Inclusion Resources
This library contains a number of audio and video tape titles you can use to teach your district or campus more about inclusive education.
Each of the state's 20 service centers has designated a consultant to address inclusive education practices.
The Arc's Information and Referral staff maintain a free, ready-to-mail packet containing the latest information and articles about inclusive education. Call 1-800-252-9729 and ask for Rona Statman.
- background information
- planning and staff development activities
- support for inclusive practices
- use of inclusive practices
- implementation of inclusive practices
- beliefs about inclusive practices
- effects of inclusive practices
- classroom teaching practices
The Manual for Parents and Students About Special Education Services in Texas
This 61-page manual is an invaluable resource for families trying to understand the Texas special education system.
The
August 2007 version of our Parent Manual, called "It's a New IDEA" The Manual for Parents and Students about Special Education Services in Texas is available in both English and Spanish online on The Arc of Texas
www.thearcoftexas.org and Advocacy, Inc.'s website
www.advocacyinc.org . This version is available in black and white or color and can be downloaded and used by anyone.
- The manual incorporates changes in the IDEA made by Congress in 2004, the Federal regulations that went into effect in October 2006 and state law changes from the 2007Texas legislative session. The Texas Education Agency will be issuing new rules that will go into effect Sept. 30, 2007. We have referenced the proposed rules in the manual and direct readers to the TEA web site, www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed for specific language of the rules and TEA Guidance documents .
We also have print versions of the manual in both English and Spanish available. To request one free copy per family of the a printed version from The Arc of Texas call 1-800-252-9729 or e-mail rstatman@thearcoftexas.org.
For a good summary and analysis of the 2004 IDEA and the regulations, go to:
www.wrightslaw.com/idea/law.htm .
Inclusion Websites:
- US Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
- OSEP resources for parent
- Texas Education Agency, Special Education
- National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
- Wrightslaw
- National Center for Secondary Education and Transition
- National Alliance for Secondary Education and Transition
- Developed by and for youth with disabilities
- What Works Clearinghouse
- Council for Exceptional Children, Information Center on Disabilities and Gifted Education
- National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum
- The Access Center, Improving outcomes for all students K-8
- National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports
- Family Center on Technology and Disability
- Consortium for Dispute Resolution in Special Education
- Partners in Education Course for Parents
- State Protection and Advocacy Organization
- Higher Education Resources
- Higher Education Resources
- OSEP
- Texas Parent Training and Information Center
- Minnesota Parent Training and Information Center
- USDOE Parent Training and Information Centers
- Center for effective Collaboration and Practice
- Center for Law and Education -Contains articles on special education and other education related topics.
- Exceptional Parent Magazine - a magazine for families and professionals.
- Families and Advocates for Partnerships in Education (FAPE) - IDEA information and promising educational practices
- Family to Family Network - provide training for parents of children with disabilities working through the public education system and also administer the Partners in Policymaking Program.
- IDEA Partners - These multi-disciplinary initiatives of the Council for Exceptional Children are funded by OSEP. The site contains links to the IDEA and its regulations and provides a wealth of information about the law.
- Inclusion Research Institute - The primary purpose of the Inclusion Research Institute (IRI) is to develop, research, and disseminate educational, therapeutic, and technological innovations that enable persons of all ages, including individuals with disabilities or other disadvantages to be independent, productive and included in schools, communities, and places of employment.
- Internet Special Education Resources - a nationwide directory that helps parents find local special education professionals and resources to help with assessment of learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder, therapy, advocacy, and other special needs.
- NCD Report: "Back to School on Civil Rights" - a report by the National Council on Disability on federal enforcement and monitoring of the implementation of IDEA nationwide, including Texas.
- Reed Martin - Attorney who provides special education information via his website and listservs.
- School Matters - compiles national performance data on the performance of schools and school districts across the country. The data is based on requirements of No Child Left Behind.
- TEA Due Process Hearing Decisions
- TEA Special Education Rules
- Texas Compliance Monitoring System - an alternative - five national experts offer a model of state education agencies to use in monitoring school district compliance with the IDEA. This became the model recommended to the Court by Advocacy, Inc. in its lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency, Angel G. v. TEA.
