The Scoop
Special Services Update - February 27, 2023
Communication, The Scoop & You!
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.
This week is PACKED FULL of information, so be sure and read it through! Have a great week!
~Keri
Recap of Last Issue:
Be sure and look back if needed for any information on:
- AAC integrated into the home environment. Check it out HERE
- Superintendents Fun Run
- Golf is Coming Up and So is Spring Respite... get these great events on your calendar.
Superintendent's Fun Run
Dismissal IEP Meeting Process
If a student undergoes a re-evaluation and may no longer meet eligibility (need for specially designed instruction), an Annual ARD Meeting must be held to consider the recommendation of the Full Individual Evaluation prior to dismissing the student from Special Education services.
Processing a Dismissal ARD:
- Complete DNQ Report from ARD Forms, change SPED Status to Does Not Qualify, and enter date of Dismissal and Reason on Student Status page in ARD Forms.
- Archive ARD within 24 hours of ARD.
- Turn in the DNQ Evaluation report, protocol folder and working folder, all together to Special Services within 5 school days.
When printing/archiving an IEP Meeting that is a dismissal, please select the “Does Not Quality” report.
Turning in Evaluation Folders
The only things that need to be included in the folder are documents that are not electronically saved or a document that is not housed somewhere else (i.e. Cumulative Folder).
Please send your evaluation folders to your PEIMS clerk and adhere to the following:
1. Need to be in a folder (if not it will be returned)
2. All protocols must have student’s legal first and last name and/or ID number
3. Need to include: Last Name, First Name; DOB, ID number, & School Year on the folder tab
4. Send in each month; do not send in bulk
Archiving IEP's.
Please remind Case Managers that they MUST share through esped all completed IEPs to all stakeholders each time there is a final meeting to ensure our IEP guarantee.
Best Practices for Informed Consent
- The professional obtaining informed consent is qualified to answer questions and fully explain the information on the consent form and the special education evaluation process/procedures or services.
- Best practice is to obtain informed consent through a face-to-face meeting. If this is not possible, explain the proposed evaluation or services through a phone conference or virtual meeting with the parent/guardian or adult student.
- The responsibility for obtaining informed consent is not met by simply sending paperwork home for the parent to sign.
- Informed consent must be obtained from a person legally authorized to give consent (i.e., parent, guardian, adult student, or others in special circumstances).
- Informed consent requires an actual signature, not just an agreement.
Purpose and goals of child find, evaluation, and ARD supports network (no date) Child Find, Evaluation, and ARD Supports Network. Available at: https://childfindtx.tea.texas.gov/index.html (Accessed: February 24, 2023).
Scheduling IEP Meetings
At a minimum, the Diagnostician (Diag) and Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) will meet with their campus administration or designee at the beginning of each semester to schedule all known annual IEP meetings for that semester. Once an ARD is scheduled, the Diag or SLP will create an appointment and include all school-based members plus the designated PEIMS clerk. A minimum of two weeks prior to the appointment, the PEIMS clerk will complete the meeting notice. The PEIMS clerk will mail the notice and make reminder phone calls. For revision meetings, the Diag or SLP need to complete the first page of the notice, two weeks prior to the meeting, and include the PEIMS clerk on the calendar invite.
ADHD Presentation
Annual Impact Event
GameChanger Challenges for the Week
We are TISD GameChangers!!! Here's to a great 2023 being a year of positive change we can make for others!
Let's make these two weeks prior to spring break count! We all have the ability to make an impact on young (and not so young) lives, let's make sure it's a positive one!
Points may be earned this week... 5 points to everyone who emails me, with the subject line "SCOOP points" with the following: information
- Team Name
- 3 top things one must do when processing a DNQ IEP
- 4 things one must do when turning in evaluation/protocol folders
- What must you do after you archive an IEP?
- One fact about Informed consent
- One fact about scheduling IEP meetings
max of 10 points per team.
IEP - Technical Guidance by TEA... HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!
The TEA posted an updated Technical Guidance: Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development (February 2023) document at:
- TEA website: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/special-education/tea-special-education-guidance
- Direct link to the document: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/iep-development-2-16-23.pdf
The document has some updates and one added section, Measurable Goals in Practice. I included the updates below.
Section Change
When and where is the IEP developed New paragraph added
Who are the REQUIRED MEMBERS at the ARD Committee meeting? New notes added
Identification and Eligibility Overview Updated graphic
What should a PLAAFP include? Best practice tip added
Where can I learn more about how to develop a meaningful PLAAFP? Updated resources listed
What are the four critical components of a measurable goal? Format updated
Measurable Goals in Practice New section added
How Progress Will Be Measured Best practices tips added
Frequency for Reporting the Student’s Progress to Parents/Guardians New resources added
Special Education New resource added
Assistive Technology Texas 4-Step AT Consideration Model added
Frequency, Duration, and Location of Services New resource added
Instructional Arrangements and Placement (Least Restrictive Environment) Format of graphic updated
LRE and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) New resources added
Accelerated Instruction (AI) and Intensive Program of Instruction (IPI) Section updated
Requirements for a student who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) Section updated
Requirements for a Student Attending the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) or the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) Section updated
Requirements for Transportation New resource added
Requirements for Extended School Year (ESY) Services New resource added
Requirements for Behavior Improvement Plan or Behavioral Intervention Plan Section updated
Info shared with 504 Coordinators... IDEA DNQ's and 504....
- If the IEP Committee determines that a student does not qualify for Special Education services (student does not require specially designed instruction), the Diagnostician will communicate to parents interested in pursuing 504 that, “I will follow up with our 504 Coordinator and she/he will let you know next steps regarding 504 eligibility.”
TIP OF THE WEEK: Rethink discipline for students with disabilities
See article for tips HERE
Copyright LRP 2023
Upcoming Events
SPRING RESPITE
Saturday March 25th WE NEED YOU!!! If you are interested in working Spring Respite (8:30-12:30), please complete THIS FORM to sign up. Thank you in advance to those willing to help!!!
SUCCESS Golf
Friday, Mar 31, 2023, 08:00 AM
29519 Quinn Road, Tomball, TX, USA
Hand in Hand Expo
Saturday, Apr 1, 2023, 08:30 AM
1302 Keefer Road, Tomball, TX, USA
Challenge Day
Friday, Apr 21, 2023, 10:30 AM
Tomball Junior High School, Quinn Road, Tomball, TX, USA
Shout Outs
Jacy Warren - She handles her caseload thoroughly, manages her time beautifully and truly knows her students - especially in supporting the PASS classroom at NIS. Additionally, she has taken an evaluation and several ARDs to help at other campuses to help our team.
JACY - THANK YOU for all your hard work to support our students - you are a valuable member of our team!
Jessica Mueller - Mueller writes absolutely amazing FBAs, especially for our Early Childhood students. She has handled the increase in the number of evaluations with grace, thoroughness, and including well thought through recommendations.
Additionally, she has provided support to DPES when she can, is helping to take a couple of evaluations at DPES.
THANKS JESS for being such an awesome person and amazing LSSP!
Thank you to the WCES and NIS teams, Audra Arnold and Brianne Carberry for making sure campuses keep up with IEP meetings while awaiting for our new contractors to start! #TeamTomball #TISDGameChangers
Shout out to our amazing behavior team of Ann Le, Amber Naylor and Jennifer Sewell, with lots of support from Nancy Newton and our LSSPs as well for supporting campuses through behavior challenges. #TeamTomball #TISDGameChangers
Social Media: Twitter
More Information
Be sure and check out and read the other Smore Newsletters being produced by Student Support Staff:
The LIP Ledger - NEW
The Specialized Support Snippits - NEW
Behavior Bulletin - NEW