Special Education Services

Research-Based Support for Exceptional Learners & the Educators Who Serve Them

ESC Region 12 offers numerous programs and services to support districts and their Special Education staff with meeting the needs of students. This includes complying with state and federal legislative requirements, securing funding, and training Special Education staff and administrators to ensure that all their students have the opportunity to be successful regardless of special needs or disabilities. 

  • Contact:

    Stephanie Londenberg (254) 297-1155

     

    ESC Region 12 provides support to assistive technology specialists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, therapy assistants, and special general education teachers to improve outcomes for students whose special needs require the use of assistive technology.

     

    Training opportunities >

  • Contact:

    Cindy Kososki     (254) 297-1152

     

     

    ESC Region 12 provides professional development and networking opportunities in the area of autism for special and general education teachers, related service providers, and community agencies.

     

    Learn more >

    Training opportunities >

     

  • Contacts:

    Scott Perez     (254) 297-1277

     


    ESC Region 12 provides professional development and technical assistance in systems of support for students with disabilities in the areas of behavior and discipline. These systems include training in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), nonviolent crisis intervention (CPI), and restorative practices. 


    Training opportunity

  • Contact:

    Janeia Vorderkunz     (254) 297-1282

     

     

    ESC Region 12 provides expert assistance to parents, community agencies and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to assist with identifying children with disabilities. The goal is to ensure that the public and LEAs are aware that services may be available for students with disabilities from birth through the age of 21.

     

    Learn more >

     

  • Contact:

    Stephanie Londenberg  (254) 297-1155

     

     

    ESC Region 12 provides support to teachers, assistants, interpreters, and districts in order to improve outcomes for students who have been identified as deaf or hard of hearing. 

     

    Learn more >

  • Contact:

    Teresa Chavez     (254) 297-1134



    ESC Region 12 offers teachers and administrators specific training and consultative services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, and evidence-based practices in Early Childhood Education. 

    Learn more >

    Training Opportunities >

  • Contacts:

    Janeia Vorderkunz      (254) 297-1282

     

    ESC Region 12 provides professional development and technical assistance to districts in the area of facilitated IEP meetings.


    Training Opportunities

  • Contact:

    Konnette Koen     (254) 297-1159 

     

    ESC Region 12 offers teachers and administrators specific training, coaching, and consultative services in the areas of inclusion, accommodations and modifications, service delivery models, grading and progress monitoring, Standards Based IEPs, and effective instruction for students with specific learning disabilities.

    Learn more
    Training opportunities

    Learn more >


    Training opportunities >
     

  • Contacts:

    Cindy Kososki       (254) 297-1152

    Michele Craig (VI,DB)      (254) 297-1145

    Teresa Chavez (ECSE)   (254) 297-1134

     

     

    ESC Region 12 provides professional development and technical assistance to educators serving students with low incidence disabilities (severe and profound cognitive disabilities, medically fragile, and deaf/blind).

    Training Opportunities >

  • Contact:

    Teresa Chavez     (254) 297-1134

     

     

    ESC Region 12 provides professional development and technical assistance to parents, teachers, administrators, community agencies and community members, in order to improve the satisfaction of parents with a child receiving special education services.

    Statewide Parent Resources

    Statewide Webinars

    Surrogate Parent Training

     

  • Contact:

    Stephanie Londenberg  (254) 297-1155



    ESC Region 12 provides support to occupational therapists, physical therapists, therapy assistants, and personnel assigned roles in the provision of assistive technology in order to improve outcomes for students whose special needs require the provision of related services and in meeting the requirements of state and federal regulations.

     

    Learn more >

    Training opportunities >

  • Contact:

    Crystal Robinson        (254) 297-1217


    ESC Region 12 provides Response to Intervention (RtI) support through professional development, technical assistance, and direct services to district and charter school personnel in order to develop and maintain an effective RtI program.

     

    Learn More>

    Training Opportunities>

  • Contact:

    Crystal Robinson             (254) 297-1217



    ESC Region 12 supports districts and charter schools in their understanding and implementation of Section 504 requirements, designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, by offering professional development and technical assistance.

    Learn More>

    Training Opportunities >

     

  • Contacts:

    Chris Griffin    (254) 297-1163 

     

    ESC Region 12 supports Special Education leaders from each district, SSA and Charter School within the region, providing professional development, technical assistance, and consultative/professional services in the areas of SpEd leadership, compliance, and residential facility monitoring.

  • Contacts:

    Chris Griffin     (254) 297-1163

    Lisa McKinnon     (254) 297-1183



    ESC Region 12 provides technical assistance and professional development to all ESC Region 12 LEAs and Charter Schools, addressing eGrants, MOE, and IDEA funding accountability.

    Special Education Funding Live Binder

  • Contact:

    Stephanie Londenberg  (254) 297-1155



    ESC Region 12 provides support to speech language pathologists and assistants to improve outcomes for students identified with speech impairment (SI) and to meet the requirements of state and federal regulations. 


    Learn more >

    Training Opportunities >

  • Contacts:

    Karen Mayton (Logistics/Security/Accountability)      

    (254) 297-1227

    Chris Griffin (STAAR Accessibility & Accommodations)

    (254) 297-1163

    Cindy Kososki (STAAR Alt 2)

    (254) 297-1152

    Faith Foster (EL/TELPAS)

    (254) 297-1247

     

    ESC Region 12 provides professional development and expert assistance to educators in the area of assessment of students including those with disabilities, including allowable and appropriate accommodations, eligibility, and administration of STAAR, STAAR Alt 2, and TELPAS. 

    Learn more>

  • Contacts:

    Janeia Vorderkunz

    (254) 297-1282


    ESC Region 12 provides professional development and technical assistance to school districts to assist in meeting federal and state mandates while promoting knowledge and application of best practices in the area of student evaluation.

    Learn more >

    Training opportunities >

  • Contacts: 

    Monica Johnson   (254) 297-1158



    ESC Region 12 provides professional development and technical assistance addressing increasing graduation rates, decreasing drop-out rates, preparing students as they transition to post-school opportunities, and on compliance for State Performance Plan Indicators 1, 2, 13 and 14.

     

    Training Opportunities >

     

    Learn More >

  • Contact:

    Michele Craig        (254) 297-1145

     


    ESC Region 12 provides professional education and technical assistance to educators of the Visually Impaired and orientation and mobility specialists.

     

    Training opportunities >

     

  • The Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex) provides resources and interactive features for increasing family awareness of disabilities and special education processes, with the goal of improving partnerships between schools and families.

    Call: 1-855-773-3839 and/or click below.

    SPEDTex

 

*For specific services addressed, please click on the "Our Services" tab above.

Special Education Services
NAME
SERVICES
PHONE
EMAIL
Secretary/Support Staff
(254) 297-1147
Assistant Director, Early Childhood, School Family & Community Engagement
(254) 297-1134
Visual Impairments, Low Incidence Disabilities, Deafblind
(254) 297-1145
Director, Leadership & Compliance, Accountability, Statewide Assessment
(254) 297-1163
Transition, Graduation
(254) 297-1158
Secretary/Support Staff
(254) 297-1149
Special Education Liaison, Inclusive Services
(254) 297-1159
Autism, Low Incidence Disabilities, STAAR Alt 2
(254) 297-1152
Speech-Language Pathology, AT, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Related Services
(254) 297-1155
Dyslexia Services
(254) 297-1100
Behavior, Discipline, Classroom Management
(254) 297-1277
Response to Intervention, MTSS, 504, State Assessment Accessibility
(254) 297-1217
Department Assistant/Support Staff
(254) 297-1165
Evaluation, Child Find, Legal Framework
(254) 297-1282
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  • Legal Framework
    This service is to assist local district and charter school special education personnel in providing a free, appropriate public education to all students with special needs. Federal and state laws and regulations are emphasized in this process.

       

    TEA Special Education Webinars and Newsletters
    The Division of Special Education Programs hosts webinars on a regular basis to provide the most current information regarding special education in Texas. In addition, monthly special education newsletters are archived in the drop-down below and contain timely announcements, important upcoming dates, and recently posted resources from across TEA related to special education in Texas.

     

    TEA Special Education Guidance and Q&A Documents
    TEA provides technical assistance guidance documents that address several special education program areas and topics. TEA also provides some Q&A documents for some passed legislation and additional topics.

     

    TEA State Performance Plan Indicators (SPPI)
    TEA collects data from LEAs for the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR). LEAs are required to report data on sixteen State Performance Plan Indicators (SPPIs) identified by OSEP.

     

    TEA Review and Support Resources
    TEA provides resources to help support LEA's in understanding the Differentiated Monitoring and Support System. These resources include DMS overview modules, support using the self assessment, and development of Strategic Support Plans (SSP).

      

    OSEP/OCR Policy Letters and Policy Support Documents

    OSEP’s policy letters provide written guidance and clarification regarding implementation of the IDEA. OSEP typically issues these letters in response to specific questions raised by parents, educators, representatives of advocacy organizations, state educational agencies, early intervention programs and their providers, and other interested parties. OSEP also issues broader written guidance in the form of memos, Dear Colleague Letters, or frequently asked questions (FAQ) documents, as determined appropriate, based on information gathered through OSEP’s oversight of implementation of the IDEA by state educational agencies and Part C lead agencies, stakeholder-identified needs for clarification of the IDEA’s provisions, and needs identified due to new statutory or regulatory provisions or court cases.

  • Texas Education Service Center (ESC) Special Education Director Collaborative

    These modules are a joint project of the twenty Texas ESC's working together to provide training modules on special education topics that support new directors and provide consistent information across the state. The project consists of three types of training modules. Each module is designed to provide an overview of basic information and resources to access additional information. Module topics are below.

     

    • Special Education Spotlights: These are information modules that address topics referenced in the Timeline Topic modules in greater detail. These are developed by contributing Texas ESCs or reference Texas Education Agency materials.
    • Timeline Topics: Highlight time sensitive items on a quarterly basis.
    • Hot Topics: These modules are generated as needed depending on what is trending in state.  These are developed by contributing ESCs or reference Texas Education materials.

     

    Monthly Livebinder reminders can be found HERE.

     

    Special Education Funding Live Binder

    The purpose of the Special Education Funding Binder is to provide individuals responsible for special education with guidance on how to expand and account for special education funding in accordance with requirements.

  •  

    Transition Guides

     

    A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities

    This federal guide, issued by OSERS, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Office of Special Education Programs to advance efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to be engaged in the 21st century workforce.

     

    Pathways: The Texas Transition & Employment Guide to a Successful Life After High School for Students with Disabilities

    This state guide, issued by the Transition Network and TEA, assists students with disabilities and their parents in planning for adult life.

     

    Transition Guide for Students in Foster Care Receiving Special Education Services

    This guide clarifies the similarities and differences in the transition planning processes in the child welfare and special education systems. The guide also includes best practices and recommendations for improved coordination between systems to better support youth in foster care with disabilities during the transition to adulthood.

     

    Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook

    TEA designed the Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook to assist parents, school officials, and other interested parties with understanding TEA's special education dispute resolution system. The handbook is not intended to be legal advice. 

    TEA Dispute Resolution Handbook

     

    CRCG Referral Form

  • Non-Educational Community-based Support Services funding is annually made available to school districts for the provision of noneducational community-based support services to certain students with disabilities and their families so that those students may receive an appropriate free public education in the least restrictive environment according to the Texas Education Code §29.013. (PDF)

    The application for noneducational funds must be initiated and completed by the local education agency (LEA). The application process requires the collaboration between the LEA and Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG). Noneducational funds are available annually for noneducational services provided between September 1 of the current year and August 31 of the following year. All expenditures and payments for services must occur between those dates.

     

    Resources
The calendar above is maintained by our ESC/TEA Special Education Liaisons around the state. For more details, including how to sync this calendar with yours, click HERE.

email groupSubscribe to Our Email Groups 


*Our email groups are intended for educators in Region 12. Information is shared concerning upcoming sessions, opportunities for other professional development, and state and legal updates.

Autism & Low Incidence Disabilities
The Autism & Low Incidence Disabilities email group provides a variety of information and resources for those educators and administrators who are responsible for addressing the instructional needs of students with autism spectrum disorders in addition to those with Low Incidence Disabilities.  Join Now >

Dyslexia
This group is intended for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel who are interested in the education of students with dyslexia. It will be used to provide information about training opportunities and state and legal updates.  Join Now >

Early Childhood Educators
This email group is for early childhood educators with the Region 12 service area. Subscribe to this email group for information on upcoming training, conferences, and other events, as well as information from TEA regarding early childhood education. Join Now >


Evaluation Personnel
This email group is for educational evaluation personnel within Region 12. The listserv provides reminders of upcoming trainings, conferences, and other events, as well as providing information from TEA regarding special education and evaluation of students with disabilities.  Join Now >

 

MTSS/RTI
This group is intended for administrators, curriculum directors, instructional specialists and teachers who are responsible for implementing RTI and MTSS in public and private schools. Members will receive information about relevant professional development, timely information regarding intervention, and updates from TEA. Join Now >

 

Related Services 
This group is intended for OTs, PTs, SLPs, teachers of students with visual and/or auditory impairments, and assistive technology specialists involved in the delivery of related services and assistive technology evaluation and implementation.  Join Now >

 

Section 504
This group is intended for Section 504 coordinators, administrators, and counselors who are responsible for the proper implementation of Section 504 in public and private schools. Members will receive information about relevant professional development, timely information regarding 504, and updates from TEA and OCR.  Join Now >

 

SLP / SLPA 
This group is intended for SLPs and SLPAs, as well as interested administrators and coordinators, who would like to be informed of hot topics and upcoming events in the field of speech language pathology and related areas.  Join Now >

Transition/VAC 
This group is intended for anyone interested in the areas of transition and vocational support for individuals with disabilities. It will be used to provide information about training opportunities, current issues, and state and legal updates. Join Now >