Weekly Update (6.16.2016)

TEA Information

Significant Changes to June STAAR Testing for Grades 5 and 8, Student Success Initiative (SSI) Requirements and Confidential Student Reporting Timelines

From the June 10, 2016 TAA Letter: As a result of ongoing reporting issues with the testing vendor, TEA will be removing student consequences attached to STAAR testing for grades 5 and 8 for the remainder of the 2015-16 assessment cycle. TEA is also modifying the requirements for SSI and the reporting requirements for Confidential Student Reports (CSR).  Cancellation of June STAAR Testing for Grades 5 and 8 o Given that June STAAR test results will not be required to be used for promotion decisions for SSI purposes and are not used for accountability, Commissioner Morath cancelled the June administration of STAAR for grades 5 and 8. o Students in grades 5 and 8 who did not perform satisfactorily on the March 2016 or May 2016 STAAR mathematics and/or reading tests will not be retested in June. TEA encourages districts to use local discretion to determine on an individual basis whether accelerated instruction should be offered in the applicable subject area for students who did not pass the mathematics and/or reading assessments in March and/or May. For the 2015–2016 school year, districts are not required to convene grade placement committees based solely on grade 5 and 8 STAAR results. Instead, you should use local discretion and all relevant and available academic information to make promotion/retention decisions for these students as you see fit, such as the recommendation of the teacher and the student’s grade in each subject.  Confidential Student Report (CSR) Guidance o Given delays in reporting, TEA is altering the start of the five-day timeline for sending CSRs to families. CSRs must still be distributed to families within five days, once reporting issues are resolved and final data files are provided to school districts.

TEA is moving as fast as possible to address any reporting concerns that are being identified. Expect further communication regarding revised timelines around score reporting for grades 3-8 and EOCs, and data file distribution in the coming days. If you need more information, please contact the Student Assessment Division at 512-463-9536. TEA Response to STAAR Questions for 5th and 8th Graders in Special Education

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides the following clarification regarding how the cancellation of the June STAAR administration for students in grades 5 and 8 affects students who receive special education services. In a To the Administrator Addressed letter dated June 10, 2016, Commissioner Mike Morath informed school districts that, as a result of ongoing reporting issues with the testing vendor, TEA will be removing student consequences attached to STAAR testing for grades 5 and 8 for the remainder of the 2015-16 assessment cycle. Specifically, the letter states that because the June STAAR test results will not be required to be used for promotion decisions for Student Success Initiative (SSI) purposes or for accountability, the June STAAR administration for grades 5 and 8 has been cancelled. The letter further states that, for the 2015-16 school year, districts are not required to convene grade placement committees “based solely on grade 5 and 8 STAAR results.” Instead, school districts should use local discretion and available academic information to make promotion and retention decisions for students.

Students who receive special education services are not excluded from the grade advancement requirements outlined in Texas Education Code sections 28.021 and 28.0211. In the case of a student who receives special education services and who does not perform satisfactorily on both the mathematics and reading STAAR assessments for grade 5 or 8, however, the student’s admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee (rather than a grade placement committee) is responsible for determining the accelerated instruction program for the student and whether the student will be promoted or retained. See Texas Education Code §28.0211(i).

Whether an ARD committee meeting should be held for a student who receives special education services and did not pass the mathematics assessment and/or the reading assessment for grade 5 or 8 during the 2015-2016 school year must be determined based on the student’s individual circumstances. For example, if the student’s academic information reflects that the student has met all other state and district requirements for promotion, an ARD committee meeting may not be warranted. If, on the other hand, the recommendation of the student’s teacher, the student’s grades, or other academic information raises concerns, the student’s ARD committee should meet to consider whether the student should be promoted or retained.

TEA has been asked whether an ARD committee must modify a student’s individualized education program (IEP) if it reflects that the student will retake a STAAR assessment for grade 5 or 8 during the June administration. Given that the administration has been cancelled, no students can be retested in June. If a student’s IEP contains information about retesting that is no longer accurate, the student’s ARD committee can revise the IEP in an ARD committee meeting or, alternatively, the school district and the student’s parent may agree to amend the student’s IEP in accordance with the procedures in 34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.324(a)(4).

Targeted Improvement Plans and PSP Reports - Due August 1

Because of the delay in reporting of Grades 3-8 STAAR results until July 5, 2016, the due date for completion of 4th quarter progress reports, as well as PSP 4th quarter reports has been changed to August 1, 2016. Region 4’s Accountability and Leadership Solutions has received written communication from TEA on June 15, 2016 confirming these changes. This is for ALL progress reports, including PBMAS district reports!

TEA estimates it will take 2-3 weeks for the change to be reflected in ISAM, but note you have until August 1 for submission of your progress and PSP reports.

Note these decisions do not affect DVM-Discipline staging submissions that are still due June 29, 2016.

At this time, special education students will be included in accountability based on the decisions in the Accountability Manual. The link to the accountability manual is http://tea.texas.gov/2016accountabilitymanual.aspx

If you have questions, please contact Richard Blair, Senior Education Specialist, State/Federal Accountability, Regional Testing Coordinator, at 713-744-6596 or [email protected]

State Board of Education Seeks Public Input About Assessments And Accountability

The State Board of Education (SBOE) issued a survey in English and Spanish to seek public input about the state’s current assessment and accountability programs and gather suggestions for future program development. The survey will be open online to all Texans through June 30.

The information gathered from the survey and the Community Conversations will be compiled into a report and presented to the SBOE for its consideration at its July 19-22, 2016 meeting. Once adopted, the report will be provided to legislative leaders and the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability. The 15-member commission, created by the Texas Legislature, is to make recommendations for statutory changes to the state’s assessment and accountability systems. The commission report is to be submitted to the governor and legislature by September 1, 2016.  The survey is available at the following links. Please complete by June 30, 2016. o English at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2762440/State- Assessments-and-Accountability-Survey and in o Spanish at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2851839/Encuesta-de- evaluaciones-y-responsabilidad-educativa-del-estado . Bahorich encourages Texans to share the link to the surveys to encourage widespread participation.

 From October 2015 to March 2016, SBOE members held nine Community Conversations meetings around the state, meeting with more than 500 citizens to gather comments about the state’s student assessment and accountability systems. Comments gathered at each of the Community Conversations are available at http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Leadership/State_Board_of_Education/SB OE_Meetings/Community_Conversations_about_Assessment_and_Accou ntability/

 For more information about the Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability, please visit http://tea.texas.gov/2804Commission.aspx

Proposed Amendment to Adopt the 2016 Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System Manual.

Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 97, Planning and Accountability, Subchapter AA, Accountability and Performance Monitoring, §97.1005, Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS) Summary: The proposed amendment would adopt the 2016 Performance-Based Monitoring Analysis System Manual. Click here Public Comment Period: May 20, 2016 - June 20, 2016. Earliest Possible Date of Adoption: June 20, 2016. Proposed Effective Date: July 28, 2016.

Please see the TEA website to view proposed commissioner of education rules.

You may submit comments on proposed rules to [email protected]. A request for a public hearing on a proposal submitted under the Administrative Procedure Act must be received by the commissioner of education not more than 14 calendar days after notice of the proposal has been published in the Texas Register. Unforeseen circumstances may delay publication of the agency rules in the Texas Register. The Rules website will be updated to reflect any changes.

Please contact Rulemaking if you have any questions. Rulemaking Texas Education Agency (512) 475-1497

Comment Period for 2016 Accountability Manual

The following rule action was filed with the Texas Register on Monday, May 16, 2016, for publication in the May 27, 2016 issue:

Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 97, Planning and Accountability, Subchapter AA, Accountability and Performance Monitoring, §97.1001, Accountability Rating System Summary: The proposed amendment would adopt applicable excerpts of the 2016 Accountability Manual. Public Comment Period: May 27, 2016 - June 27, 2016. Earliest Possible Date of Adoption: June 27, 2016. Proposed Effective Date: August 7, 2016.

Please see the TEA website to view proposed commissioner of education rules.

Please contact us if you have any questions. Rulemaking Texas Education Agency (512) 475-1497

Region 4 Upcoming Professional Development

Register online at the Region 4 Conference page or by clicking on the session link below. Join us for fun in the sun all summer for engaging strategies for student success… it’s all here at Region 4! Date Event Session#  June 20-23, 2016 Signing Exact English (SEE) Skillshop 1159090  June 28, 2016 Texas Behavior Support State Conference - 1176772 Administrator Pre-Conference  June 29-30, 2016 Texas Behavior Support State Conference 972605  July 19-21, 2016 Preschool Summer Institute: Early 976009 Childhood Special Education  July 26-28, 2016 Access to the General Curriculum (AGC) 972765 Institute 2016 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Skills Training Institute Join this three-day institute designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills required to implement the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Participants will learn of the myths and facts of ABA and leave the series with knowledge of the methods to increase, decrease, and refine behavior. Those who attend will also receive 2 CDs: Autism and ABA: A How-To Handbook for Teachers and Instructional Objectives Handbook.

Session ID: 1219171 Dates: July 26, 27, & 28, 2016 Time: 9:00 – 4:00 Location: Crowne Plaza Brookhollow Fee: $135 Contact information: Cathy Williams, [email protected], 713.744.6801

New for 2016-2017: Transformational Special Education Leadership Series

In a leadership position for Special Education in schools in the state of Texas? Or want to be? Join us for the Transformational Special Education Leadership series. Topics include:

 Transformational Special Education Leadership  Crucial Conversation and Accountability Skills for the Special Education Leader  What Every Special Education Leader Needs to Know About Resource Allocation, Supervision, Legal, Compliance, and Fiscal/Budget, Issues  Instructional Leadership and Program Supervision in Special Education  Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change in Special Education  Key Components to Take the Next Step in Leading for the Future

This session is designed for current and future leaders of special education including Directors, Assistant Directors, Administrators, Coordinators, Supervisors, Senior Specialists, Leads, and ARD Facilitators. Participants will be encouraged to operationalize leadership by identifying and focusing on a personal leadership application. Topic specific resources for each day will be provided during the series. Attendance and participation during each respective session is mandatory for receipt of training materials for that day. This seven-day series will be provided throughout the 2016-2017 school year. Registration is limited to 50 participants. Registration fee will not be prorated. Session and materials are partially or fully funded by state or federal grants.

Session ID: 1170966 Dates:  9/15/2016  10/5/2016  11/4/2016  11/15/2016  1/11/2017  2/8/2017  3/1/2017 Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Region 4 Fee $245 Contact: Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D., 713-744-6399 or [email protected]

ARD Facilitator Networking Meeting (2016-17)

Networking opportunity for ARD Facilitators. Participants will review legal updates, facilitation skills, and current topics related to implementation of Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 89.1196 Individualized Education Program (IEP) Facilitation at the local level. This networking opportunity is designed for special education staff who are serving in the role of ARD Facilitator in districts or charter schools. Materials and resources are partially or fully funded by state and federal funds.

Note: Participants in this Networking Meeting will need to have completed the online modules for Facilitating the IEP process provided by Region 4 and 13 Education Service Centers. Register online for the following sessions. Information on submitting evidence of course completion will be provided.  Region 4 ESC: The 4 Tenets of IEP Meeting Leadership and Facilitation – Modules 1–4 (6 hours credit for all modules). Click here to search ◦ o Module 1: Foundational Knowledge o Module 2: IEP Preparation & Planning o Module 3: Problem Solving & Consensus Building o Module 4: Breaking Through an Impasse

 Region 13 ESC: The Basics: Facilitating ARDs/IEP Meetings (18 hours credit) Course # FA1219851. Click here to search.

Topic specific resources for each day will be provided during the series. Attendance and participation during each respective session is mandatory for receipt of training materials for that day. This networking opportunity is not designed as a training, it is designed to support districts and charters implementing facilitation of IEPs. It is recommended that participants attend all days. A resource will be provided only at the first session that will be used throughout the year. Registration is limited to 50 participants. Special Education Director of the participant’s district or charter will be contacted to verify extent to which local facilitation is being implemented. Session ID: 1171248 Dates:  9/13/2016  10/11/2016  1/10/2017  2/7/2017  4/4/2017 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Region 4 Contact: Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D., 713-744-6399 or [email protected]

Facilitation Skills for Managing Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Meetings Back by popular demand! Join our national presenter, Ingrid Bens, for two days in September for an exploration of how facilitation tools and techniques can help Facilitators increase the consistency and effectiveness of ARD meetings.

Session objectives are to: - Identify recurring dilemmas and challenges commonly encountered in ARD meetings. - Practice using specific facilitation tools and strategies to manage these challenges. - Develop conflict resolution and problem solving skills. - Gain new tools for reaching consensus, overcoming resistance and gaining buy-in.

Session ID: 1081188 Dates: 9/27-28/2016 Time: Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Fee $70 (Registration is limited to 50 participants for this interactive session to build capacity skills for facilitation) Location: Region 4 Contact: Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D., 713-744-6399 or [email protected]

Residential Placement Application Updates

NOTE: TEA HAS PROJECTED CHANGES IN THE RESIDENTIAL APPLICATION/NONPUBLIC DAY SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS MOVING TO ONLINE SUBMISSION FOR 2016-2017. PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE FOLLOWING SESSION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE UPDATES VIA EMAIL ON THESE CHANGES. ALSO NOTE THAT THIS SESSION MAY BE RESCHEDULED OR CANCELLED BASED ON FUTURE NOTICES FROM TEA ON THE NEW SYSTEM.

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) which intends to contract for placement of a student with a disability under IDEA in a residential facility in accordance with 19 TAC 89.61 must notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through the residential application process. The Application for Approval of Funding for Residential Placement is available through each Education Service Center (ESC). The application is to be completed by the LEA and submitted through the ESC to be forwarded to TEA for review regardless of the funding source the LEA intends to use. This session is designed to provide information, updates, and technical assistance to LEAs who will be completing the TEA Application for Approval of Residential Placement. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.

Session ID: 1171249 Dates: 9/20/2016 Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Location: Region 4 Contact: Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D., 713-744-6399 or [email protected]

Noneducational Community-Based Support Services Funds Application Updates

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) under TEC 29.013 has established procedures and criteria for the allocation of funds to school districts for the provision of noneducational community-based support services (noned) to certain students with disabilities under IDEA and their families so that those students may receive an appropriate free public education in the least restrictive environment. The funds may be used only for eligible students with disabilities who would remain or would have to be placed in residential facilities primarily for educational reasons without the provision of noneducational community-based support services. This session is designed to provide information, updates, and technical assistance to Local Education Agencies (LEA) that choose to apply through their Education Service Center (ESC) to TEA for noned funds. Participants are encouraged to share information during the session regarding their LEA policies, procedures, and administrative processes related to providing noned funds. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.

Session ID: 1171250 Dates: 9/20/2016 Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Location: Region 4 Contact: Linda De Zell Hall, Ph.D., 713-744-6399 or [email protected]