Stay Connected & Informed
Special Education Family & Caregiver Newsletter, April 2021
2021 STAAR Testing & Special Education
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told the Texas Tribune in February that it is "logistically impossible to allow children to take the exams remotely." This leaves the only option for students to participate in the STAAR exam is to be present at school on testing day. Parents of remote learners who don’t believe in-person testing is safe have the option this year to keep their children home. “It’s not opting out of the STAAR test. It’s opting for remote education,” Morath said. So to sum it all up:
* Students continuing with virtual learning at home have two options for STAAR:
- Continue with virtual instruction at home and not participate in the "in-person only" STAAR exam this school year or
- Arrange to have your student at their campus to participate in the STAAR or STAAR Alt 2 assessment in-person on the designated testing date(s).
If you have a student in grades 3 - high school and you have questions about your student's participation in the 2021 STAAR or STAAR Alt 2 assessment, please contact your child's teacher or the campus directly.
We cannot thank you enough for your support throughout this very challenging year.
Sincerely,
Nicole
Individualized ESY Services
ESY is determined for each child with a disability on an individual basis by the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee (which includes you, the parent). ESY is for students who may lose important skills over the summer and may take a long time regaining those skills when school begins again. This is referred to as “regression/recoupment.”
If the loss of acquired critical skills would be particularly severe or substantial, or if such loss results, or reasonably may be expected to result, in immediate physical harm to the student or to others, ESY services may be justified without consideration of the period of time for recoupment of such skills.
ESY programs are not one-size-fits-all. The ARD/IEP team should be flexible when thinking about each student’s needs. Some children may only need to work on social skills requiring just a few sessions over the summer. Others may only need academic requiring just a few hours per day. Some may need a combination of both requiring full ESY program attendance.
2021 Extended School Year services will be available to students based upon their ARD committee recommendations during the following weeks this summer:
June 21st - 24th
June 28th - July 1st
July 12th - 15th
July 19th - 22nd
Refer to your student's Annual ARD/IEP paperwork or contact the campus special education team if you have any questions about ESY services this summer.
What is Autism?
Under IDEA, autism is defined as: .....a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engaging in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. Not every student identified with ASD is served in special education. The child’s educational performance must be adversely affected by these characteristics to be identified as a student in need of special education services. Many students identified with an ASD are successful with Section 504 accommodations or are able to successfully master grade level expectations with no additional supports / services.
Awareness Ribbon
The puzzle ribbon was adopted in 1999 as the universal sign of autism awareness. Although this image is a trademark of the Autism Society, the organization has granted use to other non-profit organizations in order to demonstrate unity and advance a universal mission as opposed to any individually held interests or promotion of a single organization.
Puzzle Piece
The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition. The brightness of the colors signals hope — hope that through increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention and access to appropriate services/supports, people with autism will lead full lives able to interact with the world on the own terms. As research continues, our hope is that each piece will come together until one day, we will understand the mystery of ASD!
Light It Up Blue!
Each April 2nd, Autism Speaks celebrates the start of its signature campaign, Light It Up Blue, along with the international autism community in recognition of UN sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day and April, World Autism Awareness Month.
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
Early intervention is key for students with autism. From birth to 5 years, children should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act and move. Track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.
CDC's Developmental Milestones (2 months - 5 years)
CDC's Indicadores del desarrollo (2 meses - 5 anos)
If you are concerned about your child’s development or learning, contact your local school campus if the child is school age. If the child is between the ages of 2 years 10 months through Pre-K and not enrolled in an Alief ISD school, contact the district's Child Find team using the contact information below.
Email: yaritza.gonzalesmejia@aliefisd.net
Website: https://www.aliefisd.net/Page/11467
Phone: 281-498-8110 (28715)
Autism Spectrum Disorders (Trastornos del Espectro de Autismo)
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_diFdkmCTSLOYqSEhb-67Tg
Tuesday, Apr 6, 2021, 06:00 PM
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Texas Autism Supplement
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ikjqLN6PQj2SNU8bl3TRmw
Thursday, Apr 8, 2021, 03:00 PM
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Realities of Autism (Realidades de los Trastornos del Espectro de Autismo)
This FREE workshop will provide parents, organizations and communities with a better understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We will explore signs and symptoms, who is affected, what to do when you are concerned, diagnosis, risk factors and causes, treatment categories, behavior and communication approaches, dietary approaches, medication, complementary and alternative treatments, research, facts and statistics, and economic impacts.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tjFddsEbTtuFYmQiBYFjWw
Friday, Apr 9, 2021, 12:00 PM
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Suplemento de Autismo de Texas
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A98f6QwkQN63Wie898ccRw