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 Engel     (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 Engel       (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

    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 - Main Contact (Accountability/Residential Facilities)

    (254) 297-1163

    John Bullion
    (Charter Schools/Non-Public/Funding)

    (254) 297-1150

     

    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:

    John Bullion     (254) 297-1150

    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 Engel (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: 

    Teresa Chavez   (254) 297-1134



    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 >

     

  • SPEDTEX
    SPEDTEX provides information and resources that can help families understand their child’s disability, their rights and responsibilities under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and facilitate collaboration that supports the development and delivery of services to children with disabilities in the State of Texas.

 

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

Special Education Services
NAME
TITLE
PHONE
EMAIL
Special Education Liaison
(254) 297-1150
Secretary
(254) 297-1147
Assistant Director
(254) 297-1134
Education Specialist
(254) 297-1145
Education Specialist
(254) 297-1152
Director
(254) 297-1163
Secretary
(254) 297-1149
Education Specialist
(254) 297-1159
Education Specialist
(254) 297-1155
Education Specialist
(254) 297-1100
Education Specialist
(254) 297-1277
Education Specialist
(254) 297-1217
Department Assistant
(254) 297-1165
Special Education Liaison
(254) 297-1282
Page 1 of 1

  • 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.


    SPEDTex
    The Texas Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex) delivers answers to questions about special education to stakeholders across the state of Texas. Their purpose is to optimize information and respond with technical assistance in a succinct and useful format that is user friendly, culturally responsive, and accessible to all individuals. SPEDTex provides supportive state-wide leadership that promotes collaboration, meaningful communication and participation in the development and delivery of services to children with disabilities. 1-855-SPEDTEX (1-855-773-3839)


    Special Education Leadership Forum Dashboard
    This Special Education Dashboard is designed for efficiency when searching for Statewide Special Education Documents, Guidance, and Resources. It is structured in pillars of related content with hyperlinks for ease of access. Initially iterated as a tool for sped directors to spend less time searching for resources, it may also have potential utility with regard to professional development and supporting flow of information more efficiently throughout systems and organizations. 


    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.


    Special Education ARD Buddy
    This Dashboard is designed to demystify the ARD Process, empower the ARD Committee Members, and amplify state and regional special education resources. This tool also serves to personalize professional development and increase organizational capacity by supporting the flow of information more efficiently throughout communities, schools, and systems. If you would like to access this information on your smartphone, download the free “Padlet” app in the app store and scan the QR Code with the QR scanner in the app. When you “like” the Dashboard in Padlet, it will save the Dashboard in your Padlet App. For the Dashboards to show up in your “liked” section of the Padlet App you will need to refresh the App by closing it and reopening it.


    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 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.

     

    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

  • The Texas Education Service Center (ESC) Special Education 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

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 group is intended for early childhood educators. It will be used to provide information about training opportunities and state and legal updates. 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 >

School, Family, and Community Engagement
This group is intended for school, family, and community members to inform about training opportunities and statewide initiatives.  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 >

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 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 >