Parent Coordination SHOUT OUT!
November 2017
Parent Coordination Network
Email: paula.perkins@esc9.net
Website: TexasParent.org
Location: 301 Loop 11, Wichita Falls, TX 76306
Phone: (940) 322-6928
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasparent.org
ELIZABETH ALVAREZ
PAM BUMPASS
DONNA HOLT
PAULA PERKINS, LEAD
Texas Parent Involvement Survey
Under federal accountability requirements (Indicator 8 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act), the state of Texas must report the extent to which schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for students with disabilities.
Hurricane Harvey Task Force on School Mental Health Supports
Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, and the Commissioner of Education, Mike Morath, recently announced the establishment of the Hurricane Harvey Task Force on School Mental Health Supports to mobilize the statewide mental health response in Texas schools impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The Task Force will work to ensure coordinated responses to the needs of public school and university students and personnel suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Click here for the full text of the press release.
Start Smart Texas Established
The launch of Start Smart Texas, a collaborative effort between the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas PBS, and the United Ways of Texas was recently announced. Start Smart Texas is a parent-focused initiative designed to work with families, community leaders, and schools to promote the role of parents in making any time a learning time. It is a component of Governor Greg Abbott’s Texas Public Elementary School Reading Initiative – Texas Readers – which was announced earlier this year.
Click here for the full text of the press release from TEA.
To learn more about the Start Smart Texas initiative, visit www.startsmarttexas.org or http://texaspbs.org. You may also access the Start Smart Texas Facebook page.
Six Practical Ways Parents Can Support Literacy
To access the PDF handouts and activities, click here.
1. READ, READ, READ
2. Once is Not Enough
3. Ask Questions and Dig Deeper
4. Target the Teachable Moments
5. Play with Words
6. Talk A Lot
Driving with Autism
Jennifer Allen spearheaded the Driving with Autism statewide initiative in Texas from the fear or her own son, Sam, driving. Jennifer engaged Sam in these efforts, as he was eager to use his life experiences with Autism to help others live as independently as possible. Through their advocacy efforts this past spring, legislation now recognizes Communication Impediment with a Peace Officer as a new driver license restriction code.
Jennifer and Sam's efforts in working with the Texas Department of Public Safety and in training Texas Trooper Recruits have led to a deeper understanding of what the potential challenges of a communication impediment might look like in a pull-over situation. As a result, the DPS has embraced and forged new paths for people who have communication challenges such as neurodevelopmetal disorders present at birth or those acquired through injury.
Sam is currently the spokesperson for the Driving with Autism initiative, and he will be soon featured in upcoming video training tools and marketing materials to be distributed statewide. For more information, visit the Asperger101 website or download a printable brochure.
Surrogate Parent Training
To serve in this important role, an individual must meet several criteria, one of which is to complete a training that has been identified to meet the minimal standards established by the Texas Education Agency. You may contact your school district or regional education service center for an in-person presentation or view the newly debuted online module by following these instructions. Presentation slides, brochures, and associated forms may also be accessed at the Parent Coordination Network website.
Plan now to attend the LEARNING FOR A 'CHANGE' summit!
Presented by the Statewide Parent & Family Engagement Initiative
February 5-6, 2018
Crown Plaza Hotel, Austin, TX
Featuring Cory Green (Monday) and John Wink (Tuesday)
For more information, visit the event website, hotel information page, or complete your online registration.
The Parental & Family Engagement CONNECTION
The November/December issue of the newsletter includes articles about Tips for Coping with Stress at the Holidays, Getting Involved in Community Service, Exercise and Nutrition, A Busy Parent’s Checklist, and Getting Involved in Your Child’s School. Read it here.
Special Education Values & Priorities Survey
Share your opinions on the Texas Education Agency Special Education Values and Priorities Survey.
This is a voluntary survey to help determine values and priorities regarding special education in Texas. Some of these statements may be goals educators are shooting for and may not yet be in place where you are.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Laurie Kash, State Special Education Director, Texas Education Agency
Parent's Guide to the ARD Process
Do you need to better understand the special education process and your procedural rights and responsibilities in order to be able to fully participate in the decision-making process regarding your child’s education? This guide is developed specifically with you in mind, covering all stages of student participation from early childhood intervention to graduation with direct ties to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act and Texas law. Click here for English and here for Spanish.