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.

Janice S. Meyer
Executive Director

NEW - Resolution Meetings: A Guide for Parents Fact Sheet

With the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004), Congress recognized the need to provide additional opportunities for early dispute resolution. The resolution process was added as another way schools and parents can work out their differences whenever a parent has filed a request for a due process hearing.

To learn more, download PRN's Resolution Meetings: A Guide for Parents fact sheet*

Senate Bill (SB) 673 | Participation of Students with Disabilities in Graduation Ceremonies

SB 673 allows students with disabilities to participate in a graduation ceremony after four years of high school. The intent of SB 673 is to allow students with disabilities to participate in graduation ceremonies with students they entered high school with four years earlier.

An implementation chart has been developed by the Texas Education Agency to assist in establishing a process to ensure proper implementation of this state law.

View/Download the SB 673 Frequently Asked Questions

View/Download the Implementation Chart Word Version | HTML version

View/Download the May 11, 2007, To the Administrator Addressed Letter

Graduation Guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA)

The Graduation Guidance describes the four ways that a student receiving special education services may graduate from high school and receive a regular high school diploma. This document was partially developed to address the new rules in the recently adopted Commissioner' s rules. It also notes that if a student is dismissed from special education, they will not be able to take the TAKS (Accommodated) , TAKS-M, or TAKS-Alt assessment instruments. Read TEA's Graduation Guidance at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/guidance/graduation.html

Helping Your Young Adult Find Employment

Having a job can be exciting, fun, hard work, scary, and full of new skills to learn and master. This is true for all young people with or without disabilities. In the past, many people with disabilities didn't have jobs. This was especially true for people with mental retardation and those with autism. Today, fortunately, the employment prospects for such individuals are changing. Young people with disabilities are learning important skills in school and on the job. These skills are proving useful to employers, and so are the other talents that people with disabilities bring to the workplace. Read this article at the Texas Transition Resource Center >>

Extended School Year Services for Students with Disabilities

According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), "One of the greatest challenges currently facing Texas in regard to the delivery of services for students with disabilities is the prevalence of inconsistent and inaccurate information". The purpose of the following TEA resource document is to provide information and guidance to parents, district staff, and other interested stakeholders regarding the provision of extended school year (ESY) services. Download this TEA document at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/resources/esy.pdf*

State Assessment for Students with Disabilities in Texas Fact Sheet

There has been a statewide assessment of educational skills for certain grades in the State of Texas for many years. The current test is called the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and is based on the state mandated curriculum called Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Federal law (the No Child Left Behind Act) requires that all students in Texas be taught from this curriculum (TEKS) and be tested on grade level curriculum, including students receiving special education.

Students with disabilities in grades 3-11 are required to take assessments in the same subjects as other students. In Texas, the ARD committee determines which version of the TAKS a student with disabilities will take. There are four versions of the TAKS: 1) regular TAKS, 2) TAKS Accommodated, 3) TAKS Modified, and 4) TAKS Alternate.

To learn more, download PRN's State Assessment for Students with Disabilities in Texas Fact Sheet* >>

TEA Assessment Web Site Update

The TAKS Raw Score Conversion Tables for March 2008 Reading Grades 3,5,8 have been posted. You can get to the webpage from the “A to Z” directory under “R” for “Raw Score Conversion Tables”
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/directory.html or using the following link:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/scoring/convtables/2008/index.html

The TAKS-M Information Brochure has been posted. You can get to the webpage from the “A to Z” directory under “T” for “TAKS–M Information Brochures” or by using the following link:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/taksm/index html#resources

The Parent Brochure “LAT Information about Your Child’s Results” has been posted. You can get to the webpage from the “A to Z” directory under “ELL (English Language Learner) Assessment Information” or by using the following link: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/admin/rpte/index.html# lat_admin