days are here... come join us!
November 3rd is our Elementary event. CES, CFES, CPES, LES, RES, TES, WES, WCES, TIS will be the campuses attending this date.
November 10th is our Secondary event. NIS, OIS, CPJHS, GLJHS, TJHS, WWJHS, THS, TMHS will be in attendance on this date.
Upcoming Dates:
2nd Annual Superintendent’s Fun Run
APRIL 13, 2024
Nov. 6 - Exchange Day #1
Compliance ONLY - Vector Solutions
NOT in Strive portfolio
Nov. 7 - Exchange Day #2
6 hours of approved Exchange Credit in Stive Eduphoria Portfolio
May 28 - Exchange Day #3
12 hours of approved Exchange Credit in Strive Eduphoria Portfolio
- Check HERE for the rest of the year meetings for Special Services
SHOUT OUTS!
- Nancy Newton and Sarah Cato for doing a presentation for N2Y! They rocked it and got some great shout outs from the company and community!
- If you are a former TISD student and now staff and haven't received a yard sign, please see Sharon! We want to highlight you!
- Congratulations to our #ShiningStarsofSpecialServices!!!
- Rebecca Stuckey, Jeanette Guzman and Alicia Futch for going above and beyond for our students with staff shortages making it extremely difficult! We appreciate all you are doing for our students in Tomball ISD!
Tina Powell & Shannen Utley (EE Diag & SLP)
Dawn Turner (WCES & EEA Diag)
Alicia Garcia (WCES SLP)
Alicia Futch (DPES SLP)
Not pictured... Mario Henao (DPES School Psych)
Cathy Williams (DPES Diag)
Special Services All Stars of the Month!
Social Media: Twitter
More Information
Be sure and check out and read the other Smore Newsletters being produced by Student Support Staff
PLEASE remember to contact your student support specialist for all questions, concerns, or needs. Thank you in advance.
Student Support Personnel by Campus
Our Student Support Personnel are listed by campus on the link above. This will help ensure you know your student support specialist as well as other campus contacts.