Transition Tribune

SPPI 14 submission is completed if your district meets the following criteria:

• Prior year 9-12 graders that reported Special Education in the 2023-2024 Fall or Summer PEIMS submission with SPECIAL-ED-INDICATOR-CODE (E0794) = ‘1’.
• AND reported one of the following ExitWithdrawTypes in the current 2024-2025 Fall PEIMS submission: 01, 24, 88, 90, 98.

*SPPI-14 is due to Region 7 on February 13th and to TEA on February 20th.

**Great Idea -Register and complete the R7 TSDS SPPI-14 On-Demand course HERE. Valuable resources are provided to those that enroll.

Per TEC 29.011(e), the LEA assures the Texas Transition and Employment Guide is linked in both English and Spanish from the Texas Transition website to the LEA website for parent and student access.

To meet compliance with this requirement, each LEA should post a link directly to the PDF in English and Spanish (as posted on Texas SPED Support). If an LEA has uploaded the PDFs to their local server rather than linked directly to the Texas SPED Support website, they have met compliance with this requirement.

Additionally, LEAs may post links to the Transition and Employment Guide in other languages, and/or to the page on Texas SPED Support where all Texas Transition and Employment Guide resources can be found.

*The LEA deadline to submit Legal Framework assurances, including the assurance that the Texas Transition and Employment Guide is posted to the LEA website, has been extended from January 24, 2025 to March 31, 2025.

All LEAs must assure the contact information for the Transition and Employment Designee (TED) is current in AskTED and that the TED has met the minimum training requirements or will complete the training within a reasonable timeframe.

*The LEA deadline to submit Legal Framework assurances, including the assurance that the TED is accurate in AskTED, has been extended from January 24, 2025 to March 31, 2025.

As you may have already seen, the Minimum Standards for the Academic Achievement Record (AAR) guidance document has been updated for the first time since 2012! Visit the TEA website to see the 2024 Minimum Standards for the AAR.

On January 16, the Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services released Guidance related to postsecondary transition for students and youth with disabilities. This guidance builds on A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities and prior policy letters that the Department issued in August 2020. Titled “Coordinating Transition Services and Postsecondary Access: Guidance on Requirements Under the IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act,” the new guidance document describes how State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and State VR agencies may coordinate to assist students with disabilities in the transition from public school to postsecondary education and employment.

*Great Idea - Join me for the virtual transition cohort pm session on February 6th to review highlights from the new guidance documents. Register HERE.

The National Deaf Center released a new report, “Supporting Deaf College Students: Perspectives from Disability Services Professionals (2023-2024).” Discover how technology and the importance of equity and access are shaping the future of support for deaf students on college campuses.

Region 7 ESC and Partners Resource Network (PRN) partnered to provide a collaborative transition symposium for students with varying abilities, their parents, and teachers. Participants will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of breakout sessions related to self-advocacy, educational support systems, employment, independent living skills, and community services. I'm excited for students to hear from Romereo Brown, founder and CEO of the clothing brand Weird and Different, during the lunch keynote. Resources and agencies from the community will be available to all attendees in the exhibitor's hall.

There are relevant topics of interest for ALL abilities . Schedule your school buses, get your field trip forms completed (see attached parent packet), share flyers with your parents, and join us for this impactful student opportunity!

WHEN: February 24, 2025

TIME: 8:30 am (Check-In) – 2:00 pm

WHERE: Region 7 ESC, 1909 South Longview Street, Kilgore

REGISTER: Use the QR code and/or link on the attached flyers or REGISTER HERE.

English & Spanish Flyer

PTOP Parent Packet

Breakout Sessions

New Transition Employment Designees, Transition Coordinators, and Transition Specialists will receive hands-on professional development related to best practices and legal requirements for Transition.

When: February 6, 2025

Time: 9:00-11:00 am

Where: Virtual Only

REGISTER HERE

The transition services sessions will provide special education professionals with the knowledge to implement quality transition services that are required as part of the Individual Education Plan for all students 14 years and older. The focus will be on evidence-based practices, collaboration, and networking.

When: February 6, 2025

Time: 1:00-3:00 pm

Where: Virtual Only

REGISTER HERE

Welcome to Transition Topics Tuesday, an engaging series of virtual professional development meetings crafted specifically for TEDs and Special Education Vocational Staff members. Join us for each session as we delve into highly requested and relevant transition topics, providing valuable insights and fostering professional growth. Explore key areas of interest, enhance your expertise, and connect with fellow educators in this dynamic learning experience.

FEBRUARY: PARENT & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

When: Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Where: Virtual

REGISTER HERE

MARCH: SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE

When: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Time: 12:00-1:30 pm

Where: Virtual

REGISTER HERE

The 18+ ESC 7 Roundtable will provide a forum for special education staff to discuss how 18+ programs and services are implemented within our region. Whether you want to learn more about the requirements for special education services beyond graduation, would like resources to support questions you have about establishing or maintaining 18+ services or have insight into 18+ transition practices that you would like to share, this is the place to learn from and collaborate with other 18+ pioneers. We look forward to the focused discussion about the challenges and best practices you encounter as a vocational professional.

When: March 26, 2025

Time: 1:00-3:00 pm

Where: Virtual

REGISTER HERE

This workshop looks at ways to empower students with intellectual AND developmental disabilities to acquire the skills necessary to live in future environments with purpose, independence, and joy. Topics will include disability awareness, self-advocacy, work based learning, person-centered planning, student-led ARD meetings, and resources to promote sincere and strategic futures planning. This is a Hybrid workshop ( In-Person or Virtual ).

When: April 3, 2025

Time: 9:00-3:00 pm

Where: In-Person or Virtual

REGISTER HERE

The 2024 Texas Transition Conference will be held February 19th – 21st at the Royal Sonesta Galleria in Houston, TX. Visit the hotel page for more information.

The maximum capacity for the live event is 500. A virtual option is available, and the registration rate is the same as the live event.

• Students, families & preservice teachers rate $200
• Early Registration Rate $350 (registration & payment received before 12/13/24)
• Regular Registration Rate $425 (registrations & payments received after 12/13/24)

Lindale and Whitehouse ISDs developed a collaborative and competitive sporting opportunity for their students in self-contained settings. Both districts meet to compete in the areas of volleyball, basketball, and track.

The kids gain skills in socialization, appropriate competitive behaviors, following rules, teamwork, and utilizing exercise to stay physically fit.

Both of the districts take turns hosting events.

The students practice the sports during P.E. in order to prepare for the events against the opposing district.

The head coaches from the high schools referee the sporting events and all high school students are invited to come cheer them on.

~Carlee Tennison, Special Education Teacher, Whitehouse ISD