The Scoop
Special Services Update - October 2, 2023
Communication, The Scoop & You!
Hello TISD #StarsofSpecialServices!! We have the roles of a lifetime to make a difference in so many lives...it's exciting to see your stories play out and and to see you #shine in your roles!
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.
~Keri
Recap of the last SCOOP - See last SCOOP for full details...
- Free Sign Language Courses through Cy Fair ISD - Please click here for details in English and here for Spanish.
- Standards-Based Individual Education Plan (IEP) Process Training - to register: https://register.tealearn.com/browse/tea/network/child-find/courses/standards-based-individualized-education-program-iep-process-training
- Please see our Student Support Website for procedural and office forms and questions. The updated travel forms/mileage form can be found there now.
Department Goal MET - Unified Champions... Let's Go Bigger!!!
Unified Cheer at THS
Evaluation Requests and DHH
For students suspected of being Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH), please follow the guidelines listed in the Operating Guidelines posted on our website HERE. Assistive Technology full evaluations for hearing equipment are not typically needed as assistive listening device and hearing equipment recommendations should be made by the testing staff and audiologist. We do have a district audiologist who can consult if there are concenrs with any recommendations or needs. Dr. Garza, who oversees our assistive technology is also able to support the equipment management. She does not; however, make recommendations for that particular need as it would come from the testing staff and the audiologist to identify the classroom barriers and to identify what equipment would be appropriate to support the student.
Tomball Education Foundation Grant Application Open!!!
Tomball Education Foundation (TEF) is excited to support innovative classrooms through funding grant opportunities. Last year, TEF funded over $100,000 in resources to enhance classrooms. Special Services received two grants in addition to many special education teachers obtaining grants as well! In addition to reading applications and selecting grants, the Programs Committee is available to answer any questions regarding the completion of the application. You may contact them at https://tomballedfoundation.com/grants/
To locate the grant application, go to https://tomball.schoolobjects.com/forms/ and click on 2024 Innovative Grant Application.
Let's get some grants!!!
A Game Changer for Struggling Readers
Learning Ally is now providing two new incentives designed to help maximize the power of the Audiobook Solution - at no cost to your school or district! Make sure to sign up today!
- Learning Ally’s Texas Student Orientation: provides students with hands-on knowledge of how to use the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution. Students will explore how to search for age-appropriate books, add them to bookshelves, set reading goals, and begin reading.
- Learning Ally’s Educator Rapid Coaching Sessions: A 30-minute educator support class, a Learning Ally Coach will guide educators in a workshop-style environment through setting up educator dashboards, assigning books to students, and monitoring progress. Educators will have the opportunity to ask questions and get support. Limit 20 educators per session.
YOU BE THE JUDGE: Does a Delaware district need a parent's approval to relocate a student's program?
A Delaware district convened an IEP meeting for a student with a mild intellectual disability. The team determined that the student needed small group instruction in an emotional support program. During the meeting, the district team members mentioned the district's plan to relocate the program to a different school. The parent opposed the relocation but agreed to the IEP.
After the district relocated the emotional support program to the new school, the parent alleged that the district unilaterally changed the student's educational placement. The district argued that it only changed the location of the student's services; it offered the same services and opportunities for peer interaction that the student would have received in the previous school.
A district must ensure that a parent is part of the group that makes decisions about a student's educational placement. 34 CFR 300.116 (a)(1).
Did the district exclude the parent from the placement determination?
How the Delaware Department of Education ruled: The district's relocation of the emotional support program did not alter the student's educational placement.
The decision to move the emotional support program to a new school only changed the location of the student's services. In re: Student with a Disability, 118 LRP 9486 (SEA DE 02/07/18).
When the IDEA refers to "educational placement," it's not talking about the location of a student's services, the state ED explained. An educational placement refers to the student's program as a whole; it includes the type and amount of services he'll receive as well as his ability to interact with nondisabled peers. The relocation of an existing class to a new school does not amount to a change in placement if all other aspects of the student's program remain the same, the state ED noted.
In this case, the Delaware ED found that the relocation of the emotional support class had no impact on the student's IEP or the district's ability to deliver his special education services.
"The entire staff in the [emotional support program] relocated to [the new school], and [the student] continued to receive the same services and supports at [the new school] as outlined in the IEP," the Delaware ED wrote. The state ED thus rejected the parent's claim that the district unilaterally changed the student's educational placement.
A is incorrect. The team's discussion of the relocation did not change the fact that the district was only altering the program site.
B is incorrect. Because the district only changed the location of the student's services, the district members of the IEP team did not have to consider the parent's objections.
Editor's note: This feature is not intended as instructional material or to replace legal advice.
Amy E. Slater, Esq., covers special education legal issues for LRP Publications.
June 29, 2018
Copyright 2018 © LRP Publications
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Dates:
- October 2 - 8 is Dyslexia Awareness Week
- October 10 - 16 is National Braille Week
- October 15 - 21 is Safe Schools Week
- October 16 - 20 is National School Bus Safety Week
- October 23 -27 is Red Ribbon Week
- Cross Talk THIS Friday... see you there!
- Snapshot is Friday, October 27, 2023.
- Eric Paddy Memorial Disc Golf Course Grand Opening - October 14, 2023
- Check HERE for the rest of the year meetings for Special Services
Shout Outs
Tiffany Taylor has been an excellent addition to the Grand Oaks team! She is knowledgeable when working with advocates and picks up evaluations to help keep the workload balanced. I am so thankful to have her on our team this year!
Coach Marshall. He collaborated with one of our teachers at TES and assembled an activity for students to participate when they are in the motor lab. He did this on his own personal time.
Tina Powell is absolutely amazing! She sends the EEA team an email at the conclusion of each FIIE completed that has a summary of the date of FIIE, when reviewed with parent, the disability conditions for which the student meets disability requirements, and when the initial IEP needs to be held. These summaries are a much appreciated service - thanks Tina for coming back to Tomball and doing such a great job!
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
PASSionate about Kids - New
Behavior Bulletin - New
PLEASE remember to contact your student support specialist for all questions, concerns, or needs. Thank you in advance.
Student Support Personnel by Campus
Our Student Support Personnel are listed by campus on the link above. This will help ensure you know your student support specialist as well as other campus contacts.