Elgin ISD Special Education Dept
November- December 2014 update
Are You Ready for State Assessments??
STAAR SOA
What: This is a text to speech assessment which reads the questions and answers to the students.
When: This spring the test will be available for grades 4 (reading and math), grade 5 (science), grade 6 (reading and math), grade 7 (reading and math), and grade 8 (science and social studies).
Who: The students eligible for this assessment are in sped with reading difficulties, or Section 504 with dyslexia, or a student with dyslexia. Tutorials are available through Pearson Assessment.
STAAR- A
What: This is an assessment with embedded accommodations such as highlighters, eraser, pencil, notepad, ruler, pop ups, text to speech, color contrast, writing checklists, and roll overs all online.
When: This spring the test will be available for all subjects and grade levels including EOC.
Who: The students eligible for this assessment are in sped, or dyslexia and 504, plus meeting eligibility criteria. This assessment has no field test questions and you may mix tests between STAAR and STAAR A. Tutorials are available for grades 3-5, 6-8, and EOC through Pearson Assessment.
STAAR- Alternate 2
What: This is a paper and pencil test. Each test has 24 questions per subject area.
Who: It is available to students in sped with intellectual disabilities. TEA has indicated this population of students has an IQ less than 70.
When: Teachers will have a 10 day preview to make accommodations and a 15 day window to test all students. Due to our calendar we will have only 13 days between February 9 through 27. A combined effort between our Accountability Director and sped dept is ongoing to keep everyone with current information.
I appreciate all you do!
Check out these links. Share the knowledge! Help ease the minds of fearful teachers.
Practice tutorials for STAAR - A
http://texasassessment.com/administrations/STAAR-A/resources/
Practice tutorials for STAAR SOA
Elgin ISD Special Education Dept
Email: Sped@elginisd.net
Website: www.elginisd.net
Phone: (512) 281-9737
Dyslexia Requirements
The other tidbit is that we should now add dyslexia services in ARD paperwork. The frequency and duration of services must be indicated in the schedule of services. We will train sped staff about this requirement, but please also double check if you are in an ARD to mention this addition for students enrolled in a dyslexia course or receiving direct support for dyslexia. Thanks!
Here's a link to the Dyslexia Handbook FAQs: http://www.region10.org/interactive-dyslexia-handbook/c-q-and-a/c5-q-a/
Legal update-Bullying
Jim Walsh stopped by one of our Region 13 meetings to share new information on bullying. In addition to investigating the incident of bullying, ARD committees are required to hold a review ARD and determine (if the bullying was based upon the student's disability) was there a denial of FAPE. What does this mean? The ARD committee will need to see if the bullying had any effect on the student receiving an education--i.e. did you see a change in attendance or grades which could be directly attributed to the incident of bullying.
The ARD committee will not get involved in the general investigation of bullying. We just have to meet to determine if the reported incident was a denial of FAPE. Keep your sped staff abreast of any bullying issues so an ARD can be scheduled if necessary.