- Academics at PISD
- Parent Navigator
Parent Navigator
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Plano ISD Special Education MISSION
We will ADVOCATE and COLLABORATE to help ALL students and staff ACHIEVE their full POTENTIAL, meet INDIVIDUAL needs, and promote GROWTH of the WHOLE CHILD!
This is a site to support parents with students in Special Education.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT TRAININGS / COMMUNITY EVENTS
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Chick the image above for more information about how to join parent lunch hours and details about the topics.
Click the image above to view the video recording.
Link to presentation in the video above: Google Classrooms for Parents
Click the image above to view the video recording in English.
Link to presentation for the above training: English or Spanish
Upcoming Events
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March 23, 2021
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Texas Collaborative Autism Project: Session 5- Play and Social Skills
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March 24, 2021
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Texas Collaborative Autism Project: Session 5- Play and Social Skills
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April 27, 2021
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Texas Collaborative Autism Project: Session 6- Jobs Within the Home
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April 28, 2021
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Texas Collaborative Autism Project: Session 6- Jobs Within the Home
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Important for all Families
This section includes important resources that are considered to be "top of the list things do to."
Important for all Families
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Updates in Special Education
In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 139 (SB 139), which requires Texas local education agencies (LEAs) to distribute the updates in special education at: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Updates-on-Special-Education.pdf
Additional notices are available at http://direc.to/dVYo regarding:
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Actualizaciones en Educación Especial
En el año 2019, la 86a Asamblea Legislativa de Texas aprobó el Proyecto de Ley del Senado 139 (Senate Bill, o SB, 139), que exige a todas las agencias de educación locales de Texas distribuir a todos los padres el aviso a continuación.
Aviso para padres en español https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/updates-on-special-education-spanish.pdf
Por favor, lea el aviso y luego haga clic en http://direc.to/dVYo para leer los cuatro avisos adicionales proporcionados:
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**COVID 19 Parent/Guardian Special Education Resources
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LifePath Systems (For Collin County Residents)
LifePath Systems To be placed on the Interest List call Lifepath Services at 972-727-9133 or Department of Human Services 512-438-5658
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Metrocare (For Dallas County Residents)
Metrocare (For Dallas County Residents) To be placed on the Interest List call Inquiry Line: (866) 501-6535
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Planning for the Future with Medicaid Waivers
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Plano Police Department
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General Information
The sections below provide information regarding special education contact lists, acronyms, evaluations, IDEA, and more. There are also sections that include information you may need in regard to a particular time of year.
General Information
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General Information
Acronyms: Special Education seems to have a language of its own. Educators often use many of these words in conversations with parents, so, as a parent, please ask for clarification or an explanation of the meaning.
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act website.
Special Education Contact List: Linked is the PISD Special Education contact list.
Special Education Home Page: This link will navigate you to the PISD Special Education website.
Texas Council of Developmental Disabilities: "The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities helps people with developmental disabilities achieve their potential for independence, productivity, and integration into their communities by working to develop a comprehensive system of service and supports in Texas."(Texas Council of Developmental Disabilities)
Resolving Student and Parent Concerns: Plano ISD encourages students and parents to attempt to resolve their concerns with the appropriate teacher, principal, other campus administrator, department or employee. The district believes it is in the best interest of everyone involved to informally resolve concerns, if at all possible. Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest possible administrative level.
Technical Assistance: Child Find and Evaluation: Will link to PDF developed by Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Technical Assistance: Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development: Will link to PDF developed by Texas Educaiton Agency (TEA)
Evaluations
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Evaluations
Evaluations: This link will navigate you to the PISD special education site for more information regarding the evaluation process.
Beginning of the year
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Beginning of the Year
End of the Year
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End of the Year
End of the Year Helpful Links:
Summer activities:
See Community Resource Guide for more information about summer activities. This document is updated annually and not endorsed by PISD, rather a document of resources for parents to consider.
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Resources
The resource section provides links for special education, program, and community resources.
Resources
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General Resources
Center for Parent Information & Resources
Contacts for College Programs for Students with Disabilities 2021
Council of Learning Disabilities
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Special Education Rules & Regulations
Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Special Education Resource Center
SPED TEX- Special Education Information Center
Special Education in Texas A-Z Index
The Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education Process
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Community Resource Guide
Community Resource Guide: This document is updated annually and not endorsed by PISD, rather a document of resources for parents to consider.
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources
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Down Syndrome
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ECI/ECSE
Early Childhood Intervention Services
PISD Early Childhood Resources
Information for Early Childhood intervention (Collin County ECI 972-562-0331)
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Learning Disabilities
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ARD Process
In the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Process sections you will find links to provide further information about the ARD and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) processes such as the ARD guide and procedural safeguards.
ARD Process
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Admission Review, and Dismissal Process (ARD)
Parent's Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process (7/2020) - English: "The guide is designed to give you, as the parent of a child who is or may be eligible for special education services, a better understanding of the special education
process..."Parent's Guide to the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process (7/2020) - Spanish
Parent's Guide to Admission, Review, and Dismissal Process (7/2020)- More Languages
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Procedural Safeguards
Procedural Safeguards (English) July 2020: Rights of Parents of Children with Disabilities (link to document viewer)
Procedural Safeguards (Spanish) July 2020 (link to document viewer)
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Interpreters
Interpreter Services
The district must provide the parent with a written or audiotaped copy of the child's IEP translated into the parent's native language. Texas Educ. Code § 29.005(d)(1).
If you need an interpreter for a meeting, contact your child's case manager and they will follow the district process for requesting an interpreter.
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More Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and ARD Resources
Technical Assistance: Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development: Will link to PDF developed by Texas Educaiton Agency (TEA)
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Surrogate Parent
A surrogate or foster parent may be needed to represent a student with a disability during the special education process as outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA).
In cases where the child has no parent(s), none can be located, or the child is a ward of the state, a surrogate parent must be appointed to make educational decisions on behalf of the child and to protect the child’s rights in matters relating to identification, evaluation, and placement in special education.
Surrogate/foster parents are provided with required training by the campus Special Education Department
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Transition Support
Transition Support is for all ages (pre-k to adult). Additional information regarding these transitions by age level are linked below.
Transition Support
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PISD Transition Programs
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Transition Resources
Transition Texas (Texas Transition and Employment Guide (English and Spanish) can be found on this website)
Texas Workforce Commission and Legal Framework- Transition
The National Parent Center on Transition and Employment provides information on Middle and High school planning, postsecondary education, employment, benefit programs and support, independent and community living, Laws and Rights, Health and Transition and Assistive Technology.
Got Transition aims to improve transition from pediatric to adult health care through the use of new and innovative strategies for health and professionals and youth an family.
Family Voices National Center for Family/Professional Partnerships is an organization of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities.
Great Schools.org provides information on school quality, supporting advocacy and parenting information.
Texas Youth 2 Adult provides information specific to the individual diagnosis and age of the student.
Next Steps provides a multimedia reference tool about transition IEP process.
I’m Determined focuses on providing direct instruction models and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determination and transition.
Bridging Apps is a website that searched for apps that are reviewed using standards-based assessment tools. Learn to use mobile devices to effectively target skill development.
Charting the Life Course is a framework that was developed to help individuals with disabilities and families at any age or stage of life think about what they need to know, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live. Individuals and families may focus on their current situation and stage of life but may also find it helpful to look ahead to start thinking about what they can do or learn now that will help build an inclusive productive life in the future.
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Transition and the Law
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Overview and Trajectory
Transition is a process and a journey; not an event. Transition planning leads to interdependence, allowing the person to recognize strengths, interests and needs. According to the American’s with Disability Act of 1990, “Independence is not measured by the number of tasks a person can do without assistance but the quality of life a person can lead with assistance. Past experiences influence and support future outcomes. Envisioning what you and your child want to see in the future, and what you want to avoid can create a trajectory for planning. This vision will change based on life experiences. Parents can create opportunities to support future learning and students can learn by experiencing success and perceived failures (Dignity of Risk Document).”
Charting the LifeCourse provides tools to support your child’s transition. http://www.lifecoursetools.com/principles/
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Educational Planning
Educational Planning for students projected to attend post-secondary education (College, Trade School or Military)
Checklist for Transition Planning
Resources for Educational Planning:
Pacer’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment
Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education from the US Office of Civil Rights
Lexile levels for postsecondary education
Tips for Maiking and Following Study Schedules
Develop Good Habits (Study Schedule)
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Self Determination and Self-Advocacy
Self Determination and Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself and the things that are important to you. It includes asking for the things you want and need and express your feelings and ideas. Self-determination means that the person recognizes their strengths and needs in order to determine a goal, create and evaluate a plan of action while using identified supports. Self-determination can be expressed at all ages and in many ways. A young child shows self-determination by choosing a toy, a shirt to wear, or a snack. This can be expressed by crying and throwing themselves on the floor or by having a choice presented. The parent can help the child by teaching self-determination and decreasing the emotional outbursts.
Skills associated with self-determination include choice making, self-advocacy and self-management and having self-awareness and self-knowledge.
Click HERE to view skills associated with Self Determination and Self-Advocacy.
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Agency Supports
Agency Supports List
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Healthcare Transition
Healthcare Transition
Healthcare transition is the process of getting ready for healthcare as an adult. During childhood, parents usually help with medical needs—they call for appointments, fill out forms, and keep track of medications. As youth get older, managing medical needs becomes their own responsibility. Achieving this independence requires an organized transition process to gain independent healthcare skills, prepare for an adult model of care, and transfer to new providers. There are several steps you can take to make sure the transition to adult healthcare goes smoothly. Be sure to also check out our resource section for additional information.
Link to Got Transition
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Maximizing Supplemental Security Income
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Planning for the Future with Medicaid Waivers
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Sample Trajectories
Secondary College Outcome Trajectory
Sample Trajectories (Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, Secondary/College) HTML version