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Special Programs

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Special Programs

Whitehouse ISD believes that each child is unique, and some have special needs or concerns when it comes to learning, but all children have a right to an education. Learning experiences encourage intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Children who learn develop self- confidence and the ability to get along with others. Every child has the capacity to learn, to develop and to grow to his or her potential

Whitehouse Independent School District strives to meet the needs of each individual student. The Special Education department – which is comprised of administrators, diagnosticians, therapists, teachers, and aides – plays a vital role in the completion of that goal.

The logo for the Special Education Information Center, known as SPEDTEX.     The Texas SPED Support logo features a blue outline of the state of Texas with a hand reaching out, along with the text 'Texas SPED Support' in blue.

Special Programs Directory

Dr. Melinda Jennings
Executive Director of Special Programs
jenningsm@whitehouseisd.org

Kelli Rodriguez
Coordinator of Special Programs
rodriguezk@whitehouseisd.org

Rachel Santana
Administrative Assistant to the Special Programs Executive Director
Records Requests
santanar@whitehouseisd.org

Services

  • Early Childhood Special Education Services are available for children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 5 that reside within Whitehouse ISD. Eligibility is based upon evaluation results and is the decision of the Admissions, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee.


    Whitehouse ISD offers a range of services to children qualifying for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Services for preschoolers are determined by their individual needs. Based on the level of individual need, some children are served in an Early Childhood Learning classroom setting that addresses delays in language development, motor development, and other areas of need. Other children may be served through walk-in speech services on the Higgins Elementary campus in the Whitehouse ISD TAPS (Teach and Play Speech) Program. 

  • Whitehouse ISD provides instructional services for students who require them as determined by their Full Individual Evaluation and Individual Education Plan. These services include:

    • Speech Therapy
    • Adaptive PE
    • Services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing (in district or with Tyler ISD)
    • Services for Visually Impaired

  • Related services are provided to students who meet eligibility requirements. Related services can include:

    • Assistive Technology
    • Counseling Services
    • In-Home/ Parent Training
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Physical Therapy
    • Transportation

  • Transition Services under IDEA are a coordinated set of activities designed as a results-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including

    • post-secondary education
    • vocational training
    • integrated employment (including supported employment)
    • continuing and adult education
    • adult services
    • independent living
    • community participation

    The coordinated set of activities must be based on the individual student’s needs, taking into account the student’s strengths, preferences, and interests, and includes instruction, related services, community experiences, development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and (if appropriate) acquisition of daily living skills and provision of a functional vocational evaluation. 

    In the state of Texas, individual transition planning must begin on or before the student’s 14th birthday and is updated annually through an admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee meeting.

    Transition & Employment Guide

    Transition in Texas

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a broad base civil rights law administered by the Office of Civil Rights, which protects the rights of persons with disabilities.

    The purpose of the Act and these procedures is to prohibit discrimination and to assure that disabled students have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to non-disabled students.

    District Contact:
    Dr. Melinda Jennings
    jenningsm@whitehouseisd.org

    Additional Resources:

  • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is a framework that focuses on early intervention, best practices and progress monitoring within the areas of academics, behavior, and social/emotional support for students. There are 3 systems of support and student support can increase or decrease based on current student needs. The goal is to provide targeted intervention early and quickly.  

    MTSS Fact Sheet for Families

    Los Sistemas de Apoyo de Múltiples Niveles (MTSS)

    Los Sistemas de Apoyo de Múltiples Niveles (MTSS) es un marco que se enfoca en la intervención temprana, las mejores prácticas y el seguimiento del progreso dentro de las áreas de apoyo académico, conductual y social/emocional para los estudiantes. Hay 3 sistemas de apoyo y el apoyo estudiantil puede aumentar o disminuir según las necesidades actuales de los estudiantes. El objetivo es proporcionar una intervención específica temprana y rápida.

    MTSS Hoja de datos para las familias

  • Here in Whitehouse ISD, students identified with dyslexia are instructed by teachers who have been trained to deliver the MTA or Multisensory Teaching Approach developed by Margaret Taylor Smith.

    DYSLEXIA PROGRAM GOAL
    The district believes that all students deserve the opportunity to maximize their potential. In order to address the learning needs of students with dyslexia, Whitehouse ISD (WISD) has developed the WISD Dyslexia Plan. Students experiencing difficulties learning to read, write, spell despite conventional instruction, adequate intelligence and sociocultural opportunity shall have access to programs and services that are appropriate to their educational needs.

    WISD Dyslexia Program

Resources