October 30, 2007
9 am – 4 pm
Austin Omni Downtown
Austin, Texas
CAC Attendees
Mel Capelo, Rose Cruz, Kathy Grant, Sherri Hammack, Candy Hawks, Marjie Haynes,
Drusilla Knight-Villarreal, Shewanda Williams, Pam Willson
CAC Absentees
Priscilla S.King, Mary Helen Haines, Sharon Brown, Margaret Christen, Laura
Stough
Texas Education Agency Resources
Kathy Clayton, Richard Poe, Barbara Kaatz, Dottie Goodman, Sandy Lowe
Facilitator
Margie Sanford
Participants introduced themselves and shared from their perspective what they see as an important issue today in special education.
Meeting Purpose
Meeting Result
Minutes were reviewed by committee members. A motion was made to accept the Minutes without changes by Sherri Hammack. Motion was seconded by Marjie Haynes and Minutes were approved by all members present..
The election of chairs proceeded through the standard process. Drusilla Knight-Villarreal so moved and was seconded by Shewanda Williams. Kathy Grant was elected Chair with Mel Capelo and Pam Willson elected Vice Chairs.
Kathy Clayton shared with the group that Robert Scott was named the new Commissioner of Education on October 16, 2007.
The U.S. Department of Education issued the Determination Status for States. Texas’ Determination Status is “Needs Assistance”. Although the rating that the state received was not anticipated, there were also 40 other states who received the same rating. States are required to issue a Determination level for each Local Education Agency (LEA) in the state. For this year, determinations were based on uncorrected non-compliance more than a year old. No LEA received a status level lower than “Needs Assistance”.
States are also required to identify LEAs who have Significant Disproportionality. The basis for this identification is a data review which includes State Performance Plan (SPP) Indicators 9 and 10 and Performance Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS) Indicators 15 and 16. LEAs with Significant Disproportionality must review/revise their policies, procedures, and practices related to special education evaluation, must use 15% of their Special Education funds for Early Intervening Services, and must publically report on the revision of LEA policies, procedures, and practices.
The Commissioner’s Rules will be published by mid-November. A guidance document will accompany the posting of the Rules on the Special Education webpage.
The Texas Education Agency will establish two new statewide leadership functions related to Autism and Disproportionate Representation. Two Educational Service Centers (ESCs) will be selected to serve as state leads.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are not aligned. Upon your request, someone from the Student Assessment Division will address this issue at a future meeting.
The Procedural Safeguards and the Guide to the ARD Process are being revised and will be posted soon.
The Annual Performance Report (APR) is due February 1, 2008, to the Office of
Special Education Programs. The Agency, along with the ESCs, is currently compiling
information for this document.
The members of the CAC discussed majority versus unanimous vote and decided to abide by the majority rules decision on issues.
CAC Dialogue Time
Time was allocated for CAC members to make connections, internalize information, ask questions, and respond to items that the Agency presented.
Disproportionality/EIS Discussion
Differentiation between Disproportionate Representation and Significant Disproportionality was discussed. Early Intervening Services (EIS) which use 15% of IDEA Part-B funds was explained.
Response to Intervention (RtI) Status
TEA is in the process of hiring a director for RtI for the State which will be located in the Division of Curriculum.
Improvement Group Participation Update
Mel Capelo presented a brief overview of the Discipline and Parent Improvement Group meetings which he attended.
CAC members will receive an overview of the APR in February 2008 via Texas Education Telecommunications Network (TETN). Other CAC meetings will be held in April and July 2008.
Texas Education Agency | Division of IDEA Coordination
1701 North Congress Avenue | Austin, Texas 78701-1494
Telephone: 512.463.9414 | Fax: 512.463.9560
Created: July 29, 2008
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