Texas ResourcesEducation leaders in other states look to Texas for guidance on providing access to the curriculum to students with IEPs. Texas is now taking the lead on accessible instructional materials and Universal Design for Learning initiatives, which are quickly spreading across the country.We want to help you accomplish your initiatives.
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Announcement:
Texas School Districts can now obtain state adopted textbooks and other core instructional materials from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) and Bookshare, for students who qualify.
View Texas Education Agency’s Timelines and Procedures for Obtaining Accessible Textbooks and Instructional Materials (70KB pdf)
RFB&D is an Authorized User of National Instructional Accessibility Center (NIMAC) for Texas Schools. Download instructions for obtaining student ready NIMAS files from Bookshare and AUIDO FILES ONLY FROM RFB&D. (82KB pdf)
Many students who will be given access to digital books will need a textreader—check out Read:OutLoud, the most flexible eBook and internet reader around!Announcement:
Don Johnston has been awarded The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN) contract! TCPN is a free service administered by the Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, Texas and provides quality contracts and services that are compliant with bid laws, convenient to use, and always competitively priced. Contact TCPN Toll Free (888) 884-7695
Standards, Assessments and Accommodations
State Standards Alignment
for Texas TEKS Standards Alignment - Click Here
Did You Know…Co:Writer can be used on STAAR, STAAR Modified and STAAR Spanish!
Visit the Texas Accommodations Page to view the protocol.
How to do STAAR-Alternative Assessment Tasks for Reading using Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters
Here are ideas and example lessons for accomplishing the STAAR-Alternative Assessment Tasks at complexity levels 1, 2 and 3. Books and tools from Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters are specifically identified to teach the skill.
Grade 3
3.4 Reading/Vocabulary Development
3.6 Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Poetry
3.16 Reading/ Media Literacy
3.19 Reading/ Comprehension Skills
Grade 4
4.2 Reading/Vocabulary Development
4.3 Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Theme and Genre
4.19 Reading/Comprehension Skills
4.11 Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Expository Text
Grade 5
5.2 Reading/Vocabulary Development
5.14 Reading/Media Literacy
5.12 Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Persuasive Text
5.19 Reading/Comprehension Skills
Grade 6
6.2 Reading/Vocabulary Development
6.6 Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Fiction
6.8 Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Sensory Language
6.12 Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Procedural Text
Grade 7
7.2 Reading/Vocabulary Development
7.3 Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Theme and Genre
7.5 Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Drama
7.10 Comprehension of Informational Text/Expository Text
Grade 8
8.2 Reading/Vocabulary Development
8.9 Comprehension of Informational Text/Culture and History
8.19 Reading/Comprehension Skills
8.10 Comprehension of Informational Text/Expository Text
Improve STAAR-Alternate Assessment Score with Literacy Starters
Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters provides intervention planning tools and age-appropriate, engaging reading materials.
The Intervention Planning Tool
The Intervention Planning Tool determines each student’s reading profile and recommends a targeted reading plan that fits the individual student's needs. Educators are guided through a variety of instructional supports and strategies based on the student’s ability level.
View a Sample Activity from the Intervention Planning Tool here
View a Building Vocabulary Activity here
Accommodations
When accommodations such as computer accessible equipment, text readers, and word prediction software are documented in the pre-planned activities, they don't affect the scoring rubric. Scores are easily increased, just by adding all accommodations that will be used to the student's pre-planned activities.
Where to Find the Activities
The Intervention Planning Tool and all of the activities referenced are included with each set of Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters. They are included on the Teacher Materials CD-ROM.
State Web Sites for Accommodations Information
Funding
Texas Funding
Texas Education Agency
William B. Travis Building
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701-1494
Phone: (512) 463-9734
Fax: (512) 463-9838
TTY: (512) 475-3540
Email: teainfo@tea.state.tx.us
DOE Website: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/
Grants Webpage: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/grants.html