As we move into the third quarter of the 2025–2026 school year, we’re excited to share updates, resources, and upcoming events to help keep you connected and supported.

Our Family Connections newsletter is sent to your inbox four times a year with monthly updates when needed to keep you informed about important opportunities, tools, and services throughout the school year.

Special Education Progress Reports

Progress reports for students receiving special education services will be provided by case managers by the end of the day, January 9, 2026. Please reach out to your student's case manager if you have any questions regarding their progress on IEP goals.

💡 IEP Focus: Understanding the PLAAFP Statement

The PLAAFP (pronounced PLAF-P) statement is the cornerstone of your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). It stands for Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance.

What is the PLAAFP statement?

The PLAAFP statement is essentially a current snapshot of your child's learning and skills. It summarizes:

Every goal, service, accommodation, and modification in the IEP must be directly connected to a need identified in the PLAAFP statement.

How Can I Contribute as a Parent?

You are your child's first and best expert! Your input is a legal and critical part of the PLAAFP statement development. We rely on your perspective to get the full picture.

We encourage you to share information in these areas:

Sharing this information helps the ARD team write a truly individualized plan that supports your child across all environments!

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees approved the Recommended School Closures & Programmatic Reassignments Plan on November 20, 2025. This plan is a strategic effort to address the district's significant budget deficit by consolidating schools and aligning resources to support students. Please access the Special Education and Health Services – School Consolidation: Next Steps & Community Updates document to read the detailed plan and FAQ for Special Education.  

Core Commitment for Special Education Services

Austin ISD is committed to an inclusive approach to Special Education. Our core commitment is to ensure the continuity, equity, and quality of services outlined in every student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). It is important to remember that special education is defined as a set of services and supports, not a specific location. 

Special Education Transition Goals and Continuity of Services

The goals for the transition plan are centered on minimizing disruption and ensuring services remain consistent:

Maintain Service Continuity: Guarantee that all services, accommodations, and supports stipulated in student IEPs are delivered without interruption, regardless of campus reassignment or centralized placement changes.

Ensure Equitable Staffing: Review and adjust special education teacher and teacher assistant allocations to equitably meet the needs of all students attending the receiving campuses. No reductions to special education positions are planned. Special education staff will be allocated equitably across all receiving campuses to meet student needs effectively.

Facilitate Successful Student and Staff Transitions: Implement structured transition activities, such as campus visits and established routines, to minimize disruption for students being reassigned.

Provide Proactive and Transparent Communication: Give timely, specific, and direct communication to families of students receiving special education services, particularly those whose placements or services are impacted by centralization.

IEP and ARD Committee Decisions

All students will maintain access to the services and support outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), regardless of any changes to the location of services.

The Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee will continue to make all decisions regarding each student’s special education services. Families may request an ARD at any time to review their child’s services and supports.

Families whose children are receiving specialized services (e.g., Lifeskills, ECSE, SCORES, or SBS) at campuses that are consolidated will be notified in the Spring if their child is projected to attend a school other than their re-assigned school. An ARD will be scheduled to support this transition by May 2026.

For more detailed information about the consolidation process, timelines, and general decisions, please visit the Austin ISD School Consolidation website. 

Sessions are in English. To request interpretation in Spanish or any other language (including ASL), you must register 24 hours in advance. Please RSVP using this link: tinyurl.com/33u78ec7

📅 Wednesday, January 7, 2026

📣 Talk the Talk: Communication Strategies for Life After Graduation!

Presented by Courtney Gregori & Judith Leblanc

Don't miss this powerhouse partnership! Our Transition Team is joining forces with the AAC Team to host a crucial session focused on postsecondary communication success. We'll dive deep into the best communication tools and strategies—including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)—to help students confidently express themselves, thrive in their chosen path, and navigate life both in school and long after graduation. This is key training for unlocking independence!

🕛 12 PM & 6 PM | Zoom: bit.ly/SPEDsessions

📅 Wednesday, January 14, 2026

ABCs of IEP & The Parents' Guide to the ARD Process

Presented by Maria Martinez

Special education families are welcome to this session to learn about key parts of their student's program, including the parents' guide to the ARD process, performance levels, goals, services, and how to effectively work with the IEP team.

🕛 12 PM & 6 PM | Zoom: bit.ly/SPEDsessions

📅 Saturday, January 17, 2026 - In-Person Event

The Transition Team presents: Texas Transition & Employment Guide

Presented by Courtney Gregori & Judith Leblanc

Join us for an informative session reviewing TEA’s Texas Transition and Employment Guide, designed to help students with disabilities and their families navigate life after high school. This event will cover key sections of the guide, offering practical tips and resources for planning education, employment, and independent living goals. 

10 AM - 12:00 PM LBJ Early College High School 7309 Lazy Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78724

Reservation: https://bit.ly/SPEDJan17

📅 Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Understanding MTSS & Supporting Your Student in Austin ISD

Presented by Krystal Colhoff & Jennifer Beeler

Join our session to build a foundational understanding of Austin ISD's Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)—a framework ensuring all students receive the right academic and behavioral help—and learn clear, actionable strategies to reinforce that support at home.

🕛 12 PM & 6 PM | Zoom: bit.ly/SPEDsessions

📅 Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Family Empower Hour: Child Find

Presented by Mary Clare Tanner

Learn about Child Find, the process that ensures all children who may need special education services are identified and supported. This session will help you understand your rights, the school’s responsibilities, and how to get the help your child needs. Open to all families and caregivers of students.

🕛 12 PM & 6 PM | Zoom: bit.ly/SPEDsessions

🌟 National Braille Literacy Month: Reading Beyond the Page!

January is National Braille Literacy Month! This is the time to celebrate accessible formats and the many different ways people read and access information.

Braille is a tactile system of raised dots, invented by Louis Braille in 1824. It is an essential tool for literacy and independence for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, building crucial skills in spelling, grammar, and critical thinking.

Want to explore Braille? Challenge your family to recognize the first 10 letters of the alphabet!

Resource: Check out the Braille Bug website for fun ways to learn basic Braille letters and more: https://braillebug.org/

Let's recognize and value all the unique ways our students connect with the world of words!

January 19 👑 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

We honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s essential vision for civil rights and a society where all individuals are valued based on merit and character, consistent with state law emphasizing equal opportunity. His message reinforces the ongoing importance of fighting for fairness and equal access for people with disabilities in a just society.

January 23 ✍️ Handwriting Day

Celebrate Handwriting Day and recognize the importance of fine motor skills, which is a key focus in occupational therapy (OT) for promoting daily functioning and learning. This is a great, low-pressure day to explore tools that help ensure comfortable and effective writing for every individual. For tips on adaptive tools like pencil grips, weighted pens, or slant boards, check out recommendations from TechOWL (Assistive Technology Programs): https://techowlpa.org/dogs-page/writing-tools-for-handwriting/

✊ February is Black History Month: In honor of Black History Month, let’s celebrate the powerful achievements and individual successes of Black individuals, including those with disabilities. Their stories showcase personal resilience. Click here to read more about inspirational Black disability advocates and their contributions.  

February 28 🎗️ Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day is an opportunity to promote acceptance and understanding for individuals with all diagnoses, especially those less commonly understood, focusing on the unique strengths and individual characteristics of every person. This day encourages fostering a culture of support and empathy across the community. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) offers information and resources for families to learn more.

📝 Practical Tips for a Smooth Semester Start

Returning to school after a break can be challenging for all students, and especially for those who thrive on structure. Our team suggests focusing on these four key areas to ease the transition and set your child up for success:

1. Re-Establish Routine & Predictability

🌅 Reset the Sleep Schedule: Start adjusting bedtime and wake-up times 4 to 5 days before school resumes by shifting them 15-30 minutes earlier each night. This helps to gradually reset your child's internal clock and reduce first-day fatigue.

🎒 Practice the Morning Drill: In the few days leading up to school, practice your full school-day morning routine (waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, packing the backpack). Predictability reduces anxiety!

🖼️ Use Visual Supports: If your child benefits from visual schedules, review and update them for the new semester. A countdown calendar or checklist for the first few days back can also help them anticipate the return.

2. Sharpen Organizational & Homework Skills (New Semester Focus)

🗂️ The Backpack & Binder Refresh: Help your student completely clean out their backpack and any school binders from the previous semester. Starting fresh can significantly improve organization. Use dividers and labels to clearly mark subjects for the new term.

⏰ Establish a "Power Hour": Designate a specific, consistent time and location for homework each day, even if they don't have an assignment. This reinforces a routine and helps make the transition back to academic work predictable.

💡 Utilize School Tools: Review how your student uses their planner, school-issued laptop, or learning management system (like Blend or Google Classroom). Encourage them to check it daily for assignments and due dates, even if the information is also provided in class.

3. Connect with the School Team

📧 Quick Check-In with Staff: Send a brief email to your child's case manager or key teachers before the first day back if you anticipate any challenges (e.g., increased anxiety, changes over the break, a different transportation plan). This proactive step helps the team be ready to support a smooth transition.

📋 Review the IEP/504: Take a moment to look over your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. Remind your child of the specific accommodations and supports they have available, like using a fidget tool or asking for a break. Empowering them to use their supports is key.

🗣️ Plan Your Communication Log: Now is a great time to start or refresh a notebook or digital log to track communications (dates, topics, actions needed) with the school.

4. Focus on Social & Emotional Wellness

💬 Talk it Out: Ask open-ended questions about the return to school, such as, "What are you most excited about for the new semester?" or "What's one thing you're nervous about?" Validate their feelings and remind them of their familiar teachers and friends.

🧘 Practice Coping Skills: Review and practice a few of your child's favorite calming or coping strategies (e.g., deep breathing, using a sensory tool, taking a movement break). These skills are essential when the shift in routine causes stress.

Center for Child Protection 

We are excited to share an opportunity for families to attend a valuable series of training sessions with the Center for Child Protection. 

What the Organization Does: The Center for Child Protection is a nationally accredited children's advocacy center, and the only non-profit in Travis County involved in the investigation of crimes against children. It serves as the first stop for children who are suspected victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, or who have witnessed a violent crime. The Center provides a safe, child-friendly environment for recorded forensic interviews, medical exams, counseling, and intervention, all at no charge to the children and their protective caregivers.

Children with disabilities are often at a higher risk of being victims of abuse. The Center's focus on trauma-informed care, specialized therapy, and coordination with law enforcement and medical professionals is especially important for families of students who receive special education services. The training below on "Becoming Trauma Aware" can equip parents and caregivers with skills to better understand and respond to the complex behavioral needs of their children, who may have experienced trauma, which is particularly relevant for students with various disabilities or communication challenges.

The Center will be hosting an Empower Hour training series in February and April.

February Training: Becoming Trauma Aware from the Center for Child Protection 

Addressing our children’s behaviors can be challenging, especially when we don’t know where to begin. The research-informed concepts in this training will help increase your knowledge of brain development, how trauma can shape us, and how to best support and respond to our children’s behaviors. To register for this Empower Hour session, please use this link.

Austin Parks & Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Unit

We are happy to announce another opportunity for families to connect with specialized community resources through the Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD). PARD's Therapeutic Recreation Unit will be hosting an Empower Hour training in February.

McBeth Therapeutic Recreation Information Night

The McBeth Recreation Center and the City of Austin’s Therapeutic Recreation Unit invite your family to an exciting information session! Join us to learn about fantastic opportunities designed specifically for children with special needs.

We can't wait to meet you and show you how your child can grow, play, and connect with the McBeth community!

What the Therapeutic Recreation Unit Does: The Therapeutic Recreation Unit of Austin PARD provides specialized, adaptive, and inclusive recreation programs for individuals with disabilities. Their goal is to ensure all community members have access to engaging and meaningful leisure and recreation activities, promoting physical, mental, and social well-being.

How This Can Help Families: These programs offer structured and supported environments essential for children receiving Special Education services to develop social skills, motor skills, and self-confidence outside of the academic setting. Programs like "Sprout Into Success" are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities, fostering growth and community connection.

For more information about Austin Parks & Recreation, please visit their website. 

The Special Education Family and Community (SEFAC) Advisory Committee is a dedicated group of parents, caregivers, educators, and community members working together to strengthen special education in Austin ISD. SEFAC provides valuable input and feedback to help shape policies, improve services, and ensure that family voices are heard at every level.

We encourage all families to get involved—whether by attending meetings, submitting a public comment, or simply staying informed. Your experiences and insights help us build a stronger, more inclusive community for all students. Click here to learn more about the committee or here to submit a Public Comment. If you would like to join the committee, here is the application.

We also invite families to share their ideas for what the committee should focus on this school year. If you have suggestions for topics or agenda items, please share them using our public comment form.

🧩 Thank You for Being a Vital Part of Our Team
We’re proud to partner with you to support your student's success in Austin ISD Special Education.

🗣️ Questions or Feedback?
Email our Family Learning & Engagement Specialist bree.rolfe@austinisd.org

📚 Need Resources?
Visit our Special Education website for tools, supports, and info.

📲 Stay Connected
✔ Download the Austin ISD App  and follow the Special Education Department
✔ Follow us on Instagram: @aisdspecialeducation

💙 Together, we build strong connections—one student, one family at a time.