Special Education

 

 

Welcome to the Special Education Department, where we help every student succeed. We are dedicated to providing specialized services and interventions to students with exceptional needs. Our leadership team works together to ensure that instruction and support to our students and families meets them right where they are.

 

Take a look at our resources below, and if you have any questions we encourage you to reach out to our Special Education Director – Melodie Hrbak.

  

 

 

Melodie Hrabak has been in the field of Education for over 35 years. She began her journey as a Speech and Hearing Science major at Texas Tech University and her first teaching experience was that of an itinerant teacher in the Mesquite Regional Day School Program for the Deaf. Over the course of her career, Melodie has taught in various school districts as a teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher at Elementary, Junior High and High School levels of instruction. Melodie earned her Masters in Principalship and began her career in administration as a campus administrator, district administrator, and curriculum coordinator for 17 years. The highlight of her time in administration was as Coordinator of the Regional Day School Program for the Deaf in Arlington, Texas supporting students, parents and teachers as they navigated the world of language acquisition in the educational environment.

 

Currently, Melodie is now the Special Education Director for Texas Leadership Public Schools where she supports students with disabilities, their parents, and the campus community that welcome these wonderful leaders.

 

Melodie Hrabak  |  Special Education Director

 

Office: (817) 385-9338   x 6870

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

Special Education Notices & Information 

 

  • Senate Bill 139, Notice to Families

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Updates-on-Special-Education.pdf

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/updates-on-special-education-spanish.pdf

 

  • Delayed or Denied Evaluations & Compensatory Services?

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Comp_Services_One_Pager_Sept_2021_ACC.pdf

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Comp_Services_One_Pager_Sept_2021_SPANISH_ACC.pdf

 

  • Resources on Special Education in Texas

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/special-education/resources

 

  • Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES)
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is providing online accounts of $1,500 to parents of
eligible students served by special education who have been impacted by COVID-19 school closures.
 

 

 

 

Child Find is legally required, and is an important first step to finding children with disabilities and getting them the support and services they require to be successful in school. The full and individual initial evaluation (FIIE) is a critical component when determining the eligibility and needs of the child. The role of the ARD committee is to develop the IEP to enable a child with a disability to achieve the prescribed goals resulting in positive outcomes. [TEA Special Education Strategic Plan, April 2018]

 

The Child Find, Evaluation and ARD Supports Network assists LEAs by providing resources and training that are aligned with implementing effective Child Find practices, conducting comprehensive evaluations, and practicing collaborative admission, review and dismissal (ARD) committee processes that lead to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities.

 

Click the website and documents below for more  |  https://childfindtx.tea.texas.gov/

 

 

Dyslexia Resources

 

We know that it's easy to feel alone, as you search for resources to assist your child. You've come to the right place. In this section of the website you will find a wealth of resources, and tools you can use to help set your child on the best possible path. We welcome you to reach out to us and let us know how we can help.

 

The Dyslexia Handbook  |

English: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/2021_dyslexia_handbook_important_changes_for_families.pdf

 

Spanish: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/2021_dyslexia_handbook_important_changes_for_families_spanish.pdf

 

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The Talking Book Program

 

Throughout Texas, children with disabilities that prevent them from reading standard print are enjoying the world of reading through the Talking Book Program (TBP). TBP is a FREE service that allows students with a reading disability, like dyslexia, the opportunity to read. We offer more than 125,000 titles and 80 plus magazines, all read with human narration. Materials can be downloaded via the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) Mobile app, on a smartphone or tablet.

 

The program is completely free, with no charges and no overdue fees. For more information, visit www.tsl.texas.gov/tbp/reading_disabilities send an email to [email protected] or give us a call at 1-800-252-9605. TBP staff will be happy to answer your questions and help you apply for service. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Talking Book Program

Texas State Library and Archives Commission

 

The Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex) provides resources and interactive features for increasing family awareness of disabilities and special education processes, with the goal of improving partnerships between schools and families.

Contact information:

Phone: 1-855-773-3839

Email: [email protected]

Live Chat: www.spedtex.org