Category Archives: Special Education

Attend a May 17 special education parent forum

There is one more opportunity to attend a special education forum, where parents can ask questions and provide feedback as part of a broader effort to reform special education services in the district:

Wednesday, May 17, 2017
6 to 7:30 p.m.
HISD South Field Office
4040 W. Fuqua St., Houston 77045

*(Spanish interpretations available)

Parents will be able to ask questions during the meeting, talk one-on-one with district leadership, submit questions electronically at computer stations on site, email questions in advance to SpecialEducation@HoustonISD.org, or submit questions through an online form at HoustonISD.org/SpecialEducation. Parents can also ask their child’s school for a special education comment card, fill it out, and return it to the school’s front office.

Hundreds of parents attended the first two meetings, hosted by the HISD Office of Special Education Services, which supports students with disabilities in gaining college and career readiness and independent-living skills through active engagement in grade-level curriculum.

“We are going to make sure we provide the services that children in our district need, and we are not going to be just about compliance,” HISD Chief Academic Officer Grenita Lathan told attendees. Continue reading →

HISD hosting special education parent forums 

District taking look at how to better provide services

HISD is inviting parents to three special education forums where they can ask questions and provide comments as part of a broader effort to reform special education services in the district.

The meetings will be hosted by the HISD Office of Special Education Services, which supports students with disabilities in gaining college and career readiness and independent living skills through active engagement in grade level curriculum. Continue reading →

Six HISD campuses recognized for inclusivity efforts

Honor is part of the district’s participation in Inclusive Schools Week

The HISD Office of Special Education Services is partnering with the Inclusive Schools Network to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week Dec 5-9.

Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors

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HISD celebrating Inclusive Schools Week on Dec. 5-9 

The HISD Office of Special Education Services is partnering with the Inclusive Schools Network to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week on Dec 5-9.

Schools, parents, and community members can take part in the celebration by downloading lesson plans, activities, and resources by clicking here. This year, the Inclusive Schools Week’s theme focuses on the concept of being a hero.

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Elementary students experience joy of competition during Special Olympics Field Day

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Elementary school students took the field on Thursday during final day of the fourth annual Special Olympics Field Days at Butler Stadium. Students were able to participate in a variety of sports, including a “Future Stars” event for the youngest athletes. Middle school and high school students competed last week during their own field days. The events give students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to showcase their athletic skills by taking part in fun athletic contests.

Fun, friendly competition during Special Olympics Field Day for high schools

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High school students took the field on Thursday during the fourth annual Special Olympics Field Days at Butler Stadium, participating in sports such as football, basketball, track, and soccer. The events give students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to showcase their athletic skills by taking part in fun athletic contests. Elementary school students will have their field day next week on Nov. 17, which will conclude the event this year.

Middle-schoolers compete during Special Olympics Field Day 

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The fourth annual Special Olympics Field Days, which were postponed in April because of inclement weather, are underway this this week. Middle school students participated in their event on Wednesday. High school students will participate today (Nov. 10), and elementary students will have their event on Nov. 17. The events give students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to showcase their athletic skills by taking part in fun athletic contests.

Notice of Destruction of Special Education Records 

Special Education records that have been collected by the Houston Independent School District (HISD) related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of Special Education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for a period of five years after Special Education services have ended for the student. Special Education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, completes his or her educational program at age 22, or moves from the district.

This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of HISD’s intent to destroy the Special Education records of students who are no longer receiving Special Education services as of the end of the 2010-2011 school year. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise.

After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but they may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for Social Security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request the records in writing or in person at the following address:

HISD Records Management Department
4400 W. 18th Street
Houston, Texas 77092
Phone: 713-556-6055
Fax: 713-556-7010

Requests for records must be received by December 16, 2016.

HISD-HCC Transition Program helps students with disabilities find gainful employment

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HISD has several programs to help young adults with significant disabilities transition successfully from high school to a productive adult life. In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we are featuring three of these programs. This is the third in the series. Read the first in the series, about students at the Houston Food Bank, here, and the second in the series, about students working with Texas Children’s Health plan, here.

HISD teacher Jilianne Barzilla begins her HISD-Houston Community College Transition class each morning with physical warm-up exercises to get her students’ blood flowing. After that, she grabs a large purple ball and asks them to think of three words to describe themselves. She tosses the ball to a tall young man named Patrick.

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Program trains students with developmental challenges to thrive in office environment

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HISD has several programs to help young adults with significant disabilities transition successfully from high school to a productive adult life. In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month , we are featuring three of these programs. This is the second in the series. Read the first in the series, about students at the Houston Food Bank, here.

Eleven interns arrive at their classroom in the administrative offices of the Texas Children’s Health Plan at 8:30 a.m. every morning and spend an hour with their teacher, Lisa Mangum, before fanning out to work in various departments – collating documents, making phone calls, and manning copy machines.

These young adults, ages 18-22, attended HISD high schools before being accepted into a Project SEARCH program that is training them to work in an office environment.

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