Weekly Update 1.21.2016
Weekly Update 1.21.2016
TEA Information
SHARES Update
See the attached document for an update on SHARES.
Legal Framework Updates
The following frameworks have been updated.
- GRADUATION
- PRIOR WRITTEN NOTICE
- VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
Change documents for all three are posted in the Legal Framework authoring system through the administrator login under the Change Documents tab. Click on the Change Documents tab so that the framework menu appears. Access the document by clicking on the framework title. (If this is the first time this framework has required a change document since the new format was begun, the document will appear with a key that indicates what each color font represents.) If the box opens and dates appear, click the most recent date for the most recent changes.The change document will appear and it will have the key as well.
Weblink:
Phone | 432-561-IDEA (4332) /For Your Information
Inclusion Works! Conference 2016
Only a month left until the Inclusion Works! Conference in Houston, Texas at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on February 8-9, 2016. This year hosts many distinguished speakers and sessions including:
- MichaleYudin, US Department of Education -
- Dr. Paula Kluth,
- Dr. Lee Ann Jung,
- "State of the State of Special Education”Moderated by Ross Ramsey, The Texas Tribune,
Click Here to access more information about Inclusion Works!
Please join us by registering at the following link: IW Registration
We look forward to an educational and interactive two days! See you there!
Region 4 Upcoming Professional Development
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 ID: 1171168
Date: January 26, 2016
Time: 9:00AM-4:00PM
Fee: $45
Contact: 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
Using Assessment to Inform Literacy Goals and Instruction for Learners who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Become familiar with a framework for understanding literacy (i.e., reading and writing) learning and assessment/evaluation of DHH students. Training in the administrative and scoring procedures of a qualitative reading inventory will be provided, with a particular emphasis on maintaining the reliability and validity of this measure with a variety of learners (e.g., students using amplification, signed language, etc.). Participants will also learn how the results of the inventory and other literacy assessments can be used to derive literacy goals and objectives, as well as inform instructional planning. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 1159619
Time: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Date: January 28, 2016
Registration Fee: $45
Location: Region 4, Room 205
Contact Information: Marina McCormick,, 713-744-6329
Online: Using Assessment to Inform Literacy Goals and Instruction for Learners who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
If you cannot attend the above training in person, you can still have high quality professional development from the comfort of your classroom or office. Join us via webinar for this dynamic learning experience!
Session ID: 1219692
Time: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Date: January 28, 2016
Registration Fee: $45
Contact Information: Marina McCormick,, 713-744-6329
T.E.A.M.S. that Win: Effective Practices for Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Elementary Science - Grades K-5
“Teaching Engaging Academicsand MotivatingforSuccess” (T.E.A.M.S.)is a three-day professional development series that appliestheUniversal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) frameworks to content specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) instruction and classroom design. The series will be presented by a Region 4 collaborative triad whose expertise includes classroom management, access to the general curriculum, and science. Participants will be provided with effective research-based skills and strategies which address diverse learners’ access to the general curriculum. Knowledge and skills learned will support student achievement impacting STAAR™ success.
The three days will integrate classroom management strategies with the UDL principles of multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression.Classroom teachers are encouraged to build personal capacity by bringing a lesson which can be used to implement these strategies. Between each session, participants are asked to collect information based on implemented strategies.
District and/or campus teams (such as, but not limited to, general & special education teachers, behavior specialists, campus/district leaders, diagnosticians, and LSSPs) are encouraged to attend. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Session ID: 1167665
Date: January 28, February 23, and April 7, 2016
Time: 8:30AM-3:30PM
Fee: $135
Contact: Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. at or 713-744-6361
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
Transition Planning to Meet the Unique Needs of Students with Autism
Attend this session to learn how the unique needs of students with high-functioning and low-functioning autism impact the transition planning process. In this session, participants will 1) gain understanding of both federal and state legislation relating to transition and autism, 2) explore the strengths and needs of students with high-functioning and low-functioning autism, and 3) apply knowledge by practicing transition planning for students with autism through the use of case studies.
Session ID: 1143589
Dates: February 10, 2016
Time: 9:00 – 4:00
Fee: $45
Contact information: Karen Pepkin, , 713.744.4470; Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801
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 ID: 1201005
Date: 2/17/16
Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m
Location: MCC 104
Fee: $45
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: 1172257
Date: February 26, 2016
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: 1172264
Date: February 26, 2016
Time: 12:30p.m. – 3:30p.m.
Location: Region 4
Fee $30
Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562
Co-Teaching: Taking Your Practices to the Next Level (Dr. Wendy 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: 1177227
Date: 2/28/16
Time: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m
Location: Crown Plaza - Brookhollow
Fee: $45
Special Education Webinar – Visual Impairment Evaluations, Part 2
Emphasis in this session will be on identifying other eligibilities. Participants will develop skills in determining other conditions that may be impacting educational progress. Specific topics addressed will include presence of specific learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, and autism spectrum disorders. In addition, instructional strategies for these groups will also be discussed.
Session ID: 1176099
Date: March 1, 2016
Time: 10:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
Location: online
Fee $20
Contact: Kara Zwolinski at or 713-744-6562