Weekly Update 9.3.2015
TEA Information
Indirect Cost Rate Extension: Further Information
On August 28, 2015, TEA published aTo The Administrator Addressed letter notifying LEAs of the procedure for requesting an indirect cost rate for school year 2016–2017.
The letter noted that if your LEA extended its 2014–2015 rate for more than one year (that is, beyond the 2015–2016 school year), your LEA already has its rate for the 2016–2017 school year. You need take no further action to receive an indirect cost rate.
How to Check Your Rate Extension Status
Follow these steps to determine whether your LEA extended its 2014–2015 rate to the 20162017 school year:
- Log on to TEASE.
- Select GFFC Reports and Data Collections.
- Select “View Reports & ISD Responses.”
- From the Report Title dropdown menu, select “Notification—One-Time Extension.”
- Select school year “2015–2016.”
Rate Extension in Place
If your LEA extended its 2014–2015 indirect cost rate, a one-time extension notification report will be available for school year 2015–2016. The report lists the date on which your rate extension expires.
- If your rate expires in 2017 or beyond, your LEA did extend its 2014–2015 rate to the 2016–2017 school year. You have an indirect cost rate for the 2016–2017 school year. No action is necessary.
- If your rate expires on June 30, 2016, your LEA did not extend its 2014–2015 rate to the 2016–2017 school year. You have already made your one-time request to extend your indirect cost rate. Therefore, to request an indirect cost rate for 2016–2017, you must submit an Indirect Cost Rate Proposal (ICRP). See the August 28, 2015, letter for instructions.
No Rate Extension in Place: Follow Instructions to Request a Rate
If no report is available, your LEA did not extend the 2014–2015 rates. Your LEA either submitted an ICRP to receive 2015-2016 rates or it did not receive a rate. To request a rate for the 2016–2017 school year, follow the instructions in the August 28, 2015, To The Administrator Addressed letter.
For Further Information
If you have any questions about obtaining an indirect cost rate for school year 2016–2017, please email .
Region 4 Upcoming Professional Development
The 4 Tenets of IEP Meeting Leadership and Facilitation – Modules 1–4 (Online) NOTE NEW 2015-16 Course Numbers)
Region 4, Houston, TX provides training and technical assistance and has developed resources designed to support implementation of ARD Facilitation at the local school level. The following trainings are provided online at no cost to participants to register. Each module covers a separate topic and takes 1.5-2 hours to complete. Participants may take one or all four courses.
1179036 / Module 1: Foundational Knowledge1179002 / Module 2: IEP Preparation & Planning
1179038 / Module 3: Problem Solving & Consensus Building
1179084 / Module 4: Breaking Through an Impasse
Region 4 online professional development catalog at
AAC Boot Camp
Learn evidenced-based practices for assessment, implementation and evaluation of effectiveness in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This beginning level course is designed for Speech-Language Pathologists to strengthen their assistive technology knowledge and skills. Discover and explore a range of low- to high- tech tools and strategies to support students with complex communication needs . This session will address current research, provide hands-on practice with a variety of AAC devices and analyze relevant case studies. Session and materials are partially funded through state or federal grants. Participants must attend all days for the full day to receive speech pathology CEUs.
Session ID: 1176661Registration Fee: $100
Date: 9.9.2015-9.10-2015
Time:9:00AM-3:30PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
Contact Angela Standridge at 713.744.6831 or
Achieving Authentic Communication with AAC: Making Real Connections (Saltillo)
This course will review elements of implementation to help participants achieve authentic communication with their clients. Participants will learn about communication, a complex multimodal process, involving the interaction of three elements: functions of communication, the environment, and communication partners. This will include a discussion about how to move beyond requesting and what to do as the communication partner. Additionally, participants will learn about the importance of creating communication opportunities, and how to do so for their clients. Examples will be used throughout the seminar and participants will have hands-on experience using several Saltillo tools to help clients achieve authentic communication.
Session ID: 1176645Registration Fee: $20
Date: 9.22.2015
Time:9:00AM-11:30AM
Location:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
Contact Angela Standridge at 713.744.6831 or
Nova Chat: Explore, Customize and Communicate (Saltillo)
This course will review and explore vocabulary files that are available on the Saltillo NOVA chat devices by Saltillo. Participants will understand vocabulary options and learn very basic programming related to typical customizing to get started. Participants will be provided with “hands-on” time to learn and customize vocabulary files and adjust settings to meet the needs of a client. Implementation tips and ideas will be shared.
Session ID: 1176646Registration Fee: $20
Date: 9.22.2015
Time:1:00PM-3:30PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
Contact Angela Standridge at 713.744.6831 or
The Journey from Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) to Intervention
Join this workshop to actively participate in an in-depth examination of the intervention process….the journey from functional behavior assessment to intervention development. During this two-day training, participants will 1) learn and practice a variety of data collection methods, 2) practice completing and interpreting a functional behavior assessment, 3) identify replacement behaviors, 4) write behavior goals, and 5) select research-based interventions. Participants are also encouraged to bring examples of behavior goals they have written and interventions they have developed to use as examples and receive feedback.
Session ID: 1077423
Dates: September 22 & 23, 2015
Time: 9:00 – 4:00
Fee: $90
Contact information: Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801
Exploring the TobiiDynavox Compass Communication Software (Tobii/dynavox)
Explore the TobiiDynavox Compass software. Learn how to navigate the various pagesets and how to set up individualized systems for students. This software provides a variety of pagesets to build innovative, flexible, and research-based communication systems. Pagesets are designed to specifically address the needs and strengths of individuals with complex communication needs. Additionally, the fundamentals of Word Power, developed by Nancy Inman, will be addressed. Participants will gain hands-on training to learn how to navigate and customize devices with this software. The variations in pagesets allow a best fit for your students’ unique communication strengths and needs as they grow, learn, and reach for their goals.
Session ID: 1185565Registration Fee: $45
Date: 9.23.2015
Time:9:00PM-3:00PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
Contact Angela Standridge at 713.744.6831 or
Vocabulary Builder: A Tool for Teaching Unity/Words for Life (PrentkeRomich Co)
This course will provide clinical and technical information on The PrentkeRomich Company (PRC) Vocabulary Builder. Vocabulary Builder is a tool available in 28, 36, 45, 60, 84, and 144 location sequenced Unity/Words for life on PRC devices. It quickly limits the amount of vocabulary available at a given time, while keeping the motor sequence of a word the same. Participants will learn ways to create support materials coinciding with Vocabulary Builder.
Session ID: 1179769Registration Fee: $20
Date: 9.24.2015
Time:9:00PM-11:00AM
Location:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
Contact Angela Standridge at 713.744.6831 or
LAMP Words for Life on the Accent (PrentkeRomich Co)
PrentkeRomich Company believes in providing single words for novel communication. In this three-hour course participants will learn about the LAMP Words for life vocabularies, programming, and customizing those vocabularies and basic implementation strategies. The difference between LAMP and LAMP Words for Life (WFL) will be discussed as well as the three levels of LAMP WFL 84 1-hit, 84 transition, and 84 full. The first segment will provide hands-on practice with the vocabulary. The second segment will cover customizing and adding words to the vocabulary. The third section will review basic implementation strategies to get someone talking with LAMP WFL on an Accent. A variety of tools and strategies for teaching WFL will be reviewed. Hands-on practice is encouraged throughout the course, so come prepared to learn and practice. Please note, this course is intended for those who are using the LAMP WFL vocabulary on an Accent product. This course is not for those using the LAMP WFL app on an iPad. This course briefly discusses the LAMP approach ( but it is not a LAMP training.
Session ID: 1179800Registration Fee: $20
Date: 9.24.2015
Time:12:00PM-3:00PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
Contact Angela Standridge at 713.744.6831 or
Motor Sensory Labs and Classrooms: Concepts, Strategies, and Applications for the School Environment
Do you have students who seem to hunger for movement and physical support? Ready Bodies, Learning Minds was created to support the developmental, motor, sensory, and academic growth of all students. The Ready Bodies Motor Labs are designed to be implemented as an individual activity, as a classroom center or activity, as adaptive physical education, or as part of a campus-wide curriculum. In this two-day training, participants will 1.) learn of the essential connection between motor/sensory development and the ability to perform tasks necessary for independence, behavioral control, and academic achievement; 2.) receive information regarding the research base for the program; 3.) see multiple demonstrations of lab set-up and activities; and 4.) practice lab activities. Participants will also receive the curriculum guide for the motor lab:Ready Bodies, Learning Minds: A Key to Academic Success©,Ready Bodies, Learning Minds Activity Guide©.
Session ID: 1143999
Dates: October 6 & 7, 2015
Time: 8:30 – 4:00
Fee: $90
Contact information: Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801
Shake and Bake 101: Introduction to Creating a High-Quality Structured Early Childhood Classroom (A 2-Day Series)
Have you ever attended professional development and left thinking, "This is great information but how am I going to do this in my classroom?" Join this 2-day workshop series to not only learn practical ways to add structure to your early childhood classroom, but also receive direct support to implement these practices. This series is geared towards those who want to learn the basics of how to increase structure in their classrooms. During this series, participants will 1) learn the components of high-quality structured classrooms; 2) identify an area in their own classrooms in which to add these components; 3) create the materials to be used; 4) receive direct instruction on how to apply these components in their classrooms; and 5) receive feedback following a period of implementation. In order that the workshop is as personalized and helpful as possible, participants will be asked to provide pictures or video of their classrooms and to commit to attending both days in the series.
Session ID: 1151645
Dates: October 21 & November 19, 2015
Time: 8:30 - 3:30
Fee: $90
Contact information: Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801; Kristina Parr, , 713.744.6350
Pivotal Response Training in the Early Childhood Classroom: Addressing Motivation, Learning, and Social Interaction
Do you have students who are difficult to engage in your early childhood classroom activities? Join this session to learn more about strategies that support the motivation, learning, and social interaction of early childhood students with autism. Pivotal Response Training (PRT) is grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis and developmental psychology and is applied in a naturalistic manner so that the strategies are more readily implemented in early childhood classrooms. PRT increases academic and social skill acquisition while at the same time decreasing challenging behaviors so that students can participate more meaningfully in classroom and inclusive activities. In this session, The Koegel Autism Center will present information on the principles of PRT, as well as relate the information specifically to the early childhood classroom through the use of student examples. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state and/or federal grants.
Session ID: 1151457
Dates: November 3, 2015
Time: 9:00 – 4:00
Fee: $45
Contact information: Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801
PODD: Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display Communication Books Introductory Course
This course will demonstrate the use of a Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD) approach developed by Gayle Porter (Melbourne, Australia). Generic templates for multi-page “light tech” communication books have been carefully designed to support genuine communication for a variety of functions throughout the day. These templates may be customized for a range of access methods and other individual needs. Participants will identify components of the PODD system; determine which PODD array is most appropriate for potential communicators; and demonstrate appropriate access methods for PODD.
Session ID: 1176188Registration Fee: $100
Date: 11.11.2015-11.12.2015
Time:8;30AM-4:30PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
Contact Angela Standridge at 713.744.6831 or
Special Education Leadership Series
In a leadership position for Special Education in schools in the state of Texas? Or want to be? Join us for five sessions throughout the year discussing topics such as: Legal Issues, Compliance, Leadership Skills including Effective Supervision, Team Building, Effective Communication, Collaboration, and Personnel Management, Fiscal Management including Budget Development, Managing Resources, Documentation, and Staffing. This session is designed for current and future leaders of special education including Coordinators, Supervisors, Seniors or Leads, and ARD Facilitators. All sessions will be at Region 4 ESC.
Session ID:1138717 / Time:
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM /
Date
9/30/2015
11/6/2015
1/15/2016
3/1/2016
5/6/2016
Contact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.922.6066 or
NEW OPPORTUNITY! ARD Facilitator Networking Meeting
New for 2015-16, a networking opportunity for ARD Facilitators. Participants will review legal updates, facilitation skills, and current topics related to implementation of TAC 89.1196Individualized Education Program(IEP)Facilitation at the local level.This networking opportunity is designed for special education staff who are serving in the role of ARD Facilitatorin districts or charter schools. All sessions will be at Region 4 ESC.
Session: 1170906
Date / Time9/11/2015 / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
10/23/2015 / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1/29/2016 / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2/26/2016 / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
4/8/2016 / 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Contact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.922.6066 or
Residential Placement Application Updates
A Local Education Agencies (LEAs)which intends to contract for placement of a student with a disability under IDEA in a residential facility in accordance with 19 TAC §89.61 must notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through the residential application process. The Application for Approval of Funding for Residential Placement is available through each Education Service Center (ESC). The application is to be completed by the LEA and submitted through the ESC to be forwarded to TEA for review regardless of the funding source the LEA intends to use. This session is designed to provide information, updates, and technical assistance to LEAs who will be completing the TEA Application for Approval of Residential Placement. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session: 1171245
Date: 9.29.2015
Time:8:30AM-10:00AM
Location:Region 4 ESC, 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77092
Contact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.922.6066 or
Noneducational Community-Based Support Services Funds Application Updates
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) under TEC 29.013 has established procedures and criteria for the allocation of funds to school districts for the provision of noneducational community-based support services (noned) to certain students with disabilities under IDEA and their families so that those students may receive an appropriate free public education in the least restrictive environment. The funds may be used only for eligible students with disabilities who would remain or would have to be placed in residential facilities primarily for educational reasons without the provision of noneducational community-based support services. This session is designed to provide information, updates, and technical assistance to Local Education Agencies (LEA) that choose to apply through their Education Service Center (ESC) to TEA for noned funds. Participants are encouraged to share information during the session regarding their LEA policies, procedures, and administrative processes related to providing noned funds. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session: 1171247
Date / Time / Location9/29/2015 / 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM / Region 4 ESC - MCC 104
7145 West Tidwell, Houston, 77092
Contact Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D. at 713.922.6066 or