Special Education
PLAAFPs That Deliver
The 5-letter word special education teachers don't like to talk about!! This training provides information on TEA guidance and time to practice writing exemplar present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) narratives within sample student IEPs. We will focus on the different parts of the IEP such as impact statements, baseline data, strengths & critical needs, and more. This session will be valuable for teachers of both inclusion settings and of students with significant cognitive disabilities.
This session will meet at our Cleveland Campus on February 21, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
STAAR ALT 2: Preparation & Logistics
This presentation will include information about STAAR Alternate 2 participation requirements and the ARD process, sample items, accommodations, test administration policy, and instructional guidance for preparing students for the assessment.
This session will meet at our Cleveland Campus on February 28, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Perfecting Your Preview Window
This session is a must for teachers new to administering SA2 and/or veteran teachers needing extra time to plan for SA2. In this 1/2 day session, participants will plan out their STAAR ALT 2 preview window before test administration. We will cover what is allowable in the preview window, look at testing accommodations, adapting STAAR ALT 2 released tests, practice the script, and use different documentation tools to optimize the preview window. Participants will leave with a planned preview window to implement.
This session will meet at our Cleveland Campus on February 28, 2024, from 12:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Behavior: A Different Perspective
During this training, we will explore ways to foster safety, success, independence, and connectedness by using proactive and responsive strategies. We will also address how meeting these needs can impact behavior and lay the foundation for all development and learning. TSBVI’s Guidance for Planning Behavior Intervention for Children and Young Adults who are Deafblind or have Visual and Multiple Impairments will provide the framework for this training, although the material is not restricted to students with these specific complex needs. Participants will: Learn and understand how sensory differences affect social-emotional development Learn and understand how both development and experience influence human behavior Engage in activities that will reinforce proactive and positive strategies designed to reduce distress.
Rookie SPED Series Day 4
You've made it to Day 4 of the Rookie SpEd series! Round those bases for a home run. We will celebrate your success while discussing transition services and end-of-year procedures, along with incorporating your feedback about classroom routines and procedures to help you slide into summer.
This session will meet on March 6, 2024 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at our Cleveland Street Campus
SPED Self Assessment Training
This training is intended to prepare and assist districts in learning about and engaging in the Special Education Self-Assessment process. In this training we will outline; the Differentiated Monitoring and Support system, Self-Assessment process, as well as instructions on how to complete the Self-Assessment.
This virtual session will meet on March 6, 2024
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Sensory Regulation and Autism
Join us as we explore the unique sensory challenges faced by people on the autism spectrum and discover effective strategies for promoting comfort, self-regulation, and overall well-being.
This virtual session will meet on March 7, 2024
from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Getting Ready for Reading by Design ‐ Introduction to Volume 0
This class is part of a series of Reading by Design intervention trainings. This course will introduce participants to Volume 0‐ Getting Ready for Reading by Design, a volume of 20 lessons designed for students who need extra support with foundational skills. This material is designed to support foundational literacy before beginning a program like Reading by Design. Lesson components include phonological awareness, alphabet, fine motor, oral language, and components of language. Participants will receive as part of this training Volume 0, an alphabet deck, a feelings poster, and a set of vocabulary picture cards.
This session will meet on March 21, 2024
from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Transition 101
The purpose of this training is to equip educators with the information and tools needed to provide transition services to the students they serve. By the end of this training participants will be able to appropriately identify transition assessments for a variety of students and understand how to use the transition assessment results to develop the transition plan, how to write postsecondary goals that support student’s strengths, interests, preferences, and needs, and will know the importance of a coordinated set of activities within the transition plan. Coaching for all titles will be available upon request for interested participants.
This session will meet on March 25, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at our Cleveland Street Campus
Transition: When, Where, and How to Start
TEA requires the ARD committee to consider transition planning no later than the students 14th birthday. This often means that middle school ARD committees are tasked with beginning the transition planning process for students. Join us as we discuss the requirements for ARD committees, available transition assessments, and considerations for transition planning with your students.
This session will meet on March 25, 2024 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at our Cleveland Street Campus.
TDA 5 - Screening for Dyslexia
Texas Dyslexia Academy 5: Screening for Dyslexia focuses on the universal screening process for dyslexia and reading development. The objectives for this course are: Understand the importance of early screening Understand the state screening requirements Define universal screening for dyslexia and related disorders Become familiar with guidelines for the administration of screening instruments Explore the interpretation of screening results Understand the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) requirements related to screening Understand best practices for ongoing progress monitoring
This virtual session will meet on March 26, 2024
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
TDA 6 - Dysgraphia
Texas Dyslexia Academy 6: Dysgraphia provides educators with foundational information about dysgraphia, which is a related disorder to dyslexia. In this course, participants explore how students acquire writing skills, what dysgraphia is, the identification process, and the provision of services for students with dysgraphia as outlined in the Dyslexia Handbook. The objectives for this course are: Understand the simple view of writing and the stages of handwriting development Understand the definition and characteristics of dysgraphia Understand the procedures for the identification of dysgraphia Explore instruction for students with dysgraphia Explore instructional accommodations and technology tools.
This virtual session will meet on March 26, 2024
from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Supporting Students With Autism and ADHD in the Early Childhood Classroom
More and more young children are being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism. They may be served in special education classrooms but the majority are educated in inclusive settings in general education PreK and Kindergarten classrooms. How can we best support the needs of these young learners and start them on a solid educational path in our Early Childhood Classrooms? Join us as we learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD and the impact it has on the education of young children.
This session will meet on March 27, 2024
from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at our Cleveland Street Campus
Ignite Early Teacher Success Conference
Region 16 Ignite Early Teacher Success Conference is designed to empower aspiring teachers who are preparing for a career in education. Our one-day conference will highlight a keynote speaker, interactive breakout sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Aspiring teachers currently in teacher prep programs will leave equipped with tools, strategies, and the confidence they need to thrive through their teacher preparation courses, setting them on a path for long-term success in the field of education.
This session will meet on April 2, 2024 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at WTAMU Downtown Amarillo
Impactful Behavior Strategies in the Classroom for Young Students
Have you noticed the increased amount and intensity of behavior concerns in your young students? Let's rethink our responses to the needs of our young learners. This session is designed to analyze and respond to the disruptive behaviors of PreK, Kinder, and 1st grade students in the classroom.
This session will meet on April 3, 2024 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at our Cleveland Street Campus.
Unlocking Potential: Child-Led Play for Children with Autism
In this session, we will delve into the significance of play as a vital developmental tool and how it can be harnessed to support children on the autism spectrum. Throughout the session, we will focus on the concept of "child-led play" — an approach that prioritizes the child's interests, preferences, and strengths, allowing them to take the lead during playtime. By giving children with autism the autonomy to guide their play experiences, we unlock their innate potential for creativity, communication, social interaction, and emotional expression
This virtual session will meet on April 4, 2024 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Deep Dive Into Special Population Review (DMS)
Over 15,000 students in Region 16 receive either special education or dyslexia services. To continuously improve district special program services, districts engage in cyclical review and dyslexia monitoring. Join us as we dive deeply into the monitoring process and its impact on the students you serve.
This session will meet on April 4, 2024
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
TDA 4 - From Child Find through the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Process
Texas Dyslexia Academy 4 is designed to build background knowledge about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and special education from Child Find through the ARD committee process. It provides information about core special education concepts such as Child Find, Full Individual and Initial Evaluations (FIIE), Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committees, and Individual Education Program (IEP) development. Participants will gain an understanding of: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Child Find requirements The referral process for an initial evaluation when a specific learning disability (SLD)/dyslexia is suspected Notice of Action-Prior Written Notice (PWN) and Notice of Procedural Safeguards Full individual and initial evaluation (FIIE) Admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee meeting and components of the individualized education program (IEP).
This session will meet on April 8, 2024 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Active Learning Principles and Application
Active Learning is an approach developed by Dr. Lilli Nielsen. Though initially this approach was developed for individuals who are visually impaired and deafblind, Active Learning has proven to be effective for a variety of individuals who have a significant multiple disabilities and are functioning in the 0-48 month developmental level. We look forward to you joining us for a dive into Active Learning and the experience it offers students to actively participate in daily activities and lessons.
This session will meet on April 9, 2024 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at our Cleveland Street Campus.
Surviving the Puberty Years: Awareness, Understanding, and Self-Help Strategies
Puberty is a confusing rollercoaster for many children (and their parents!), but when you have a child with special sensory, communication, or behavior needs, the puberty years can be especially challenging. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of ways to talk through this season of life with their child, encourage communication of needs and body awareness, and the critical importance of “safe touch” vs. ”dangerous touch”.
This virtual session will meet on April 12, 2024 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Standards-Based IEP Process Training for SLPs
In order to ensure increased achievement and access to the general curriculum for students with disabilities, an individualized education program (IEP) process called "Standards-Based IEP" has been recommended as a best practice for achieving academic goals. The focus of this session is to learn more about the standards-based IEP process from the perspective of the school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP).
As a result of this presentation, the participant will be able to:
1. Develop present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) that connect to the full and individual evaluation (FIE).
2. Draft measurable annual academic goals and short-term objectives/benchmarks that are aligned to state academic grade-level content standards.
3. Draft measurable functional goals and short-term objectives/benchmarks that support access to the general education curriculum.
4. Identify methods to measure and report student progress on goals and short- term objectives/benchmarks.
This virtual session will meet on April 19 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
TDA 3 - Considerations for EB Students
Texas Dyslexia Academy 3: Considerations for Emergent Bilingual Students provides a general overview of the unique needs of emergent bilingual students as it relates to dyslexia risk factors, identification, and services. The objectives for this course are: Understand how The Dyslexia Handbook, 2021 Update addresses emergent bilingual students Understand the process of second language acquisition Learn about the benefits of bilingualism Explore the various types of alphabetic systems that exist around the world Explore instructional programming for emergent bilingual students
This virtual session will meet on April 23, 2024
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Crossing the Finish Line
Transition documentation requirements and best practices for planning graduation and 18+ programming for special education students. Graduation requirements, PEIMS documentation, and ARD decisions that can impact the graduation plan and post secondary plans of special education students will be addressed.
This session will meet on
May 8, 2024 from
9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Surviving the Summer: Increasing Self-Occupancy Skills and Activity Engagement During Summer Breaks
Ready for the summer break? In this session, families will learn ways to increase their child’s self-occupying behaviors while minimizing boredom and over-dependence on parents. Additionally, visual strategies and stories will be shared to support vacations, special outings, and airplane/car ride trips.
This virtual session
will meet on
May 10, 2024 from
11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
SPPotlight Q1
Our SPP team is offering a 4-part quarterly series to explore the State Performance Plan (SPP) indicators in-depth, equipping attendees with the tools and insights needed for accurate and timely submission. Each session focuses on key SPP components, resources for data collection, and a comprehensive understanding of each indicator. Join us as we delve deeper into these critical areas, ensuring that every attendee is well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the State Performance Plan Indicator Submission.
This session will meet on
May 15, 2024 from
9:00 am to 12:00 pm.