Education Groups Convene in Dallas to Discuss How Best to Serve Special Needs Children, Equity, Texas Special Ed Gap

    FORT WORTH, TX, June 15, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Rethink Ed, the Texas Rural Education Association (TREA), and AASA, The School Superintendents Association are joining together to host a half-day gathering aimed to address the rapid changes in state and federal special education policies.

The AASA special session for superintendents, "What now? Rapid changes in special education, equity, and the Texas Special Education Cap," will be presented at the Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Hotel & Golf Club in Ft. Worth, Texas, Friday, June 23, 2017, from 11 am - 3 pm. Registration is required for this free event.

"Two recent decisions -- one by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that schools must offer educational programming reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress, the minimis standard is no longer appropriate (Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District), and a second decision by the Texas Education Agency to lift the 8.5 percent cap on special education -- have enormous implications for school districts, superintendents, and special educators," said Diana Frezza, Senior Vice President, Rethink Ed.

"It's a perfect storm of change," Frezza added, "requiring that all parties quickly adjust longstanding practices and policies to ensure they continue to best serve all special needs children. Key, is to ensure that all eligible students are properly identified and receive the services that they require through IDEA, as well as to prepare staff to deal with these changes."

AASA is partnering with Rethink Ed and TREA to ensure superintendents and district leaders have the information they need to address these changes in state and federal special education policies and to identify pathways to implement appropriate programs district-wide. Participants will hear from superintendents, Texas lawyers involved in the Douglas County decision and national leaders. This special AASA session is open to all superintendents who are eligible for travel or TREA summer conference registration reimbursement (up to $165).

For additional information, contact Amy Ascherman, Director of Marketing, Rethink Ed, [email protected], 646-457-7160 or Jimmy Minichello, Director - Communications and Marketing, AASA, [email protected], 703) 875-0723.

About Rethink Ed: Rethink Ed (www.rethinked.com) combines the power of technology and research to deliver innovative, scalable and evidence-based instructional materials and supports for learners with disabilities. The comprehensive suite of tools ensures that every student develops the academic, behavioral and social/emotional skills needed to succeed in school, at work, and in life. Rethink positions educators, students, and families for success.

About AASA: AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. For more information, visit http://www.aasa.org.

About The Texas Rural Education Association (TREA): TREA is the voice of all rural schools and rural communities across Texas. In an increasingly confusing system, TREA helps rural educators find and use the resources they need to educate diverse student populations.

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