Special Programs
Special Education
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that makes a free, appropriate public education available to eligible children with disabilities. Speech services fall under Special Education, as can Dyslexia. Each admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee is made up of parents, teachers, special education staff, and an administrator.
Section 504
Section 504 covers qualified students with disabilities who attend schools receiving Federal financial assistance. To be protected under Section 504, a student must be determined to:(1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or (2) have a record of such an impairment, or (3) be regarded as having such an impairment. Section 504 requires that school districts provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) to qualified students in their jurisdictions who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
TEA Resources: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/section-504
Emergent Bilingual
Students that hear or speak a language other than English at home are monitored for English language proficiency. At the SHSU Charter School, we support this with the ESL (English as a Second Language) Program. The ESL Program ensures all EB students receive content instruction from an ESL-certified educator. Our goal for EB students is to promote high academic English language proficiency while still maintaining mastery of their native language. A parent representative is required for the LPAC Committee each year.
Gifted and Talented
The state's goal for GT students is to ensure that students who participate in GT services demonstrate self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication skills. GT students develop innovative products and sophisticated performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are targeted to an audience outside the classroom. The SHSU Charter School begins GT screening at the end of 2nd grade. Students in 3rd-6th grade participate in supplemental activities during the fall and spring semesters.
Gifted and Telented Manual 2023-2024
TEA Resources: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/gifted-and-talented-education
HB 4545
House Bill 4545 eliminated grade retention and STAAR retesting requirements in grades 5 and 8. It also requires schools to provide 30 hours of accelerated instruction and/or tutoring for any STAAR subject test that a student didn’t pass during the previous year. Parents have the authority to opt in or opt out of 4545 interventions for their child. Parents will receive information regarding 4545 tutorings when STAAR results from 2023 become available.
Response to Intervention (RTI)
RTI is an approach that schools use to help all students, including struggling learners. The RTI approach gives Texas students opportunities to learn and work at their grade level to help all students be successful. RTI can be used to support academic or behavioral concerns, and can also target needs for additional future evaluations. Students receiving RTI support are eligible for unique state assessment accommodations for STAAR and TELPAS.
2021 Dyslexia Handbook Updates - English 2021 Dyslexia Handbook Updates - Español
Delayed or Denied Evaluations & Compensatory Services - Englishl Delayed or Denied Evaluations & Compensatory Services - Español
Child Find Poster - English Child Find Poster - Español
2021 TEA Dyslexia handbook
SB139, Notice to Families - English
TEA Special Student Populations - Resources
Partner Resource Network
Gifted and Talented Manual 2023-2024