Welcome to our web site!
Partners Resource Network (PRN) is a non-profit agency that operates the statewide network of federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI's) in Texas. The PTI Projects are: PATH, PEN, and TEAM.
The programs and services of PRN are based on the concept of parents helping parents. Our mission is to empower parents of children and youth with disabilities in their roles as parents, decision makers, and advocates for their children and to promote partnerships among parents and professionals.
Our web site is designed to provide timely information and to link the visitor with other resources in Texas and the nation. Our goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of infants, toddlers, children and young adults with disabilities and their families who live in the great State of Texas.
What's New
2009-10 TEA Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Parent Notification Letters Released
Districts with campuses in Title I, Part A School Improvement Stage 2 and above must notify parents of eligible students about the SES option. SES parent notification letters (PNLs) must be disseminated to parents of eligible students on or before Monday, August 24, 2009. The state-required PNL and instructions were released on August 5, 2009 on the TEA’s Division of NCLB Program Coordination’s website. Full article >
Graduation Texas Style
Check out PRN's new Q & A about graduation from Susan Rose, Texas Transition Focus Center Coordinator. The Q & A includes the new HB 3 graduation credit requirements beginning 2009-2010. Read full article >
The ABCs of RTI: A Guide for Parents
This brief provides information for parents on what children may experience in schools that use RTI to identify and instruct children with specific learning disabilities. It presents a three-tier model and includes question section that parents could use to fill in information about screening, progress monitoring, tiered instruction, staff collaboration, and fidelity of implementation. View or download The ABCs of RTI.
Free Summary of the 81st Texas Legislature: Bills Related to Education
Walsh, Anderson, Brown, Aldridge & Gallegos, P.C. have compiled a great tool for anyone following the legal changes in Texas education. Download the 81st Texas Legislature: Bills Related to Education
New and Revised Q&A about IDEA
- NEW Disproportionality
- Discipline Procedures
- Monitoring, Technical Assistance and Enforcement
- Secondary Transition
PRN is now on Twitter!
You can view our 3 most current "tweets" in the left hand column or follow us at http://twitter.com/PRNTexas.
Texas Determination Status
The Texas Education Agency has received their letter regarding Determination status from the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Detailed information on the process and results, including the letter and an explanation may be found here.The letter designates the level of compliance with the state plan and federal law, and the Explanation Document lays out the criteria. The designation for Texas for this year is Needs Assistance.
This is the third year OSEP has issued a Determination status for states. Levels of Determination status are:
- Meets Requirements
- Needs Assistance
- Needs Intervention
- Needs Substantial Intervention
Texas’ history on Determination status is:
- 2007- Needs Assistance
- 2008- Needs Intervention
- 2009- Needs Assistance
Texas First State to Have Alternate Assessments Approved
The U.S. Department of Education has approved the use of Texas' alternate assessments (TAKS-Alt and TAKS-M), making it the first state to receive approval for modified academic achievement standards and modified assessments for reading/English language arts, mathematics and science. Read press release >
Leadership Training for Parents - Parents as Collaborative Leaders by the University of Vermont and PACER
A new leadership training curriculum helps empower parents of children with disabilities to advocate for change in their communities. The Parents as Collaborative Leaders curriculum, a project of the University of Vermont and PACER, is now available as 10 PowerPoint modules on the Parents as Collaborative Leaders Web site at uvm.edu/~pcl/modules.php
President Obama's Disability Agenda
President Obama has outlined a four part plan designed to provide lifelong support and resources to Americans with disabilities. Read full article >
Obama-Biden Education Agenda Posted on Web
The Obama administration has posted its education agenda on the White House Web site. For early childhood education, the agenda includes key emphasis on early care and education for infants; expanded funding for Early Head Start and Head Start; and affordable, high quality child care. The K – 12 agenda includes reforming No Child Left Behind, making math and science a national priority, and addressing the drop-out crisis. For students with disabilities, the administration plans to increase funding and effectively enforcing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; hold schools accountable for providing students with disabilities the services and supports they need to reach their potential; support early intervention services for infants and toddlers; and work to improve college opportunities for high school graduates with disabilities. Read President Obama's Education Agenda >
