Leaving a Clear Trail:
Special Education
Graduation
Texas Secondary
Transition/ Post-School
Results Network
What is the purpose of the
‘Leaving a Clear Trail’ training?
• To facilitate educators’ understanding
– federal and state requirements for decisionmaking
– documentation of a student’s high school program
in the individual education program (IEP)
– graduation options
– other educational records to ensure accurate
academic achievement records
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Leaving a Clear Trail
Texas Graduation Requirements
• Credit
and Curriculum
Requirements
Individual
Education
Program (IEP)
• MHSP
IEP Special
Requirements
• •RHSP
Education Graduation Options
Course of study
• •DAP
• Graduation
Options
• Assessment
Requirements
Educational
Records
• TAKS • Participation in Ceremonies
• Transcripts
of
Performance
(SOP)
Academic
Achievement
Record
• STAAR• Summary
• Confidentiality
• Minimum Standards
• PEIMS Codes
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
IDEA 2004
Purpose of Special Education
“To ensure that all children have available to
them a free and appropriate public education
that emphases special education and related
services designed to meet their unique needs
and prepare them for further education,
employment, and independent living.”
34 CFR §300.1(a)
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Leaving a Clear Trail
Part 1
Texas Graduation Requirements
Individual Education Program (IEP)
Special Education
Graduation Options
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
TexasTexas
Graduation
Graduation Requirements
Requirements
• Credit and Curriculum
Requirements
19 TAC §74
• Texas Assessment Program
Requirements
19 TAC §101.5
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
All students must meet…
credit and curriculum
requirements
AND
assessment requirements
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
TexasTexas
Graduation
Graduation Requirements
Requirements
Credit and Curriculum
Requirements
19 TAC §74
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Texas Graduation Requirements
• All students must meet credit and curriculum
requirements for their enrolled grade level
• Three graduation programs
– Minimum High School Program (MHSP)
– Recommended High School Program (RHSP)
– Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP)
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Texas Graduation Requirements
Essential Resources and Guidance
• TEA Guidance on Graduation
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/graduation.aspx
– Graduation Requirements side-by-side
– Frequently Asked Questions, Vol. 1
– Benefits of the Recommended High School
Program
– Minimum High School Program Opt-In Agreement
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
TexasTexas
Graduation
Graduation Requirements
Requirements
Texas Assessment Program
Requirements
19 TAC §101.5
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Texas Assessment Program
Requirements for ALL students
• All students are required to
participate in the state assessments
administered at the student’s
enrolled grade level
19 TAC §101.5
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Available State Assessments
Beginning 2011-2012
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/
• Grades 3 – 8 and 9
• Grades 10 and 11
–
–
–
–
STAAR
STAAR Modified
STAAR L in English
Spanish (grades 3-5)
• Grades 3 – 11
– STAAR Alternate
– TAKS
– TAKS Accommodated
– TAKS Modified
• Grade 12 (Exit level
retest)
– TAKS or TAKS
Accommodated
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
STAAR End-of-Course (EOC)
English
Math
Science
Social Studies
World
Geography
English I
Algebra I
Biology
03220105
03220107
03100505
03100507
03010205
03010207
English II
Geometry
Chemistry
World History
03220105
03220107
03100705
03100707
03040005
03040007
03340405
03340407
English III
Algebra II
Physics
U.S. History
03220105
03220107
03100605
03100607
03050005
03050007
03340105
03340107
03320105
03320107
Not available for modified or alternate assessments
Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
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Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education
State Assessment Options
Federal Requirements for
the Assessment of
Students with Disabilities
General assessment
(with or without
accommodations)
State Assessment Options for...
Students in grades
10–12 in 2011–2012
Students in grades 3–8 and
entering grade 9 in 2011–12
TAKS;
STAAR™
TAKS (Accommodated)
Alternate assessment based
on modified academic
achievement standards
Alternate assessment based
on alternate academic
achievement standards
TAKS–Modified
STAAR™ Modified
STAAR™ Alternate
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education Participation in
Statewide Assessments
• All students must participate
• All students are tested based on enrolled
grade-level standards
• Assessment decisions must be based on
curriculum and instruction
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Texas Graduation Requirements
• In Texas, there is ONE diploma for all students.
• Individual accomplishments, achievements,
and courses completed are recorded on the
Academic Achievement Record (AAR).
19 TAC §74.14
• Grade of 70 or above is required for award of
credit for graduation.
19 TAC §74.26
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
IEP’s
and the
CourseProgram
of Study
Individual
Education
(IEP)
IEP Requirements
Course of Study
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Individual Education Program
“a written statement for each child with a disability
that is developed, reviewed, and revised in a
meeting”
34 CFR §300.320
Individual Education
Program
Admission, Review and
Dismissal
• Federal definition
• Formal, written, legally
binding plan for providing
special education services
• State process
• The committee and meeting
responsible for developing
and reviewing IEPs
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Content of the IEP
• Transition assessments
• Present levels of
academic and functional
performance (PLAAFP)
• Measurable postsecondary goals
• Measurable annual goals
• Progress monitoring and
reporting
• Special education, related
services, supplementary
aids and services
• Transition services
• Course of study
• Participation with nondisabled peers
• Accommodations on
state/district assessments
34 CFR §300.320
Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
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Texas Education Agency 2012
Curriculum and Instruction
Access to General
Curriculum
• To what extent is the
student able to master the
general education
curriculum?
– PLAAFP
– Transition assessments
– Content modifications
– Accommodations for
instruction and
assessment
Least Restrictive
Environment
• What is the most
appropriate setting in which
to provide instruction?
– General Education
– Career and Technical
Education
– Special Education
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Content Modifications
Change WHAT is taught or assessed
• Practices and procedures that change the
nature of the task or target skill
• Instruction is based on grade level content
with changes to student expectations
– The range of content to be mastered
– Depth or complexity of understanding
– Prerequisite skills
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Instructional Accommodations
Change HOW content is taught, made
accessible, and/or assessed
• Changes to instructional materials, procedures, or
techniques that allow a student with disabilities to
participate in grade-level/course instruction and
testing
• Are intended to reduce or even eliminate the effects
of student’s disability but do not reduce learning
expectations
• Should be used routinely, independently,
and effectively by the student
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
IEP Resources
• The Legal Framework for the Child
Centered Special Education Process
http://framework.esc18.net
– A Guide to the ARD Process
• State Guidance: Individualized Education Program
(IEP) Annual Goal Development
http://portal.esc20.net/portal/page/portal/esc20pub
lic/SpecialEducation/AGCHome/AGCStatewideLeader
ship
•
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Economic Benefits of Reducing High
School Dropout Rates
Alliance for Excellent Education www.all4ed.org
Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
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Texas Education Agency 2012
Earning Credit for Graduation
• Traditional classroom
instruction
• Articulated credit
(high school course credit that
counts towards a college
program)
• Dual enrollment
(college course credit applied
to high school graduation)
• Distance learning
• Correspondence
courses
• Credit by examination
• Credit recovery
programs
Consult with your school
counselor for guidance
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Developing a Course of Study
• Individual Education
Program
– PLAAFP and Goals
• Content of instruction
• 4/6 year plan
• Coherent sequence
– Schedule of Services
• Courses and related
services
• Course enrollments
– Determined by the ARD
committee
– Based on subjects or
courses listed on the
schedule of services
page in the IEP
– Reflected in student
class schedule and the
AAR
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Sample
Course of Study (4/6 year plan)
Student:
District/campus:
Post-high school plans
Date:
Year entered 9th
grade
Graduation program
Revised:
Expected graduation
(mm/yy)
State Assessment
 Technical training
 Employment
 Minimum
 TAKS EXIT
 Two year college
 Military
 Recommended
 STAAR EOC
 Four year college
 Other
 Distinguished
Grade 9 (year___)
Credits
Grade 10 (year___)
Credits
Grade 11 (year___)
Credits
Grade 12 (year___)
Credits
* Modified content
# Articulated
+ Dual credit
~ Other credit
CTE Career Clusters
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Coherent sequence of courses
• Coherent sequence of courses means “a series of
courses in which vocational and academic
education are integrated, and which directly
relates to, and leads to, both academic and
occupational competencies.”
34 CFR 400.4(b)
Vocational and Applied Technology Education Programs—General Provisions
Coherent
Sequence
2 or more CTE courses
for 3 or more credits
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Course of
Study
(4/6 year plan)
Class
Schedule
IEP
AAR
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education
Education Graduation
Special
GraduationOptions
Options
• Chapter 89.1070 of the Commissioner’s Rules
defines the graduation options for students
receiving special education services
• A student receiving special education services
can earn a high school diploma in one of four
ways
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education
Graduation Options
Students who entered
grade 9 in
2011-12 and thereafter.
Essential Resources and Guidance
• TEA Guidance – Special Education Graduation
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/idea/gradguidance/
– Texas Administrative Code §89.1070
– Participation in Graduation Ceremonies
– Frequently Asked Questions
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education
Graduation Options
89.1070
(b)(1)
Students who entered
grade 9 in
2011-12 and thereafter.
• Credit and curriculum
requirements for RHSP
or DAP
• Satisfactory
performance on state
assessments
• Summary of
Performance (SOP)
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education
Graduation Options
89.1070
(b)(2)
Students who entered
grade 9 in
2011-12 and thereafter.
• Credit and curriculum
requirements for MHSP
• Participation in state
assessments
• Summary of Performance
(SOP)
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education
Graduation Options
89.1070
(b)(3)
Students who entered
grade 9 in
2011-12 and thereafter.
• Credit and curriculum
requirements for MHSP
• Modified or alternate
content aligned to
grade-level standards
• Participation in state
assessments
• Summary of
Performance (SOP)
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education
Graduation Options
Students who entered
grade 9 in
2011-12 and thereafter.
• IEP completion
89.1070
(b)(3)
cont.
AND
• Full-time employment
OR
• Specific employability skills
OR
• Access to services
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education
Graduation Options
89.1070
(b)(4)
Students who entered
grade 9 in
2011-12 and thereafter.
• No longer meets age
eligibility requirements
• Has completed
requirements specified
in the IEP
• Participation in state
assessments
• Summary of
Performance (SOP)
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Summary of Performance
• All students graduating under
this section shall be provided
with a summary of academic
achievement and functional
89.1070 performance
(c)
– Views of the parent and student
– Written recommendations from
adult service agencies
– An evaluation for students
graduating under 89.1070(b)(3)
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Certificate of Attendance and
Participation in Ceremonies
“A school district shall issue a certificate of attendance to a
student who receives special education services…and who
has completed four years of high school but has not
completed the student's individualized education program.
A school district shall allow a student who receives a
certificate to participate in a graduation ceremony with
students receiving high school diplomas. A student may
participate in only one graduation ceremony.”
TEC 28.025(f)
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Evaluation Requirements
89.1070
(d)
• Students who participate in
graduation ceremonies but
who are not graduating
under subsection (b)(3) of
this section and who will
remain in school to complete
their education do not have
to be evaluated in
accordance with subsection
(c) of this section.
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education
Other Graduation Provisions
89.1070
(e)
• Employability and self-help skills
referenced under subsection (b)(3) of this
section are those skills directly related to
the preparation of students for
employment, including general skills
necessary to obtain or retain employment.
• For students who receive a diploma
according to subsection (b)(3) of this
section, the ARD committee shall
89.1070
determine needed educational services
(f)
upon the request of the student or parent
to resume services, as long as the student
meets the age eligibility requirements.
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Implications of Instructional and
Assessment Decisions in the IEP
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Graduation Flowcharts
TAKS
• ARD Committee
TAKS Flowchart A
Resources for the Texas • Students who entered
Assessment Program
grade 9 in 2008–2009
• TAKS Graduation
Flowcharts
TAKS Flowchart B
http://www.tea.state.tx.
us/student.assessment/ • Students who entered
grade 9 prior to the
ard/#grad_req
2008–2009 school year
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Graduation Flowcharts
STAAR
STAAR Flowcharts
• ARD Committee
Resources for the Texas • Students entering grade
9 in 2011-2012 and
Assessment Program
thereafter
• Special Education
– All assessments
Graduation Flowcharts
http://www.tea.state.tx.
– STAAR
us/student.assessment/
– STAAR Modified
ard/#grad_req
– STAAR Alternate
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Implication of decisions
• For elementary and middle school
students, instructional and assessment
decisions made now may impact a
student’s graduation options in high
school
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Implication of decisions
• For a student taking EOC assessments, if the
student is enrolled in a course with a PEIMS
number that indicates coursework is modified,
the student must graduate under the MHSP
Modified
coursework
and
assessment
Minimum
High School
Program
NO auto
admission into
Texas 4-YR
Universities
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
IEP
• Curriculum
• Instruction
• Assessment
Graduation
Options
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Leaving a Clear Trail
Part 2
Education Records
Academic Achievement
Record (AAR)
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Educational
Records
Education
Records
• Transcripts
• Confidentiality
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Texas Education Agency 2012
Definitions: Transcripts
• Transcripts are the permanent record of a
student’s high school program and are
generally intended to inform postsecondary
institutions or prospective employers of a
student’s academic credentials and
achievements
• In Texas, transcripts are referred to as the AAR
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Texas Education Agency 2012
Confidentiality
FERPA
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
• Protects privacy of educational records, including
report cards and transcripts
• Rights of parent/adult student to
– Inspect and review records
– Request corrections to records
– Release information from records
US Department of Education FERPA Guidance
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
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Confidentiality
IDEA 2004
“Each participating agency must protect
the confidentiality of personally
identifiable information at collection,
storage, disclosure, and destruction
stages.”
§300.623(a)
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Education Records
Essential Resources and Guidance
• US Department of Education, Office for Civil
Rights
– OCR Questions and Answers, 2008
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters
/colleague-qa-20081017.html
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
AcademicAchievement
AchievementRecord
Record(AAR)
(AAR)
Academic
• 2012 Minimum Standards for the Academic
Achievement Record
– State requirements for recording on the AAR
individual student accomplishments,
achievements, and courses taken to meet the
requirements for graduation
– http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=5974
– PEIMS Data Standards
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/peims/
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
AcademicAchievement
AchievementRecord
Record(AAR)
(AAR)
Academic
1.4 Diploma and Certificate of
Completion
1.5 Seals to Indicate Completion of
Graduation Programs
1.7 Course Numbers and Titles
1.10 Corrections
1.13 Student Data
1.14 Restrictions Regarding Student
Data
1.15 Record of Courses and Credits
Earned
1.16 Special Explanation Codes
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=5974
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
PEIMS Graduation Type Codes
• PEIMS Data
Standards
• CO62 Table –
Graduation Type
Codes
High School Programs, Curriculum,
State Assessments, Special Education
Graduation Options and Codes
Alignment Chart
– Graduation program
– Special education
graduation options
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Education Graduation
Sample Coordination Form
• High school program
(MHSP, RHSP, DAP)
• Curriculum and Credit
Requirements
• State Assessment
• Graduation option
(89.1070)
• PEIMS Graduation Type
Code
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Next Steps
• Explore current district policies and
procedures for credit and curriculum
requirements for the MHSP, RHSP, and DAP
• Determine communication procedures
between ARD committees, counselors,
administration, and PEIMS
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Texas Education Agency 2012
For more information visit our website
www.transitionintexas.org
Texas Education Agency
Division of Federal and State
Education Policy
Austin, Texas
www.tea.state.tx.us
ESC Region XI
Statewide Leadership
Fort Worth, Texas
www.esc11.net
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012
Copyright © Notice
The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency
(TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, except under the
following conditions:
Texas public school districts, charter schools, and Education Service Centers may reproduce and use
copies of the Materials and Related Materials for the districts’ and schools’ educational use without
obtaining permission from TEA.
Residents of the state of Texas may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials
for individual personal use only without obtaining written permission of TEA.
Any portion reproduced must be reproduced in its entirety and remain unedited, unaltered and
unchanged in any way.
No monetary charge can be made for the reproduced materials or any document containing them;
however, a reasonable charge to cover only the cost of reproduction and distribution may be
charged.
Private entities or persons located in Texas that are not Texas public school districts, Texas Education
Service Centers, or Texas charter schools or any entity, whether public or private, educational or noneducational, located outside the state of Texas MUST obtain written approval from TEA and will be
required to enter into a license agreement that may involve the payment of a licensing fee or a
royalty.
For information contact: Office of Copyrights, Trademarks, License Agreements, and Royalties, Texas
Education Agency, 1701 N. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701-1494; phone 512-463-9270 or 512-4639437; email: copyrights@tea.state.tx.us
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Texas Education Agency 2012
Special Note for Secondary Transition
Post-School Results Network Member
• These slides are provided by TEA through the
Secondary Transition/Post-School Results
Network for training of local district personnel
• If any slide is amended or revised for use in
local trainings, please remove the Secondary
Transition/Post-School Results Network footer
at the bottom of the slide
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Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network
Texas Education Agency 2012