Legislative, Advocacy, and Outreach Support for Local School Districts

Robert Long, Regional Director for Advocacy & Outreach, Raise Your Hand Texas
Todd Schneider, ESC Executive Director, ESC Region 7

This session is designed to update district leaders on the grassroots and advocacy efforts of Raise Your Hand Texas. Participants will learn how their statewide network of 13 regional advocacy directors are working to engage school districts and communities across Texas, in building coalitions for supporting public education in our state.

SPED 101: What Administrators Need to Know

Kelly Janes, Associate, Walsh Gallegos Trevino Russo & Kyle P.C.
Denise Carter, Education Support Senior Account Executive, Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)

This session will provide “insider” information about the world of special education, including a brief history of the law and current legal requirements, preparing for an ARD meeting, and ensuring that everyone in the process is prepared to meet the needs of this special population. It will focus on giving administrators the tools they need to provide effective, efficient, and legal programs on campuses and in their district.

Leveraging IHE Partnerships for CCR School Model Campuses

Clarissa Torres, Deputy Director, Educate Texas
Susan Henderson, Deputy Director, Programs, Educate Texas

The growth of the Texas CCR School Models network to over 400 campuses has created a wellspring of best practices. Educate Texas and campus leaders will share insights into leveraging IHE partnerships to build and sustain CCR School Model campuses while aligning goals with these partners to achieve state outcomes.

The Power of Inclusivity – How Cultural Sensitivity Makes Districts Better

David Holmes, Associate, Walsh Gallegos Trevino Russo & Kyle P.C.

In this session, learn the importance of acknowledgment and acceptance of existing educational inequities, awareness of the educational costs to students and the legal risks to districts of racially insensitive environments in schools, and gain strategies for creating more inclusive educational environments.

How to Become a Partner in Disability Leadership

Karlyn Keller, Division Director, Special Education Solutions, Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)
Ginger Mayeaux, Director, Public Policy & Advocacy, The ARC of Texas

Partners in Disability Leadership is an advanced leadership development training program from The Arc of Texas created for professionals who are interested in being stewards of the disability rights movement and leaders within their agency or organization. While focused on increasing capacity and knowledge of the world of advocacy, participants also learn leadership skills they can take back to their school and implement immediately while building strong bonds with others from agencies across the state.