AUesome Newsletter

Each year the TEA invites groups of Texas educators to provide feedback on the development of state assessments (STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, and TELPAS) through educator committees across all assessed grades and content areas. Developing high-quality, aligned questions relies on the expertise and experience of Texas educators. Participants collaborate with other educators from across the state to review and approve each potential question for state assessments. TEA is currently accepting applications from all districts to participate in item review committees all subjects and grade levels.

If you know of any educators (including yourself!) who might be interested in participating in these review meetings, please encourage them to apply using the link below. Meetings are typically held during the spring and summer. If selected, an invite will be sent with all the logistical information.

The commitment is generally two to three days in Austin with all travel, accommodations, and substitute coverage paid for by TEA. All participants will earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

TEA is always looking for ways to connect with their partners in the field!

From site visits, to review opportunities, to focus groups, there are numerous ways to connect with TEA and support the field of education. If you are interested in participating in engagement opportunities, sign up by clicking the button below.

• Thursday, June 19th, 2025 and Friday, June 20th, 2025
  Content geared towards educators. Present live at Education Service Center, Region 13 in Austin on the day your session is scheduled. Your 60-minute presentation will be livestreamed for our virtual audience and recorded for registered participants to access for 60 days following the conference via our conference app.
• Saturday, June 21st, 2025
  Content geared toward family members (parents, siblings, grandparents, and other caregivers of individuals with autism). Your 60-minute presentation will be prerecorded with our Region 13 video team and broadcasted on our conference website that is open to the public. Your recorded video will also be made available to conference participants in the conference app to watch up to 60 days following the conference.

Conference Focus

The focus of the conference will be geared towards educators providing services to school-aged students with autism on June 19th and 20th and family members on June 21st. The presentations should help participants learn something new and innovative in order to broaden their perspectives and understanding of autism. The conference presentations can explore evidence-based practices, technologies, and approaches that will provide participants with practical information, tools, and strategies that can be implemented immediately in one or more of the following areas:

• Behavior
• Communication/Assistive Technology
• Evaluation/Assessment
• Evidence-Based Practices for Autism
• Inclusion/Mindset/Attitudes
• Literacy/Math/Other Academic Skills
• Parent Implemented Interventions/Family/Community Resources
• Peer-Based Instruction and Interventions/Friendships
• Social Skills
• Transition/Self-determination
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Mental Health and Autism
• Executive Functioning

Please note: Marketing and product pitches will not be considered.

6/23/2025

9am-4pm

In this session, Dr. Pennington will offer a pragmatic model and tools for supporting educational professionals charged with educating students with autism and complex support needs to develop and maintain high quality education programs directed at meaningful outcomes in all settings. This engaging session will help both new and seasoned professional reflect on their current practice and find that next step towards educational excellence.

BCBA CEUs available

https://txr17.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=1084428

This series examines the common challenges for students with autism in the areas of organization, social, literacy, and writing and offers assistive technology devices and supports that may help students succeed. This series was created by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) in partnership with the Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training and the Texas Education Agency

https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/learning-library/autism-spectrum-disorder-and-assistive-technology

This chart organizes the levels of support a student might need from least to most invasive. The hierarchy helps staff identify a student’s needs and provide the right level of support.

Note: Educators should plan to provide the least invasive support for the student to be successful and have a plan for fading. For students who require a full physical prompt, the technique of hand-under-hand is preferable.

https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/resource-library/hierarchy-cueing-and-prompting

Email: ncoffey@esc17.net
Location: 1111 W Loop 289, Lubbock, TX, USA
Phone: 806-281-5831

Email: ahalbakken@es17.net

Website: esc17.net
Location: 1111 West Loop 289, Lubbock, TX, USA
Phone: (806)281-5701