001I'm really glad all of you are here. Um, we have a lot to cover today and I'm really excited about um the work we have ahead of us and how well we are going to get started on um our report. So with that, we are going to be [clears throat] reminded of our um goals as a committee. We advise TEA of unmet needs within the state in the education of children with disabilities. We comment publicly on any rules and regulations proposed by the state regarding the education of children with disabilities. We advise TEA in developing evaluations and reporting on data to the Texas secretary. We advise TEA in developing correctionive action plans to address findings identified in federal monitoring reports. We advise TEA in developing and implementing policies related to the coordination of services for
002children with disabilities. We advise TE in setting standards related to significant disable personality determination and we are required to submit a report to the legislature by annually with recommended changes to state law and agency rules relating to special education. So, I spell out some of your requirements and I need to change these dates. So, today we're going to review and approve meeting minutes from our June meeting. We'll have some tea updates hopefully if we if we have any well I hope the comments I want to hear from everyone um and then we'll have our subcommittee reports updates and we'll vote if we need to vote on anything. Um and then we'll review and improve our meeting minutes and we'll make recommendations on current matters and set future meeting topics and then we'll set our next
003meeting date. So, we have TEA updates and I don't think we have Kristen Maguire here today. We do not. But I'm going to I'm going to jump in and do the best I can for her. >> Something. >> Yes. That she's gonna feel it. Am I >> Am I able to share my screen, Amy? >> Is my uh screen sharing? Okay, now >> you should be able to now. >> Okay, perfect. >> Are you all seeing the document? >> No, see your face. >> Oh, okay. Me. All right. You see the document now? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. So, I just have a few updates today. I know that uh Kristen went over a bunch of legislative updates last time. Um and so I just have a couple of additional updates now.
004Um and one just want to start with um yesterday we held a um stakeholder panel uh in regards to Senate Bill 57 um as we are looking to update the guidelines that we put together last year in collaboration with um various stakeholders um regarding um uh emergency procedures for uh individuals with disabilities or impairments. Um, Senate Bill 57, um, requires us to, um, go back and look at those guidelines and then also to make recommendations for, um, students with disabilities or impairments in, um, particular in when it comes to school drills. And so, we had a stakeholder panel yesterday to get some feedback on that. Um, there is going to be a rule um that is going to be going through the rulemaking process. So there will be chance for public comment on that rule
005uh that incorporates um those elements of Senate Bill 537 and then we also will be updating the guidelines as well. So we held that panel yesterday um the cameras in the classroom survey. So we are required to the agency is required to collect data um relating to the installation and operation of video and audio equipment in certain special education classrooms and settings um including the number of requests that are made authorized and denied by an LEA. Um so that uh the survey will be going out uh on Monday uh and there is a window from October the 20th to December the 12th for the eleas to complete that survey. they do need to sign an assurance in in the legal framework um saying that they have completed the survey um and that will be uh
006the survey questions are questions that pertain to the 2425 school year. So we will be collecting that data and have that um by mid December by all of the eleas in the state. And then um we have two resources I just wanted to um make you aware of. So in July, uh we have a graduation and special education frequently asked questions guidance document uh that was published to the Texas bed support website um to clarify many of the questions that were coming in um uh related to graduation and special education specifically. Uh and then the Texas transition and Employment Guide was also updated this summer um and is also published to the Texas Fed support website. Um, eleas are required to post the guide in both English and Spanish on their websites. They can either
007upload it and post it as a PDF or they can link it to uh what's on the Texas Fed support website, but that was updated. Um, it's available in multiple languages. There's some new chapters. There's some updated content. And so, um, that is a resource that has already been published um, and available for eleas um, at the beginning of the school year. And then due to um a lot due to legislation, but some not due to legislation, we are busy with our rulemaking calendar. Uh and so there are several rules that we have that are coming uh up for public comment um at the end of the month. And so I have some of those listed out here. And then uh there are several more that are coming in November. And then there are some
008also as I scroll down um there are some more that are coming um soon. We don't have a public comment window established yet, but they are coming soon. And then we also in addition to all of these, we also have some that are going to be starting to roll out in December and January and February. And so we are busy uh with the rule making side of things, but of course all of the special education rules we have two public hearings for. Uh and then um also the public comment window as well. So there will be plenty of opportunity to comment on these various rules as they are going through the rule making process. That is all of my updates for today. Well, thank you very much for those updates. >> Um, [clears throat] >>
009can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> Hi. Um, I'm asking a question specifically on dyslexia. I was in training this summer in 21 and I noticed that a lot of the schools in that region were using an AI um instruction and I'll tell you a little bit about it because I'm very familiar. The students log on, they take a test and it places them in the majority of the instruction was done in by artificial intelligence. Um and I know that this is a state last question as far as concerned it's supposed to be direct in that program that was how many schools in the district but I know in region there were >> and I'm not even going to mention the schools but they So is there to track but I'm concerned that some
010of the districts are still using AI instead of >> direct instruction by a teacher. >> So I am having a really hard time hearing you if there's a large echo. Um, is it possible for you either uh are you in the are you in person? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. So, I wonder if there's other people in the room maybe that need to mute their mic because it's echoing. Um or if you want to type it out into the chat and I can respond to you here in a little bit. >> Okay. Can you hear me now? >> Okay. Yes. Much better. >> Sorry. Yes, we're not close, but we are close. We're in the same room. Um, I went to a training during the summer. Uh, I'm I teach dyslexia in region one. And,
011uh, I want to say that there were more than 10 schools that were using an AI program, which is an application, uh, which lacks the direct instruction. I know that that doesn't happen in every district uh, in throughout Texas, but I know that in our region it was very, very common. I'm not even going to mention the schools, but I know that there were more than 10 schools there. I want to say there were more than 15. Uh so out of those school districts were using that artificial intelligence application that had very limited or no uh direct instruction of students in in regards to dyslexia instruction which is mandated by the handbook. So my question is does TA track what the schools are using and if not would it be possible? I know that they
012track what they use for other forms of instruction through DMAC. Uh and one of the reasons is that I'm concerned that the students that are uh if you were diagnosed with dyslexia, it's like being diagnosed with something else. Unless you're you're actually doing what you're supposed to be doing, you're never going to get any better. And it saddens me when I see a student that has dyslexia that hasn't got that direct instruction tell me, miss, I want to just be holding them so I can drop out of school because I've had it more than once. And I I know that there's some very good schools that that I've spoken to people in other areas that have had wonderful programs. Maybe it's not throughout the state, but I know that the smaller school districts that don't
013have a qualified person trained in dyslexia were using that. And honestly, you can form a group because there were there was no limit as far as groups were concerned. And that happened to me. They wanted me to have a group of 16 students for dyslexia. You're talking about the the more severe that's a general classroom. You know, some teachers had less students than that in a general ed classroom. So, I'm concerned about the students that are getting instruction by an artificial intelligence uh program that does have no direct instruction and no feedback from an from an individual. I love it AI. I I used it, but I know that sometimes I need that direct and that's why I'm here in person. Um so, uh maybe tracking it if you don't track So, I um yes,
014I I understand what you're saying. I wrote down um your concerns and thank you for voicing that. Um that is something that I want to go back and talk to our dyslexia team about um and get some more information for you um regarding that because I know that things are constantly changing and um and uh so I just I want to be able to give you the um accurate information so I will get with them and I can get back with you. Does anybody have any other questions? >> Uh, yes. This is Kevin with TWWC. Can you hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >> Great. Great. I just had a a quick question regarding the uh updates that you mentioned to the transition and employment guide. Is there any type of summary or synopsis of of
015what changes or revisions went into the guide? >> Yes. So, if you go to the if you click on the link for the Texas Fed support website, um there will be a summary of that um and along with a lot of other resources when it when it comes to the guide. >> Perfect. Perfect. Thanks. I'll check that out. Thank you. I have one more question if there isn't a question from anyone else. Um, what are y'all seeing in terms of the implementation of the [clears throat] new behavioral guidelines for um, school suspensions for I guess can you clarify that a little bit I know that we're tracking um school suspension. We're continuing to track the school suspension data. I'm just wondering if there's a more over there more to that question. Try again. >> You're
016coming through on the We can hear you. >> Okay. So y'all can hear me, but I can't hear anybody. Did you lower your >> Laura? Can you say something to see if we can hear you over here? >> Yes. Can you hear me? >> No, I can't. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. So, next on our agenda would be It looks like we have public comment if there's any. I I did check the uh CSSE mailbox and there's not any things submitted through the mailbox. >> Um we do not have any members of the public here in the room today. So, um, with that, um, I guess we can close public comment. So, next we have our legislative updates. And I'm just going to touch on a few things that we went over last
017time. So, the ESAs um are launching for the next school year. Um those were signed uh the Caitlyn Hanley Act, um schools have to refer families to the um the local ID authority for eligibility determination and um that's being implemented Do you need to share your screen, Amy? I think you had some slides. But we're not seeing them. I just realized that. >> Perfect. It's going. Yes. Perfect. We see it now. >> Okay. So now I'm going to go to TLLO so that we can see what else that was on his desk last time. That sign or not? It was passed and it's a plan for the improvement of earning early learning opportunities for kids with disabilities. face. So, SP 568 And that one also passed [clears throat] and it was about funding for special
018education. or a set a service intensity model versus a setting intensity model. SP57 passed. Um, and I know that because I was on the committee meeting yesterday with our liaison Laura about how to implement it. Anybody have any questions so far? Amen. SP1952 is gives HHSD control of the school health and related services effectively. HP6 had um changes to school discipline management and access to teleaalth mental health services in public schools. And everyone's been talking a lot about HB6 lately. And then we have all the bills that failed fast that we talked about last time. So, Laura, anything we need to add before we move on to our next agenda item? >> No. So, as far as our new legislative report, did any of our subcommittees meet since the last meeting [clears throat] or did
019anyone individually have anything they want to bring to the subcommittees. >> Um Amy, I respectfully request to be I'll stay in the same committees, but I need to step down from being the chair. Um >> Okay. >> I I know that I am uh getting more training in dyslexia to work with my students. So that's taking a lot of my time. >> Okay. Is there anyone from your committee, your subcommittee that you would like to request? >> I respectfully request and I know that Tara is probably going to hate me, but I think she's wonderful in this. So, for the dyslexia one, I would recommend Tara if she's willing. >> Yes, I'll I'll do the dyslexia one. >> Thank you, Tara. I'll stay in the group, but thank you so much. Okay, sure. Okay, let
020me rephrase the question. Are are there current issues that you think belong in a subcommittee that you were a part of? As a reminder, our subcommittees are finance, health and safety, staffing, behavior, which is which will be interesting given HP6, digital literacy, dyslexia, justice. So, anybody have anything that's come up since our last meeting that might fit into those? Amy, could you share the slide when we have the members? That way I can put them in the minutes and that's why it's not hard or we don't do that yet. >> Uh, I can do that. >> That way I can put them in the minutes. That way we can refresh on that day and there's no question as to who belongs to whom. I know that we do have a lot of people that are
021absent today but that can be added on later on. >> Correct. Um yeah, Laura, um if I send the link to you, can you send the slideshow to everyone? >> Yes, of course. >> Is it going to work? >> Yeah, we um we're not supposed to do official member business in the chat. I can use [clears throat] >> I do think that there's been a lot discussed Um given the beginning of school um among parents about being nervous about the new behavior climate. Um, so I do think there might be some more data than usual or um, you know, anecdotal evidence we can put in the report. on that. And I do think that SB um will give us um All right. >> Sort of a jumping off point for new recommendations for health and
022safety this time. [clears throat] Amy, let's do this because I I I I never got the the link to your PowerPoint. Can you just post it that way? I can get the names of the people in each committee. >> Yeah. >> Can you share it online right now? I can do that. >> Uh yeah, Laura, can you um share the link with the committee, please? >> Yes. Did you As long as you share it online, I can see and I can type it into the minutes. >> Did you send me the link, Amy? I'm not seeing it. >> I'm sending it to you now. Yes. No, you're not. Perfect. Yes, just got it. And I will send it and we're keeping the same digital access and all those. >> Uh that's what we voted on
023last time. Yes. >> Okay. But it doesn't necessarily mean that all of those are going to make it into the report. It's depends on if there's much to say. There are subcommittee meetings. Subcommittee Now again, Laura, I have a question. [clears throat] >> Do we have any updates on the governor appointing new members? >> Adrian, >> yes. So, I reached out to them um and we are we do not have anybody for um we don't have any applications for parents and so that's something that we're going to continue to publicize um and try and get a parent get some parent members. >> Okay. And I make a suggestion as chair that our subcommittee chairs try to set a date for subcommittee meetings um within the next week with your group. Please. It's 30. Thank you.
024I thank all the subcommittee members already. [clears throat] We have nine committee subcommittees. >> Yes. So far, but we can reduce them besides there's not enough of us to go around. Um Laura, do we have to vote on We don't have to vote on chairs of subcommittees, do we? No, I do not believe so. Okay. So, um Jamie, do you want to share your screen so we can go over the minutes? >> So, are we done? um everything except um new agenda items which we usually do after the minutes. Okay, let me share again. Oh, and [clears throat] Jamie, all those bills that were on the governor's desk, they're no longer on the governor's desk. They've been signed last time they were on the governor's. >> So, there's how to say like educational bills in
025uh signed bills. Most importantly, the subcommittee members Do do all members have to be in the committee? Me committee? >> I think so. Are we missing somebody? >> No, I'm just asking. I'll go back and check. >> Adrian, do you want to be in charge of staffing? I'm already in charge of funding. Thank you. [clears throat] That's not hard for me. So that's fine. I think the only thing I see that's missing so far is that I suggested that [clears throat] um subcommittee chairs try to contact their other members um within a week so that we can schedule some community meetings. >> So I don't know if we want to put that in the minutes or not. >> Okay. So I'll go ahead and put it. >> Okay. Um, between your Friday is good for
026you. Are you still having issues with staffing or not? Um, [clears throat] with that, um, does would someone like to make the motion that we approve the minutes as edited? >> I make a motion to approve the minutes as edited. >> And I have a second. >> I second. Yes, I second. >> Who was the second? >> Lori. >> Thank you, Lori. >> You're welcome. Are we approving the minutes? >> Uh, all in favor? >> Iost So approving the minutes is unanimous. Um [clears throat] would anyone like to propose new topics for the next meeting? I would like a presentation from DEA about um how the new behavioral um guidelines for teachers and suspensions are being implemented. >> And how what Amy, I'm sorry, I didn't catch >> the new behavioral guidelines for um suspensions
027and pathways back to the classrooms are being implemented. And this is Tara. I'm going to recommend um a presentation from TEA just on an update um on dyslexia identification since we moved from 504 to sped um and any other data that they can [clears throat] can supply. I would like to see if TAA keeps track of uh students, teachers ratio ratio for um for self-contained units or for that are not in the classroom because I know that I don't uh students ratio with a teacher in when it comes to students in self I guess self-contained classrooms. >> Yeah. >> Ric classrooms. I don't know what they're called. They keep changing. Jamie, on mine, can you just make sure what the last time we received a dyslexia identification update from TEA was when it was still
028housed under 504 and now that it's housed under SPE? I just want to see those variances. Um, I see Laura shaking her head. Yes, but just for the the notes just in case we forget. Thank you. Is that better? >> Yes. Thank you. Um, may I make a statement? This is Diana Nelson. Go ahead. Um, so I I work with the Texas Juvenile Justice System and I don't know how we would get information from TEA or others about training or advocating for our youth that end up in a correctional setting that are sped eligible. Our trend is increasing. Uh we're currently up to about 80 well I shouldn't say numbers but I'll say percentages about um 38 39% of the students that end up adjudicated to a lockdown facility. Um and and I don't know
029where the training would lie if it would lie with um legislators with with others that could really um maybe try different settings for some of our students, but the numbers seem to be really increasing. When I first started seven years ago, eight years ago in this position, we had 32% roughly 31 32% a third and uh at times it it rises up to about 39%. >> Wow. >> And so that's that's a big number and it's uh it's it it's I know they've committed crimes. I mean, I I'm not I'm just how do we how do we advocate or how do we catch them uh in a in a school setting uh prior to them being incarcerated uh for felonies and ba and basically we serve students that have committed felonies in our setting? Um,
030that's a really good question and a really big question and >> it's a big question. It's a big concern. Um, so I I'm glad you're telling us that you want to explore that topic now because now now that we know early, we can spend some time trying to find the right person to uh discuss that topic with us. So thank you for that. >> Thank you. Speaking of um before our next meeting, Laura, do we have a general time frame that we want to hold the next meeting? >> [clears throat] >> Yes, I was looking at a few dates um in January. January the 21st or the 28th if one of those works. >> The 28th. >> The 21st or the 28th. >> The 21st. If that's what I'm suggesting. >> Yeah, that's fine, too.
031That works for me. Um, both of those work for me. So, um, Laura, do you want to check >> both dates? next CAC meeting first January 21st or January 28th, >> right? And then Laura will get back to us. Both both work. >> Yeah, the 21st will not work for me. The 28th I could make work. >> I'm good with the 28th for the 28th. >> Okay, >> that's fine with me. That >> works out perfectly for me. I was going to cancel a doctor's appointment, but the 28th is great. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. I'm I move that we officially schedule the next CAC meeting for January 28th, 2026. Can I have a second? [clears throat] >> Jane Melinda seconds that date. >> All approved. I >> I any >> or any [clears
032throat] >> I >> any of those. All right. Garies. Can I have a motion to adjourn? One second. a second. That's the story. >> Okay. Well, thank you very much for your participation today. And with that we are returning today's meeting of the continuing advisor committee