Searching for autism information on the web can be overwhelming. The word “autism” alone results in over 64 million and counting hits on Google. So, where do you turn to for the most relevant information and resources when there are so many different options? These are the top ten results: […]
Digital tools have the power to help students with learning disabilities communicate and gain confidence. It is a statistic that most Americans would probably be stunned to find is so prevalent: One of out every 68 kids in the United States is on the autism spectrum, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While it’s true that most children these days are considered “digital natives,” children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also find themselves most comfortable with a device in their hands. In an article for the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, author Kristie Brown Lofland notes [...]
What is an IEE? The language regarding IEEs is found in the regulations implementing IDEA. Specifically, the right to an IEE is defined as: “A parent has the right to an independent educational evaluation at the public expense if the parent disagrees with an evaluation obtained by the public agency. However, the public agency may initiate a hearing under Reg, 300.506 of this subpart to show that its evaluation is appropriate. If the final decision is that the evaluation is appropriate, the parent still has the right to an independent educational evaluation, but not at the public expense.” (34 CFR. Part [...]
A new “To The Administrator Addressed Correspondence” letter has been posted on the TEA website: February 26, 2018 TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED: SUBJECT: Responsibilities and Timelines Regarding Parent Requests for Special Education Evaluations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Texas Education Code (TEC), and the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). In late 2016, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) initiated visits to Texas to learn about referral, child find, and evaluation practices within the state’s special education system. On January 11, 2018, OSEP released a final monitoring report detailing its findings1 The purpose of [...]
TEA has posted some new documents at https://tea.texas.gov/TexasSPED/ that provide additional information. We have not reviewed it all yet, but would direct your attention first to the presentation to the state special education directors from their recent meeting in Austin - TCASE Special Education Update presented on 2/20/2018. It gives more information on their plans involving ESCs.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has extended the comment deadline for its online survey soliciting feedback on a draft corrective action plan for special education. The online survey period will now run through Tuesday, Feb.20. At the direction of Governor Greg Abbott, TEA drafted an initial corrective action plan regarding the support and delivery of special education services in the state’s public schools. The initial draft addresses all issues identified in a recent federal monitoring report, including the proper identification of special education students and assuring access to appropriate services at the local level. The survey, which is available on the [...]
