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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:

    Michele Craig     (254) 297-1145

     

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

     

    Training opportunities >

  • Contact:

    Michele Craig     (254) 297-1145

     

     

    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:

    Terry Arndt     (254) 297-1199

     


    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. 


  • 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.

     

    Child Find Hotline: 254-666-0911

     

    Learn more >

     

  • Contact:

    Michele Craig       (254) 297-1145

     

     

    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 >

  • Contacts:

    Lisa Plemons (Instruction/Evaluation)

    (254) 297-1153

    Janeia Vorderkunz (Evaluation)

    (254) 297-1282

     

     

    ESC Region 12 provides professional development and technical assistance in the areas of identification and instruction of students with dyslexia and related disorders.

    Learn more >

    Training opportunities >

  • 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

    Mickey Edwards        (254) 297-1169

     

    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

    Kayla Daniel     (254) 297-1158

     

    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:

    Michele Craig       (254) 297-1145

    Teresa Chavez (PPCD)   (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.

    Learn more>

  • Contact:

    Michele Craig       (254) 297-1145



    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:

    Chris Griffin (SpEd)        (254) 297-1163

    Denise Bell (GenEd)       (254) 297-1227



    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 >

  • Contact:

    Lisa Plemons             (254) 297-1153



    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.

    Training opportunities >

     

  • Contacts:

    Chris Griffin - Main Contact (Accountability/Residential Facilities)

    (254) 297-1163

    John Bullion
    (SpEd Leadership/Accountability/SpEd Liaison)

    (254) 297-1150

    Mickey Edwards (Funding/Non-Ed Funds)      (254) 297-1169

     

    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.


    SpEd PBMAS Overview Video
    (updated 8/25/17)
    0:00 / 0:00

  • Contacts:

    Mickey Edwards     (254) 297-1169

    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:

    Michele Craig     (254) 297-1145



    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:

    Denise Bell (Logistics/Security/Accountability)      

    (254) 297-1227

    Kayla Daniel (STAAR Accommodations/STAAR Online/STAAR Alt 2)

    (254) 297-1158

    Dwan Pickens (ELL/TELPAS)

    (254) 297-1283

     

    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:

    Kayla Daniel (Main contact) (254) 297-1158

    Denise Bell (HB5)         (254) 297-1227

    Janeia Vorderkunz (LID & AU)     (254) 297-1282

    Michele Craig (VI)        (254) 297-1145

    Teresa Chavez (PPCD)   (254) 297-1134

    Chris Holecek (CTE)     (254) 297-1284



    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 >

    HB5 Foundation HS Graduation Presentation >

  • 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 >

     

 

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

  • 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.


    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.


    School Health and Related Services (SHARS)

    The School Health and Related Services (SHARS) program allows Texas school districts (LEAs) and shared service arrangements (SSAs) to request Medicaid reimbursement for certain health-related services. The Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee determines SHARS services. Services must be medically necessary and reasonable to ensure that children with disabilities are able to participate in the educational program.

     

    OSEP Toolkit for Youth with Disabilities in Juvenile Corrections

    This toolkit includes evidence- and research-based practices, tools, and resources that educators, families, facilities, and community agencies can use to better support and improve the long-term outcomes for youth with disabilities in juvenile correctional facilities.

     

    Targeting the 2% - Texas Gateway Resource

    This is a professional development initiative focused on improving instruction and outcomes for students who transitioned from assessments based on modified standards to the general STAAR®assessment. The site contains downloadable reading intervention lessons for grades K–5.

  • 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.

     

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

    This guide is 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.

     

    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. 

     

    Attendance Guidance (including SAAH)

     

    CRCG Referral Form


    Autism Parent-directed Treatment

    The Parent-directed Treatment Project is funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and hosted by Texas A&M University. Parent trainers will provide face-to-face treatment and/or online training for parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents or caregivers will be instructed in how to improve the communication skills of their own children. They are looking for parents or caregivers who have children up to age 22 with ASD. After completing the online application form, participants will be contacted soon.

  • The Texas Education Service Center (ESC) New Director Collaborative is 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:

     

    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.

     

    Each module is designed to provide an overview of basic information and resources to access additional information.

  • 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

September

  • Begin State and Local Budget
  • Run a line-item Budget Report, (All funds)
  • File Staff Schedules for all Sp. Ed. Staff
  • Establish which Staff will do Time and Effort and Scheduled reporting
  • Service Plans signed by private schools
  • Child Find Notices

email groupSubscribe to Our Email Groups 

 

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 parents, administrators, and teachers who are interested in the education of students with dyslexia. It will be used to provide information about training opportunities, current issues, and state and legal updates.  Join Now >

Early Childhood Educators
This group is intended for Pre-K and PPCD teachers to learn about upcoming trainings, current research and information regarding Preschool Children with Disabilities. 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 >

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 >

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 >

Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specialists 
This group is for Teachers who serve students who are Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specialists who serve students with Visual Impairments. Join Now >

Transition/VAC 
This group is intended for parents, administrators, and teachers who are interested in the area of Transition and Vocational instruction for individuals with special needs. It will be used to provide information about training opportunities, current issues, and state and legal updates. Join Now >

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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
New partnership with SuccessEd offers Section 504 solution to Region 12 schools
Fri, 26 Aug 2016
ESC Region 12 and SuccessEd, a software provider for educators, have partnered...Read more...
Electronic Books through new app under ConnectED initiative
Thu, 12 May 2016
From the White House's  ConnectED initiative,    co...Read more...
Specially Designed Instruction Webinar
Thu, 12 May 2016
The NEW Specially Designed Instruction Document has been posted to the PGC w...Read more...

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