The Scoop
The Student Support Weekly Update - September 26, 2021
Dyslexia Updates
The highly anticipated new Dyslexia Handbook has been approved. Please see the below link for the changes.
Tomball ISD is preparing for the change by revising procedures, developing guidance and collaborating with CIA personnel to ensure consistency and clarity. The new changes will NOT be effective until 20 days following the finalization and release of the Handbook. We will be sure and update all parties with timeline for implementation of the new guidance when it is released.
Assistive Technology Tips for Students who are Hard of Hearing
Dr. Eileen Garza has created a Google slide with a video link and the YouTube channel link that describes how to hook up Redcat Towers for use with students with hearing loss. Please share with teachers who may have students that require this support. The information will be posted on Dr. Garza's AT video website in Edlio and in YouTube as well.
https://bit.ly/3lXbF2I Google Drive-Google Slides with link
https://youtu.be/J5RDrk36k5A YouTube Channel
Appraisal Guidance
Boardmaker and CAT Training Opportunities
Reminder for HB 548 (SELA)
Please remember any student who meets eligibility for AI or DB who is 8 years old or younger must be assessed following the HB 548 guidelines annually.
Overview: The 86th Texas Legislature acknowledged children who are deaf or hard of hearing are often at risk for language delay. As a result, legislators passed House Bill 548 last year to generate and monitor data on the language acquisition of children eight years of age or younger who are deaf or hard of hearing. With parents permission, our district will assess children who meet this criteria annually and share the results with The Texas Education Agency (TEA), Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and Texas School for the Deaf. The data collected from the language acquisition assessments does not apply towards special education eligibility, grades, or promotion to the next grade level.
Please review this spreadsheet and add to this list for for your campus. The guidance on procedures for Student Support Staff and Cy Fair RDSPD Staff is HERE. (links viewable only by TISD staff with appropriate log in). The students seen by an itinerant teacher from Cy Fair will have their evaluations completed by the Cy Fair itinerant teacher. That list will be emailed to Student Support Staff.
Opportunity to become a Diagnostician
Electronic Signatures - Please make sure to use this procedure for ALL future ARDS
Beginning Monday 9/27/21, Tomball ISD will no longer use the “Type It” function to obtain electronic signatures in Frontline/eSped.
Electronic signatures may only be obtained using the “Draw It” function. Each user will draw his/her own signature. If an ARD committee member is unable to draw his/her own signature, note participation under the individual name by choosing “NEW” for “Required Member/Participation” of the ARD signature page. Participation and agreement may also be noted in the deliberations.
To save time, users may wish to save a drawn signature under the “My Settings” tab in Frontline.
The guidance documents for ARD Preparation and Electronic Signatures have been updated to reflect these changes. These guidance documents are tied to our operating guidelines for Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee Meeting.
Please see picture for example:
YOU BE THE JUDGE
In January 2021, an Indiana district developed an IEP for a student with an undisclosed disability. A few days later, the parent requested that the district revise the IEP to add in-person social skills services. The district revised the IEP and promptly emailed the parent a copy of the proposed IEP. At no time did the parent agree to receive written notices of proposed actions by the district through electronic means.
In mid-February, the parent asked the district to remove online services from the student's IEP. The district revised the IEP, emailed the proposed changes to the parent, and revised the IEP again once it received the parent's feedback. The district also modified the IEP in March to specify that the student would work on oral social communication skills and emailed the proposed IEP to the parent that same day.
The parent filed a state complaint, alleging that the district failed to provide her appropriate prior written notice. Under the IDEA, a district must provide a parent PWN before it proposes or declines to change the identification, placement, or provision of FAPE of a student with a disability. 34 CFR 300.503 (a).
Did the district's actions violate the IDEA? Find out HERE
TIP OF THE WEEK: Steps to Take When a Student is Dismissed
When a student has been dismissed from special education services, please add this information on the ARD Forms application under the screen “Enrollment Dates” as shown in the picture below.
Following these steps will allow the correct end dates to enter into TDAS.
- 1. Add Dismissal of Services Date
- 2. Click “Terminate All Services
- 3. Wait at least 48 hours before changing the SPED Status from “Currently Served” to something else.
Stuff the Bus Success - Let us Know of Any Needs...
*Stuff the Bus* was a huge success! Funding is now available for any student in need, but funding has to be spent soon. Complete the request below if you know of an student or family that needs help to offset the cost of mattresses, glasses, co-pays, backpacks, shoes (add size), specific type of clothes (add size). No request is too small.
We have enough materials, I believe to last years, so we are concentrating now on non-school supply student-specific needs.
Student Support Shout Outs!
Jennifer Sewell - Jennifer is new to the Student Support team and in her first year in her new role as Behavior Coach, she has stepped up and has been teaching the Adaptive Behavior Class at WES EVERYDAY since the first day of school. We can't thank you enough Jennifer for filling in to ensure the students are receiving the services they need!
Be sure and check out and read the other Smore Newsletters being produced by Student Support Staff: