Welcome to our web site!
Partners Resource Network (PRN) is a non-profit agency that operates the statewide network of federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI's) in Texas. The PTI Projects are: PATH, PEN, and TEAM.
The programs and services of PRN are based on the concept of parents helping parents. Our mission is to empower parents of children and youth with disabilities in their roles as parents, decision makers, and advocates for their children and to promote partnerships among parents and professionals.
Our web site is designed to provide timely information and to link the visitor with other resources in Texas and the nation. Our goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of infants, toddlers, children and young adults with disabilities and their families who live in the great State of Texas.
What's New
OSERS Issues Revised Q&A on IEPs
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), has issued a revised Q&A document to provide states, state educational agencies, local educational agencies, parents, and other stakeholders with information regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requirements relating to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), evaluations, and reevaluations. Read it here. http://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/iep-qa-2010.pdf
Common Core Standards Released
The Common Core State Standards for math and English language arts have been posted online, along with supporting documents such as Application to Students with Disabilities. The standards were developed to provide evidence-based benchmarks for all students across the country. http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards
Building a Good Relationship with Your Child's Teacher
The best way to support your child's needs is to build and maintain a strong, positive relationship with all the people at school who play a role in educating your child. And, make sure your child knows that this is a team effort — you're all working together to help him or her succeed! Full article >
Tips for Military Parents on Supporting Their Children in Special Education
It’s critical that you have the right professionals (e.g., educators, case workers, and others) supporting your child’s needs, but remember that you are your child’s best ally and advocate. Here are some tips for supporting your military child’s needs if he or she has a learning disability — at home, in school, and in the community at large. Full article >
What is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simple terms, a learning disability results from a difference in the way a person's brain is "wired." Children with learning disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways. Full article >
Is My Child's Behavior the Sign of a Learning Disability?
Any of this sound familiar? Your child's teacher tells you that your son is having trouble sitting still in class…. Every day, homework turns into a teary-eyed, hair-pulling, paper-tearing tug o' war…. Your teen is caught painting graffiti on the bathroom wall…. You may be baffled by behaviors like these. And, you may wonder whether they could be linked to a learning disability (LD). Full article >
Resources about Graduation, Assessments, Standards Based IEPs, and the State Curriculum
Curriculum
- Graduation Requirements, http://www.tea.state.tx.us/graduation.aspx
- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6148
Assessment
- TAKS-M Resources, http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index3.aspx?id=3636&menu_id=793
- End of Course Assessments, http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index3.aspx?id=3302&menu_id=793
IDEA Coordination
- Standards-Based IEPs, http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/guidance/sbIEP.html
- Annual Performance Report (APR) submitted February 2010, http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/spp/
New What Works Clearinghouse Reports Focus on Learning Disabilities
What Works Clearinghouse recently released eight new intervention reports focusing on multi-sensory programs for students with learning disabilities. http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/reports/topic.aspx?tid=19
New iPod Touch Workbook for Individuals with Cognitive Challenges
Organizing Your Life with the iPod Touch: Making Cognitive Connections at Home, Work, and School is a workbook developed by the PDA 4 Memory Project for individuals living with brain injuries and other cognitive issues. Topics covered in the workbook include: Making Cognitive Connections, iPod Touch Basics, the Clock App, the Calendar App, the Contacts App and the Notes App http://id4theweb.com/iPod_book.cfm
Texas Education on iTunes U
Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas Education Agency have joined together to launch Texas Education on iTunes U, which provides free multimedia content to educators, students and parents in Texas and around the world. More information >
2010 OSEP's Determination Letters on State Implementation of IDEA
IDEA Part B - Texas NEEDS ASSISTANCE (two consecutive years)
IDEA Part C - Texas NEEDS ASSISTANCE (two consecutive years)
2010 State Performance Plans and Annual Performance Reports
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has posted state determination letters for State Performance Plans and Annual Performance Reports. Please see links below for further information.
Part B Letters: http://www2.ed.gov/fund/data/report/idea/partbspap/allyears.html
Part C Letters: http://www2.ed.gov/fund/data/report/idea/partcspap/allyears.html
TEA Review of Commissioner's Rules
Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Robert Scottsent a letter to school administrators on April 9, 2010, asking them toparticipate in a review of all rules , requirements and guidance underhis discretion. Disability advocates and other stakeholders can also provide input during this review of Commissioner's Rules, proposedCommissioner's Rules, and related TEA regulations and guidance by submitting written comment at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=8375&menu_id=962
TEA wants to obtain all feedback by July 23rd so that agency staff can summarize, analyze and respond to the input bythe end of September. This will allow them to propose formal rulechanges and legislative changes before the end of this year. Full article >
New CADRE Resources on Dispute Resolution
Ten Tips for SEAs and LEAs to Improve Their Mediation Agreement Rate - This 'tip sheet' was developed to provide coordinators of mediation programs with ideas and strategies on how to improve their mediation agreement rate. Download this resource
Tips, Tools & Resources for LEAs and Early Intervention Providers to Improve Agreement Rates in Resolution Sessions - This resource was developed to provide local education agency personnel and early intervention providers with ideas and strategies on how to improve their resolution meeting agreement rate. Download this resource
State ADR/Mediation Resource Directory - This resource contains a listing of offices and organizations that offer expertise in mediation and other forms of alternate dispute resolution. The directory catalogs a broad range of entities, including statewide offices, court-based services, academic centers, membership associations and not-for-profit organizations.
Download this directory
IDEA Partnership's Collaborative Work on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The IDEA Partnership is pleased to announce the release of its new Collection on Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can assess the Collection on ASD here.
Over 1 Million Digital Books Now Available Free to the Print-Disabled
More than doubling the number of books available to print disabled people of all ages, the Internet Archive launched a new service that brings free access to more than 1 million books — from classic 19th century fiction and current novels to technical guides and research materials — now available in the specially designed format to support those who are blind, dyslexic or are otherwise visually impaired. Full article >
Higher Education Opportunity Act and Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Learn about how the Higher Education Opportunity Act and national initiatives support postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. Madeleine Will and Stephanie Lee of the National Down Syndrome Society and Judy Shanley of the U.S. Department of Education present an overview of current college programs, strategies for promoting these opportunities, and resources for further information.
Texas to Receive Nearly $338 Million to Turn Around Its Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that Texas will receive nearly $338 million to turn around its persistently lowest achieving schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program. These funds are part of the $3.5 billion that will be made available to states this spring from money set aside in the 2009 budget and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Full article >
Texas Education Agency’s Kathy Clayton Believes that Listening Leads to Learning
Kathy Clayton is a good listener. As the state director of special education, Clayton leads by listening to representatives of every stakeholder group in special education — parents, advocates, school districts and students with disabilities. Full article >
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): What Is It and Why Should We Care?
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. Full article >
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day - May 6
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is a day for everyone to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families. Full article >
Obama Administration's Education Reform Plan emphasizes Flexibility, Resources and Accountability for Results
The Obama administration' s blueprint to overhaul the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) will support state and local efforts to help ensure that all students graduate prepared for college and a career. Full article >
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Fact Sheet
The Rural Institute at the University of Montana has developed a fact sheet that parents and transition-age students can use at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings to help determine if the student is eligible for SSI Plans for Achieving Self Support (PASS) plans. http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/training/publications/fact_sheets/student_eligibility.asp
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day will take place on May 6, 2010. One activity will be “Art Action” celebrating the theme “My Feelings Are a Work of Art.” Visit http://www.arttherapy.org/chmad.asp to learn more about how teachers, care providers, parents, and others can engage young children in art activities that encourage them to talk about having and expressing feelings.
New SpecialQuest Preschool Inclusion Series
SpecialQuest Birth–Five has released new materials supporting high quality inclusion of preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) in early care and education settings. The new Preschool Inclusion Series highlights children with disabilities participating in inclusive environments. Classroom staff, administrators, specialists, and families share their perspectives on what makes inclusion work. The new Preschool Inclusion Series contains four video programs with training scripts, and handouts and is available in English and Spanish http://76.249.171.46/specialquest/trainingmaterials/preschool_series.lasso
U.S. Department of Education Makes Public State-by-State Restraint & Seclusion Information
The U.S. Department of Education has released a summary of state laws, regulations, policies and guidelines regarding the use of restraint and seclusion techniques in schools. This state-by-state summary is a result of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's letter issued to Chief State School Officers on July 31, 2009, urging a review of current state policies and guidelines regarding the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. The document can be viewed at: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/seclusion/summary-by-state.pdf
STAAR to Replace TAKS
Commissioner of Education Robert Scott announced that the next generation of student tests will be called the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness or STAAR. Full article >
Community of Practice in Autism
NASDSE’s IDEA Partnership Project has begun a national Community of Practice in Autism. To learn more about this community, visit the Partnership’s website at www.ideapartnership.org.
Principals Group Releases IDEA Recommendations
The National Association of Secondary School Principals released a set of recommendations for how lawmakers should change the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act when it's up for reauthorization in 2010.
Read full article >
2009-10 Texas Education Service Centers (ESC) Public Input and Information Meetings
We have added the revised schedule of ESC Public Input and Information Meetings for 2009-10 to our Calendar of Events. You can also download and print the complete schedule here.
2009-10 TEA Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Parent Notification Letters Released
Districts with campuses in Title I, Part A School Improvement Stage 2 and above must notify parents of eligible students about the SES option. SES parent notification letters (PNLs) must be disseminated to parents of eligible students on or before Monday, August 24, 2009. The state-required PNL and instructions were released on August 5, 2009 on the TEA’s Division of NCLB Program Coordination’s website. Full article >
Free Summary of the 81st Texas Legislature: Bills Related to Education
Walsh, Anderson, Brown, Aldridge & Gallegos, P.C. have compiled a great tool for anyone following the legal changes in Texas education. Download the 81st Texas Legislature: Bills Related to Education
