Read our latest Community Update: Spring Reflection & Looking Ahead to 2020-2021. This update includes our summer operating schedule, as well as reminders and resources for families as we begin the summer break and prepare for the upcoming school year.
Special Education
Contact Information
Jenny Clark
Director of Special Education
jclark@melissaisd.org
972-837-1225
Megan Wright
Office Manager
mwright@melissaisd.org
972-837-1225
Updates in Special Education
SB 139 Notice to Families
In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 139 (SB 139), which requires Texas local education agencies (LEAs) to distribute a notice to parents containing the following information:
- Changes made from 2016 to 2017 in reporting requirements for LEAs regarding special education enrollment in the Performance Based Monitoring Analysis System.
- The rights of a child regarding the provision of special education services under both state and federal law.
- The process and procedures for initiating a referral for evaluation for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and TEC Sec. 29.004.
- Where to find local policies and procedures related to initiating a referral for evaluation under IDEA.
Please click on your child’s school below to view the notice in English and Spanish.
- Melissa Ridge Education Center
- Harry McKillop Elementary
- North Creek Elementary
- Melissa Middle School
- Melissa High School
Child Find Notice
With the assistance of the Texas Education Agency and the education service centers (ESC), local education agencies (LEAs) must ensure that a free appropriate public education (FAPE) is provided to all individuals with disabilities, ages 3-21, who qualify for special education services.
With the assistance of the Texas Education Agency, ESCs, and the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program, LEAs must ensure that early intervention services are made available for those children, ages 0-3, with an identified need.
To carry out these responsibilities, Melissa ISD has implemented a system in which personnel actively search for all individuals with disabilities or developmental delay who are 0-21 years of age, regardless of nature or severity of disability.
If you feel your child is in need of special services, please contact Jenny Clark, Director of Special Education, at jclark@melissaisd.org or 972-837-1225. You may access Child Find forms in the Forms & Resources section below.
Records Request
In an effort to comply with Texas Education Agency regulations, the Melissa Independent School District Special Programs Office will transmit all records requests electronically through the TREx system. If a school district is located out of state and in need of records, please contact Megan Wright at mwright@melissaisd.org or 972-837-1225 to request needed records.
Students participate in a track event at the Melissa ISD Special Olympics Track Meet
Special Olympics
Melissa ISD participates in the Area 10 Special Olympics, which includes the annual Melissa ISD Special Olympics Track Meet each spring.
For more information on how to become involved through donations or volunteer opportunities, or to find out how your child can participate, please contact Jenny Clark, Director of Special Education, at jclark@melissaisd.org or 972-837-1225.
Additional Links
- Texas Education Agency
- Region 10 Education Service Center: Special Education
- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
- The Legal Framework for the Child-Centered Special Education Process
Forms & Resources
Child Find
- Child Find Parent Letter
- Child Find Parent Information Form – Pre-school
- Parent/Teacher Articulation Observation Form
- Child Find Parent Language Survey Form
Other
- Home Language Survey: English & Spanish
- Incident Report Form
- Notice of Procedural Safeguards: English | Spanish
- Parent’s Guide to the ARD Process: English | Spanish
- Request for Special Education Cameras in the Classroom
- Texas Transition and Employment Guide: English | Spanish
