SPECIAL POPULATIONS SUPPORT AND SERVICES

The Brownsville Independent School District will continue to provide educational opportunities to the general student population during the closure, the school must ensure that students with disabilities also have equal access to the same opportunities, including the provision of Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The district will ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, each student with a disability will be provided the special education and related services identified in the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.

● Students receiving special populations services will continue to receive technology, services, accommodations, and modifications required by the student’s IEP or Section 504 Plan.
● The district will continue to identify, locate, and evaluate students who have or may be suspected of having a disability and need for special education.
● The Special Education and Section 504 Department will continue to provide auxiliary instruction, support services, accommodations and/or related services via digital/learning platforms for all students.
● ARD or Section 504 Committees will continue to meet to determine the individualized educational needs of students who receive special education or Section 504 Services.
● Parents will be given the opportunity to attend ARD or 504 meetings virtually and will receive digital or hard copies of their student’s IEP or 504 Plan.
● Parents of students served by specialized special education programs will receive individualized support from a special education case manager to ensure their student’s needs are met.
● Parents of Gifted and Talented students will continue to attend virtual GT meetings.

SOCIAL - EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS:

The Guidance and Counseling Department will continue to provide guidance lessons at all grade levels on topics that include mental health, inter/intra personal effectiveness, post-secondary readiness and personal health / safety utilizing online learning platforms.

● Lessons will emphasize techniques in mindfulness, meditation, positive coping skills, stress management and other topics that support the mental health and well-being of students.
● School Counselors will continue to promote mental health hotlines, online support services and community mental health referrals for counseling services to BISD students and families.
● Each campus is equipped with a student support team that is trained to identify and respond to students who make an outcry of harm to self or harm to others. The support team will collaborate with students and their families for appropriate mental health services and follow-up support.
● Counselors will provide outreach services to include individual and group counseling while utilizing online platforms.
● Counselors will continue to provide individualized planning services and interventions for personal and academic development.
● Professional Development will continue to be offered to school staff to ensure school administration, counselors, teachers and staff are equipped to support students in crisis.
● Crisis protocols have been developed for teachers and campus staff to report suspected abuse or harm to students while in a remote learning environment.

BILINGUAL SUPPORTS:

English learner populations will continue to receive language, instructional, accommodations, and technology support.

● English learners will continue receiving instruction from teachers trained on Bilingual/ESL instructional strategies for all core content areas. Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) instructional aides will collaborate with teachers and continue to support English learners to meet their language acquisition and academic needs.
● English learners will continue receiving support through multiple educational digital platforms.
● LPAC committees and teachers of English learners will continue to identify and monitor English learner academic performance, attendance, and discipline.
● The Bilingual / ESL program will continue to collaborate with parents of English learners to review student placement, progress, and support for language acquisition and academic success.
● The Bilingual/ESL Department will host virtual parent informational meetings and events (Annual English Learner Parent Symposium and Family Community Engagement activities).

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

Gifted and Talented/AP:
Gifted and Talented students will continue to be serviced by qualified GT teachers at all levels virtually. At the elementary students will be grouped homogeneously by grade level. Middle school GT students will be serviced in the academic core areas through honors courses. High school GT students will be serviced through core academic honors courses, dual enrollment courses, and/or AP courses. Dual enrollment and AP courses will be offered virtually, and students enrolled in an AP course will be encouraged to challenge the AP exam(s) in May.

Dual Enrollment/ECHS/TSI:
The dual enrollment/ECHS program will continue at the District’s ECHS campuses with the goal of all BISD students graduating college ready and having the opportunity to graduate with an Associate Degree. All middle and high school campuses will continue to be TSI testing sites with EHCS campuses offering students multiple avenues for TSI prep.

POST SECONDARY SUPPORT:

The Guidance and Counseling Department will continue to support students to prepare for the postsecondary college, military and career planning process.
● The Career Placement Officers will provide ongoing support for students to access college / career exploration and placement opportunities for CTE endorsements / programs of study, certifications and internships.
● All grade levels will receive college planning information via classroom lessons.
● Middle school and high school students will have information and support to register for college dual enrollment courses to complete college courses on the common core plan and/or an associates degree.
● Each student will participate in a senior interview that includes a checklist for postsecondary planning to include completion of a college application and financial aid application.
● Counselors and Go Center (college access) staff will continue to reach out directly to students and families to assist them through the postsecondary planning process.
● BISD continues to partner with institutions of higher education to support the student in the college planning process including completing a college application, submitting a financial aid application, scholarship application and registration for necessary college testing.
● Students will have access to communication with military recruiters and college representatives via virtual college fairs and virtual college tours.

PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SUPPORTS:

Parents will continue to receive information, training and resources available in the district, campus and community utilizing a variety of communication tools.

● Parents will participate in virtual training/meetings or view pre-recorded sessions independently.
● Data collected through parent surveys will help identify family needs to be addressed.
● Update and monitor parent/guardian contact information on eSchools.
● Continue to support Parent Liaisons and campuses with the tools necessary to conduct parent/guardian contact and reporting.
● Continue to provide information for parents through the district’s parent notification system.
● Continue to provide campus staff with ongoing training on documenting parent/guardian/student contact on eSchools.
● Parent and Attendance Liaisons will continue to conduct parent contact in areas, but not limited to; home visits, emails and phone calls.
● Monitor student attendance through daily attendance dashboards and contact reports.
● Continued collaboration with district and community partners in providing information of resources available to families.