STAAR Alternate 2 Administration Enrollment Collection
Weekly Update 10.15.2015
TEA Information
STAAR Alternate 2 Administration Enrollment Collection
Texas Education Agency, October 12, 2015, To the District and ESC Testing Coordinators Addressed email outlines required district actions.
Districts must participate in the 2016 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) Alternate 2 enrollment collection process to receive the correct quantities of test materials for the 2016 April STAAR Alternate 2 administration. In order to determine quantities of printed test booklets and other testing materials needed for the STAAR Alternate 2 administration, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requiring district officials from all Texas school districts to review enrollment counts and update student information as needed for each of their campuses.
When students from multiple districts or campuses are instructed and tested at a central location, the district or campus where the student is testing should include the students in enrollment counts. This ensures that the testing location will receive enough materials for all students. Enrollment counts can be entered online in the STAAR Alternate 2 Assessment Management System beginning October 12, 2015, and should be submitted no later than 11:00 PM (CT) on November 13, 2015. Information about entering enrollment counts can be found in the STAAR Alternate 2 Assessment Management System User’s Guide, available at Contact Pearson’s Customer Service Center at 800-627-0225 or if you have any questions.
Richard Blair, Senior Education Specialist, Region 4 ESC State/Federal Accountability at 713-744-6596 or
For Your Information
HB 440 - Change in Education Code regarding Physical Education/Adapted Physical Education
HB 440 was passed and signed by Governor Gregg Abbott. The bill takes effect in the 2015-2016 school year. A change in wording to TEC 28.002 (d) (6) emphasizes the need for Physical Education to address all levels of physical abilities including every student who is disabled as described in Section 29.003 (b). Note change to TEC 28.002 (d) (6) in red below:
(6) meets the needs of students of all physical ability levels, including students who have a, chronic health problem, disability, including a student who is a person with a disability described under Section 29.003(b) or criteria developed by the agency in accordance with that section, or other special need that precludes the student from participating in regular physical education instruction but who might be able to participate in physical education that is suitably adapted and, if applicable, included in the student's individualized education program
The word “disability” was already included in this statute butis now defined to includes all students with disabilities who are served by special education as described in TEC 29.003(b).
HB 440 outlines the requirement for LEAs to meet the physical education needs of all students, including those with disabilities through an appropriate continuum of services and placement options, be it general education classes, self-contained classes and/or individual services or some combination. HB 440 does not advocate one type of service over another. The most appropriate type of adapted physical education service is based on a comprehensive evaluation and development of an IEP to address individual student need. Placement options are based on identified goals and objectives.
Additionally, Section 28.002(d) of the Education code continues to require that the physical education curriculum for all students, including those with disabilities:
- Emphasizes the knowledge and skills capable of being used during a lifetime of regular physical activity
- Is consistent with national physical education standards
- Addresses physical activity and, to the extent practical, provide moderate or vigorous activity weekly at least 50% of the time
- Allows for student choice among a variety of activities including cooperative and competitive games
- Takes into account gender and cultural differences
- Teaches self-management/movement skills, cooperation, fair play and responsible participation
- Promotes student participation in physical activity outside of school
- Allows physical education classes to be an enjoyable experience.
Contact Information: Susan Parker or 713.744.6398
IEP Goal Development in Texas – Updated!
The free online training, IEP Goal Development in Texas (PD150922-A41), has been updated. It is streamlined from the version released in May, with the information condensed into fewer pages, as well as some technical edits. If you previously took the version released in May, you can still access it and your certification in iLearning. If you have not yet enrolled in the new training, you will only see the updated version.The attached flyer has registration information.The training is a product of the Texas AGC Network and the Texas Education Agency.
Contact Information: Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. at or 713.744.6361
Region 4 Upcoming Professional Development
Paraprofessionals: Roles, Responsibilities, and Ethics
Identify and understand the roles, responsibilities, and ethical issues for paraprofessionals in bilingual/ESL, Title I, and inclusive classrooms. Topics include professional ethics related to confidentiality, responsibilities of paraprofessionals in teacher teams, and instructional strategies to support students in becoming independent learners. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 1158909
Date: 10/20/15
Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m
Location: MCC 202
Fee: $45
Contact Information: Tony Goedicke at or 713.744.6579
Co-Teaching for Administrators
Assist your teachers in obtaining increased instructional intensity in the co-teach classroom by gaining knowledge of highly effective co-teach components. Perform observations and discuss with colleagues the positives and challenges within a co-teaching classroom. Leave with common planning tools for teachers as well as a classroom walk-through tool to enhance co-teach practices.
Session ID: 1158897
Date: 10/21/15
Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m
Location: MCC 207
Fee: $45
Contact Information: Tony Goedicke at or 713.744.6579
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
Updates on State Assessment for Students with Disabilities
Attend this session to receive the latest updates regarding state assessment for students with disabilities. Participants will review the process for making state assessment decisions for students, including general education students, students receiving services through special education, and students served through 504. Review the current guidelines on STAAR, STAAR A, and STAAR Alt 2. Participants will receive the most current information regarding accommodations policies. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 1167771
Date: 10/23/15
Time: 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m
Fee: $45
Contact Information: Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. at or 713.744.6361
The Teacher and Paraprofessional Team: Enhancing Communication and Instruction
Explore practical strategies for improving communication, problem solving, and team performance. Topics to be addressed include leadership, team personalities, the team building process, time management strategies, and effective communication. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 115908
Date: 10/28/15
Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m
Location: MCC 103
Fee: $45
Contact Information: Tony Goedicke at or 713.744.6579
Co-Teaching: Taking Your Practices to the Next Level (Dr. Murawski)
Join Dr. Wendy Murawski, a nationally recognized expert on co-teaching and learn to expand your effective co-teach practices to produce greater instructional intensity in your co-teach classrooms than if only one teacher were present. Discover ways to incorporate and utilize common planning for co-teachers that will enhance units, lessons, instruction, and overall classroom management to increase your student's performance. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 1158819
Date: 10/28/15
Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m
Location: MCC 201
Fee: $45
Contact Information: Tony Goedicke at or 713.744.6579
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
Accommodations and Modifications: What’s the Difference?
Accommodations? Modifications? There is definitely a difference! Attend this session to learn what those differences are, how implementing accommodations and modifications in the instructional setting and on state assessmentmay bedifferent, and how to create universally designed learning environments that support access to the general curriculum for all learners.Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 1167754
Date: 11/10/15
Time: 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m
Fee: $45
Contact Information: Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. at or 713.744.6361
Updates on State Assessment for Students with Disabilities
Attend this session to receive the latest updates regarding state assessment for students with disabilities. Participants will review the process for making state assessment decisions for students, including general education students, students receiving services through special education, and students served through 504. Review the current guidelines on STAAR, STAAR A, and STAAR Alt 2. Participants will receive the most current information regarding accommodations policies. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 1167758
Date: 12/2/15
Time: 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m
Fee: $45
Contact Information: Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. at or 713.744.6361
Accommodations and Modifications: What’s the Difference?
Accommodations? Modifications? There is definitely a difference! Attend this session to learn what those differences are, how implementing accommodations and modifications in the instructional setting and on state assessmentmay bedifferent, and how to create universally designed learning environments that support access to the general curriculum for all learners.Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 1171168
Date: 1/26/16
Time: 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m
Fee: $45
Contact Information: Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. at or 713.744.6361
Structured Teaching: It’s More Than Just Work Systems, A 3-Day Series
Join this 3-day series to gain in-depth information on creating a structured classroom to support the learning and behavior of students with autism and other disabilities. During this professional development series, participants will learn 1) the principles and research base for structured teaching; 2) how to apply structured teaching principles to support students of varying ages and ability levels; 3) how to implement structured teaching in a variety of settings including special education classrooms, general education classrooms, and the community; 4) how to teach students to use structured teaching components; and 5) how to “re-structure” systems when students are not responding positively. Participants will also create materials, use these materials to practice implementing structured teaching in their classrooms through “homework” assignments, and receive feedback.
Session ID: 1164910
Dates: January 26, February 9, & March 8, 2016
Time: 9:00 – 4:00
Fee: $135
Contact information: Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801
Coping with Autism and Anxiety: Strategies to Support Students in the Classroom
Join this professional development session to learn more about the impact of mild to severe anxiety on students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). During this session, participants will gain information about 1) indicators of anxiety, 2) assessment tools, 3) interventions that decrease anxiety and enhance self-management, and 4) tips for addressing anxiety in the classroom. Videotaped examples will be used to demonstrate the strategies.
Session ID: 1156334
Dates: February 4, 2016
Time: 9:00 – 4:00
Fee: $45
Contact information: Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801
Use of the WISC-V in Cross-Battery Assessment and SLD Identification
Learn how to interpret the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children®-Fifth Edition (WISC-V) according to the CHC theory. Explore the strengths and weaknesses of the WISC-V and understand how to circumvent some of the most salient weaknesses of the cross battery to maximally exploit its clinical utility via the use of the X-BASS. Gain guidance on how to link WISC-V assessment results to education strategies and interventions that are likely to lead to positive outcomes for children. This presentation will also describe the pattern of strengths and weaknesses (PSW) approach to SLD identification and demonstrate how the WISC-V is used in the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test®, Third Edition (WIAT-III); Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement™, Third Edition (KTEA-3); and X-BASS to conduct a PSW analysis. This workshop will conclude with comprehensive WISC-V cross-battery case studies that highlight the use of X-BASS and the PSW model.
Session ID: 1152875
Date: October 16, 2015
Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m.
Location: Region 4
Fee $45
Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562
Ethics for Licensed Specialists in School Psychology
Examine ethical situations that commonly occur for individuals providing psychological services in the school setting. This session will review relevant rules of practice, ethical standards, and legal implications. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 1170412
Date: October 21, 2015
Time: 8:30a.m. – 11:30a.m.
Location: Region 4
Fee $30
Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562
Issues in Cultural Diversity for the LSSP
Attend this session to consider and discuss current issues in cultural diversity as it relates to the field of school psychology. This session will satisfy the annual requirement for 3 hours of cultural diversity training that is required by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
Session ID: 1170413
Date: October 21, 2015
Time: 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.
Location: Region 4
Fee $30
Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562
Functional Educational Evaluation Project
Explore best practices for using functional/non-standardized educational evaluation techniques that arenon-discriminatory and are administered in the student’s native language or other mode of communication to assess students with moderate/severe disabilities, including autism and intellectual disability, as well as low-incidence disabilities such as auditory impairment, visual impairment, deaf-blindness, and traumatic brain injury. Build skills to identify what the student knows, understands, and is able to do in pre-academic, academic, and vocational areas, and learn how to write summaries of the student’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance within a full and individual evaluation.
Session ID: 1138715
Date: October 22, 2015 (and December 10, 2015 and February 18, 2016)
Time: 8:30a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Location: Region 4
Fee $135
Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562
Introduction to the Behavior Assessment System for Children™, Third Edition (BASC-3)
Gain an overview of all Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3) components, including Teacher Rating Scale, Parent Rating Scale, and Child and Adolescent Self-Report Rating Scale. Changes to the rating scales will be presented as well as updates on the other BASC-3 components, including history taking (Structured Developmental History), observations (Student Observation System), screening (Emotional Screening System), interventions, and progress monitoring.
Session ID: 1155440
Date: October 23, 2015
Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m.
Location: Region 4
Fee $45
Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562
Assessing Adaptive Behavior with the Newly Revised Adaptive Behavior AssessmentSystem™, Third Edition (ABAS-3)
Attend this session to learn the newly revised Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3) to assist with assessment and identification of skills and behaviors related to how an individual meets his or her personal needs as well as how they deal with expectations from society and the environment. Participants will learn to identify the appropriate populations for the ABAS-3, to understand the relevance of the ABAS-3 in relation to the criteria for intellectual disability, to apply the principles of administration and scoring of the ABAS-3, to apply the three rules of interpretation, and to apply the results of the ABAS-3 scores to intervention planning.
Session ID: 1154137 Session ID: 1154141
Date: October 27, 2015 Date: October 27, 2015
Time: 9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.OR Time: 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.
Location: Region 4 Location: Region 4
Fee $30Fee $30
Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562
Bilingual Assessment Strategies for Monolingual Evaluators
Attend this session to gain a greater understanding of language development in English language learners (ELLs), to understand the instructional and intervention strategies that are appropriate for ELLs prior to referral and post-evaluation, to learn three comprehensive assessment strategies when evaluating ELLs, to learn to use various informal and formal tools (a variety of assessment tools and strategies), and to learn to use an interpretive framework that will help distinguish between language differences and language disorders. This session will add to the skill set of monolingual evaluators when identifying language-based disorders.