The Scoop
Special Services Update - January 24, 2022
Frontline Updates- Time Out Documentation and Updates to STAAR Screens and Reports
Frontline has released a new Time-Out Documentation screen. This screen can be accessed under the ARD Forms application, and will help the district fulfill compliance/documentation requirements related to HB 785.
Frontline has also updated the STAAR Screens and Reports to comply with STAAR redesign described in HB 3906. In general, any "Reading" column headers were changed to "RLA" and any "Writ/Eng" column headers were changed to "English". Any references to the writing, Algebra II, or English III tests were hidden"
A full description of these updates can be found in the release linked below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GTntZGtq_ZXTbmqG4gGZsDniUaG9Dza9/view?usp=sharing
The Dyslexia Handbook has Been Released!!!
The biggest change is that all initial evaluations for a suspician of Dyslexia should go through the Full and Initial Individualized Evaluation Process. Tomball ISD began this practice beginning our first day back for the spring semester 2022.
The updated version of the Dyslexia Handbook that goes into effect on February 10, 2022 has been posted on the TEA Dyslexia web page.
New Resource: Training Modules for New Special Education Staff
- Tomballisd.net
- Departments
- Student Support
- New Employee Resources
- Training Modules
Please share this resource with your new colleagues this semester.
SSES Notifications to be provided to all eligible parents
SSES notification letters in English and Spanish are included in Frontline under "ARD Forms", under the screen "Forms". Please begin to attach these letters to all special education students at annual ARD meetings.
This information was also sent to parents of special education students via Messenger. Please continue to encourage parents to apply for these funds.
Special Rodeo
Special Rodeo will be on January 26th from 8 AM – 12 PM at the Show Barn at Tomball High School. Please come out if you are able to that day!
If you have pre-ordered a t-shirt from Kalli, you will be getting these before the event! They were sorted by campus this weekend and will be delivered to campuses on Monday and Tuesday.
Please check with your campus program teachers for specific campus times. Hope to see you there!
You Be The Judge!
Do absences, unfinished RTI justify refusal to evaluate teen with failing grades?
The parent of an Ohio 11th-grader with ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder asked the principal to evaluate her son for special education and related services. The student had a history of disruptiveness and verbal altercations and unexcused absences. For example, he was absent for nine days and missed most of his classes. He had failed all his classes the prior school year.
The district issued prior written notice declining to evaluate. The notice explained that the district "did not suspect a disability due to a lack of intervention and excessive absences." The PWN also stated the district could not rule out lack of instruction due to attendance issues as the cause of the student's struggles and that it needed to collect RTI data.
The parent filed a state complaint alleging the district violated its child find obligation under the IDEA. The law provides that a district must evaluate a student if it has reason to suspect the student has a disability and needs special education and related services to address the disability. 34 CFR 300.111.
Does the district's decision not to evaluate violate the IDEA?
Click HERE to find out.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Ensure full committee participation by defining acronyms
We all know that public education, especially special education has it's own language of acronyms. ARD committee meetings are meant to be collaborative and involve input from all members. To ensure full participation, make sure to define any acronyms used and check for understanding.
Student Support Shout Outs
Cynthia Baird: TISD Physical Therapist, has supported students and families by finding creative alternatives for travel and transportation as well as going above and beyond by working with outside agencies and services to make sure our students are supported not just at school but all around.
Kathryn Bonds: Kathy continues to support an alternate role 5 days a week while supporting district processes and campus staff in her very few days not working in the alternate role. She continues to show determination and drive to support #TeamTomball.
VI Team: The team of professionals that support our students with visual impairments have gone all year without having their typical 3 days of support from a paraprofessional to make braille materials, enlargements, etc. for their students. They have made it work even with an increasing workload. We appreciate their dedication and drive for our students. We appreciate you and all you do!
More Information
Be sure and check out and read the other Smore Newsletters being produced by Student Support Staff: