Parent Coordination Network
SPEDTalk Podcast
Check out this newly released podcast on special education ideas, information and resources featuring Amy Rogers (Region 9 ESC), Pam Humphrey (Region 11 ESC) & John Bullion (Region 12 ESC). SPEDTalk was created to elevate the conversation about special education by celebrating the people and organizations making it happen for kids with disabilities across Texas. For access, click on this link: SPEDTalk.
Understanding STAAR Scores
This parent portal provides parents with quick access to their student’s STAAR results, year-over-year growth information, individual student responses to actual test items, and even details like the student expectations covered by the items and wrong answer rationales.
STAAR reports for the April 2019 grades 5 and 8 Mathematics and Reading administrations are available online only. No printed copies will be sent. Parents can access their child’s results using a unique access code, which can be found at the bottom of their child’s STAAR Report Card. Parents can also view the assessment questions, their child’s answers to the questions, and correct answers and rationales. Additionally, parents can view their child’s performance relative to the campus, district, and state.
Click the link below to understand the STAAR report card!
TEKS Resource System - Parent Resources
- English Language Arts and Reading (grades K-12)
- Mathematics (grades K-12)
- Science (grades K-12)
- Social Studies (grades K-12)
- Spanish Language Arts and Reading (grades K-5)
- Spanish translated versions of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies (grades K-5)
View the search tool to select appropriate grade level(s) and/or subject area(s).
Each subscribing district utilizes the system differently. For questions about implementation in your child's school, please contact your local district.
School-Family Partnership Strategy Follow-Up
The spring School-Family Partnership Strategy webinars, in collaboration with the Right Question Institute, for both educators and parents, are now archived on the Texas Parent website. These may be accessed at any time.
As a result of these webinars, a Texas-based educator has been featured nationally on the Right Question Institute's blog and newsletter. Lizet Casas of San Antonio ISD talks about her experience using the Question Formulation Technique.
SpedTex Video Gallery for Parents
Parent support and involvement makes a positive difference by elevating student academic performance and increasing achievements. Explore these resource pages to discover ways in which you can get support and be involved in your student's education. Be sure to check out the newest video: Know Your Rights.
Developing High-Quality IEPs - A New IRIS Module
You may have heard about the U.S. Supreme Court case Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District(2017). You may also know that the Endrew ruling had “something to do with IEPs” but aren’t exactly sure what. You may have even read that the ruling clarified the substantive standard for determining whether a student’s individualized education program (IEP) is sufficient to confer educational benefit for a student with a disability. But what exactly does that mean? More importantly, how does this ruling affect the way that IEPs should be developed and implemented?
A new interactive learning module from IRIS, IEPs: Developing High-Quality Individualized Education Programs is designed to help answer these questions and more. This resource explains the step-by-step process of developing high-quality IEPs, as outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and provides additional considerations in light of the Endrew ruling. No matter your prior knowledge level, this self-paced module allows you to start with only the IEP basics or delve deeper into many of the related areas.
The module takes about 3 hours to complete, and a Professional Development Certificate is available.
Texas Parent 2 Parent Statewide Conference
The two-day conference offers approximately 60 different sessions within several tracks including: advocacy, parenting and sibling issues, special education law, medical issues, behavior, mental health, parent leadership, resources and services, self-advocacy, and transition. Several sessions are provided in Spanish with interpreters available for other sessions. Through seminars and face-to-face networking, attendees learn from each other and renew their energy and passion.
View the conference registration page and packet by clicking on these links.
Parent & Family Engagement Videos
- Title I, Part A School-Parent Compact
- District Parent and Family Engagement Policy
- Campus Parent and Family Engagement Policy
THE PARENT & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT CONNECTION
As prepared by Region 16's Title I Part A Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative
The Fourth Quarter issue of the newsletter includes the following articles: Summer Meal Programs, College Checklists, Summer Activities, Summer Safety Tips, Strategies to Prevent Summer Learning Loss, and Parenting Advice.
Read it here in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. German and Korean newsletters are coming soon.
Impact
as published by the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota
Partners Resource Network
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PATH Project | PEN Project | TEAM Project |
Special Needs Summer Camps in Texas
The Very Special Camps website exclusively highlights camps that serve individuals with one or more of a wide range of special needs. Search this statewide listing to locate a summer camp or program based upon your child's needs and particular requirements and criteria. To see a full listing of Special Needs Summer Camps in Texas, click here.
Stop the Summer Reading Slide!
as published by Scholastic
FOR PARENTS
Many children, especially struggling readers, forget some of what they've learned or slip out of practice during the summer months. Try these strategies to help your reader improve reading skills during the summer and beyond:- Six books to summer success;
- Read something every day; and
- Keep reading aloud.
Click here for the full text.
Using Reading to Prevent the Summer Slide
as published by neaToday
FOR EDUCATORS
Teachers play an important role in helping to create a culture where reading is valued and given priority, even in the summer months. As educators, start with six simple action steps to encourage reading over the break:
- Read, read, read;
- Partners with your local library;
- Check out Scholastic.com and their Book Trust program;
- Give books as gifts;
- Set aside time at school for sustained silent reading; and
- Send encouraging emails once or twice during the summer.
Click here for the full text.
Need a ShoutOut! Translated?
Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter. A black bar will appear, and "Translate" will be an option.
Please note: There are some limitations currently, as users are not able to print in a translated language.