Weekly Update 5.21.2015
TEA Information
Assessment Graduation Requirements as Amended by Senate Bill (SB) 149
This correspondence is to inform you that with Governor Greg Abbott’s signing of SB 149 on May 11, 2015, there are immediate and significant changes to the state’s assessment graduation requirements, first effective with this year’s graduating 12th grade class. Emergency commissioner rules to amend the assessment graduation requirements have been filed with the Texas Register and are effective immediately. The emergency commissioner’s rules can be viewed at the following link:
SB 149 has revised the state’s assessment graduation requirements for students enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade for the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, or 2016-2017 school years. A student who has failed the EOC assessment graduation requirements for no more than two courses may receive a Texas high school diploma if the student has qualified to graduate by means of an individual graduation committee (IGC). Under the legislation, a student may not graduate under an IGC if the student did not take each required EOC assessment or a commissioner-approved substitute assessment for each course for which there is an EOC assessment.
Regardless of any IGC action, a district must still provide a student an opportunity to retake an EOC if the student has not previously achieved satisfactory performance on an EOC or substitute assessment for that subject.
SB 149 also allows a student who did not pass the Algebra I and/or English II EOC assessment(s) a second time to use the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment to meet the EOC requirement for the corresponding course. A student must receive a TSI score indicating readiness to enroll in entry-level freshman coursework.
Both the IGC and TSI provisions expire September 1, 2017.
The emergency rule action was filed on May 11, 2015, and will be effective for 120 days. In conjunction with the emergency amendment, an identical proposed rule item was filed for publication in the May 29, 2015 issue of the Texas Register. The proposed rule amendment is intended to replace the emergency amendment upon expiration. The proposed rule will include a 30-day public comment period and may be amended prior to adoption based on public comment or other factors.
Questions concerning the implementation of a district’s IGC should be directed to the agency’s curriculum division at (512) 463-9581. Questions concerning the TSI should be directed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at (512) 427-6111.
For Your Information
Special Education Website – Revised
If you have not seen our revised special education website, please check it out at
New Standards-Based IEP Online Training Now Posted!
Education Service Center, Region 20, in conjunction with TEA have updated the online training and it is now posted and available. It has been updated to reflect new guidance, state assessment changes, as well as a more robust PLAAFP section. This training is free and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete. See the attached flyer for enrollment information. This valuable resource allows for all districts throughout the state to be on the same page and receive the same guidance.
Contact Information: Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D. , 713.744.6361
Region 4 Upcoming Professional Development
Access to the General Curriculum (AGC) Institute 2015
Join education professionals at this three day AGC Institute in exploring evidenced-based practices for creating effective learning environments for all learners. AGC Institute strands will includeSolutions 4accessing academic content, navigating federal and state accountability systems, achieving rigorous state assessment standards, creating 21stcentury digital learning environments, increasing student engagement, and implementing effective inclusive practices. Participants will leave the AGC Institute with practical strategies to promote access to and participation in the general curriculum. The AGC Institute will include general sessions from national speakers, the opportunity to attend concurrent break-out or workshop sessions,and our digital café where you can explore free Web 2.0 tools for the classroom. Session and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Dates: July 21, 22, & 23, 2015
Session ID: 927507
General Session Presenters: Preston Swincher, Grace Dearborn, Rick Wormeli, Justin Porter
Time: 8:00 - 3:00
Fee: $135
Contact information: Kirsten Omelan, Ph.D., , 713.744.6361,
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 and materials costs are partially funded through state or federal grants.
Dates: July 28, 29, & 30, 2015 Session ID: 1143431 Instructors: Beverly Braman, Ph.D. BCBA-D; Susan Catlett, Ph.D. BCBA-D Time: 9:00 – 4:00 Location: Crowne Plaza Brookhollow Contact Information: Cathy Williams, , 713.744.6801
The Journey from Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) to Intervention
Join this workshop to actively participate in an in-depth examination of the intervention process….the journey from functional behavior assessment to intervention development. During this two-day training, participants will 1) learn and practice a variety of data collection methods, 2) practice completing and interpreting a functional behavior assessment, 3) identify replacement behaviors, 4) write behavior goals, and 5) select research-based interventions. Participants are also encouraged to bring examples of behavior goals they have written and interventions they have developed to use as examples and receive feedback.
**This session was originally scheduled for March 23 & 24, 2015. It has been rescheduled to the date below.**
Session ID: 1077423 Dates: September 22 & 23, 2015 Time: 9:00 – 4:00 Fee: $90 Contact information: Cathy Williams, , 713 744 6801