escWorks

Optimal Approaches for Evaluation Personnel Monthly Webinar Series 2025-2026

This interactive webinar is a part of a series of webinars designed to support special education evaluation personnel, including educational diagnosticians, school psychologists, and speech-language pathologists. These webinars feature highly respected presenters in the field of special education. Join us in learning all year long through exceptional online opportunities. Reinforce your current knowledge and add new tools to your tool box.

These convenient live webinars can be accessed from your personal electronic device at the times specified. These live webinars are provided through a Zoom platform and will not be available for viewing at the Region 4 location. Participants will receive an email with a link to complete Zoom registration prior to the webinar. After completing the Zoom registration, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Continuing education units from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) will be available for participants that register, access the webinar, and watch the webinar in its entirety. A Region 4 Certificate of Attendance will be provided via email one to two weeks after the webinar once attendance is finalized and recorded. This session is partially funded through state and federal grants.

Register for one or more of the sessions by clicking Select below. Once you have made your selections, click Add to Cart and complete checking out.

Option I

Session ID: 1911489
Navigating Legalities in Special Education: Updates for Educators
Date/Time: Thursday, September 4, 2025 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 194 / 500

Important Breakout Information:
This session features Rebecca S. Bailey, J.D., from Thompson and Horton, LLP. The session will provide the most current information regarding legal issues that specifically affect special education personnel in daily job activities. The training is designed to prepare participants to deliver special education services and supports in their local education agencies based on the most current legal state and federal frameworks. IDEA, ESSA, and the Texas Commissioner's Rules will be included in the discussion of current legal requirements. Legal briefs and court decisions involving current legal regulations will be reviewed.

Learning objectives:
1. Describe current legal and state and federal frameworks pertaining to special education.
2. Identify multiple measures of assessment data for students suspected of the disability condition of autism.
3. Describe the outcomes of current legal briefs and court decisions presented.

Financial Disclosures: Rebecca S. Bailey received a fee for presenting this session.
Rebecca S. Bailey does not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Option II

Session ID: 1911511
Extra, Extra, REED All About It!
Date/Time: Thursday, October 2, 2025 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 202 / 500

Important Breakout Information:
This session will provide guidance and best practices for special education evaluators on the Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED) process. As part of the reevaluation, the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee and other qualified personnel, as appropriate, must complete a REED to help determine what additional data, if any, are needed to determine whether the student continues to require special education and related services and whether changes are needed to the services provide. As a best practice, a REED should also be part of the initial evaluation process.

Learning objectives:
1. Identify when a REED is warranted according to federal and state guidelines.
2. Describe multiple data sources that should be included in the REED.
3. Describe ways in which the multidisciplinary evaluation team can coordinate with the referral team to ensure a REED is completed as part of the initial evaluation process.

Financial Disclosures: Dr. Beth Darbe is an employee of Region 4 Education Service Center.
Nonfinancial Disclosures: Dr. Beth Darbe does not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Option III

Session ID: 1911491
From Placement to Possibilities: Understanding Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in Special Education
Date/Time: Thursday, November 6, 2025 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 170 / 500

Important Breakout Information:
This session will provide guidance for admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committees on selecting the least restrictive environment (LRE) to provide students with a free, appropriate public education (FAPE).

Learning objectives:
1. Understand the definition and meaning of LRE, learning the legal mandates and how LRE reflects the spirit of special education through providing access to the general education curriculum according to individual student need.
2. Unpack the range of educational settings where LRE must be considered and understand how to maintain access to the general curriculum across various environments.
3. Identify the responsibilities of school districts in implementing LRE and learn proactive strategies to prevent inappropriate placements, procedural errors, and unintentional exclusions.
4. Discuss guiding considerations for LRE discussions and learn an individualized decision-making process for LRE, considering academic, social, and behavior data to design supports that are tailored to each student's unique strengths and needs.

Financial Disclosures: Nicole Price is an employee of Region 4 Education Service Center.
Nonfinancial Disclosures: Nicole Price does not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Option IV

Session ID: 1911509
A Data Driven Process for the Provision of AT Tools for Reading and Writing
Date/Time: Thursday, December 11, 2025 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 136 / 500

Important Breakout Information:

Accessibility is key to participation in the educational setting. All too often students with or without eligibility labels experience barriers that unnecessarily prevent them from making progress in spite of the plethora of technology tools available. This presentation will guide the participant through the collection of informal and formal data in order to identify and recommend the features of assistive technology (AT) tools that support student participation in the reading and writing process. Case studies will be shared that demonstrate student self determination ensuring that their learning needs are consistently met.

Learning objectives

Understand the role of assistive technology in supporting the acquisition of literacy.
Discuss how the application of a framework can support selection of appropriate AT tools for reading and writing to meet desired outcomes.
Explore tools that support reading and writing across the continuum of services.
Explore formal and informal sources of data that support the identification of AT tools for reading and writing.

Financial Disclosures: Dr. Eileen Garza receives a fee for presenting this session.
Nonfinancial Disclosures: Dr. Eileen Garza does not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Option V

Session ID: 1911510
Navigating Ethical Waters: Problems of Professional Competence and Responsibility
Date/Time: Thursday, January 8, 2026 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 162 / 500

Important Breakout Information:
This session addresses the ethical components of problems of professional competence and responsibility.

Learning objectives:
1. Discuss problems of professional competence and responsibility, how they affect the evaluation personnel fields, and why they should be addressed.
2. Learn about and practice using an ethical decision-making model to address problems of professional competence and responsibility.
3. Identify strategies for remediation of problems in professional competence and delve into a new approach to supporting new and experienced professionals: strength-based mentoring and supervision.

Financial Disclosures: Nicole Price is an employee of Region 4 Education Service Center.
Nonfinancial Disclosures: Nicole Price does not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Session I

Session ID: 1911513
Responding to Professional Burnout and Employment Stress
Date/Time: Thursday, February 5, 2026 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 138 / 500

Important Breakout Information:

This session is designed to help special educators combat professional burnout and employment stress.

Learning objectives:
1. (Check back for updates)
2. (Check back for updates)
3. (Check back for updates)

Financial Disclosures: The speaker receives financial compensation for presenting this session.

Nonfinancial Disclosures: The speaker does not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Session IA

Session ID: 1911514
The ABCs of Developmental Assessment
Date/Time: Thursday, March 5, 2026 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 175 / 500

Important Breakout Information:
Evaluating young children as they transition into the school setting can present unique challenges for evaluation personnel. During this workshop, learners will recognize different stages of developmental milestones to enhance the interpretation of evaluation results. The workshop will review Texas’ newest eligibility category of Developmental Delay and what this means for evaluators. This presentation will review different assessments that can be utilized in a holistic evaluation of young children.

Learning objectives:
Participants will learn how to provide a detailed account of a child’s developmental strengths and weaknesses to make individualized, student-specific recommendations and interventions for school-based teams.

Financial Disclosures: Ashley Arnold is an employee of Western Psychological Services (WPS).
Nonfinancial Disclosures: Ashley Arnold does not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Session II

Session ID: 1911564
Considerations for Compensatory and Extended School Year Services
Date/Time: Thursday, April 2, 2026 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 161 / 500

Important Breakout Information:
How should Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committees consider requests for compensatory services? How do these requirements differ from requests for extended school year services? This session will provide an overview of federal law, state guidance, legal precedence, and best practices for compensatory and extended school year services. Special education evaluation staff will leave this session with increased confidence to guide ARD committees to make the best decisions for students.

Learning objectives:
1. Identify requirements for consideration of compensatory special education services.
2. Identify requirements for consideration of extended school year services.
3. Apply learning to case study examples.

Financial Disclosures: Dianna Bowen is a partner of of Thompson & Horton, LLP.
Nonfinancial Disclosures: Dianna Bowen does not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Session III

Session ID: 1911589
Ethical Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Date/Time: Thursday, May 14, 2026 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 164 / 500

Important Breakout Information:
This session will guide multi-disciplinary assessment teams through the requirements for full and individual evaluations (FIEs) of students suspected of the disability condition of autism. Federal and state requirements will be reviewed, as well as ethical best practices for collecting multiple measures of assessment data. Through guided practice, special education evaluation staff will learn to use this data to make ethical, evidence-based recommendations to address individual student needs.

Learning objectives:
1. Identify requirements for FIEs for students suspected of the disability condition of autism.
2. Identify multiple measures of assessment data for students suspected of the disability condition of autism.
3. Apply learning to case study examples.

Financial Disclosures: Dr. Beth Darbe and Nicole Price are employees of Region 4 Education Service Center.
Nonfinancial Disclosures: Dr. Beth Darbe and Nicole Price do not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Session IV

Session ID: 1911602
Comprehensive Evaluations for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Date/Time: Thursday, June 4, 2026 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 150 / 500

Important Breakout Information:

This session will guide multi-disciplinary assessment teams through the requirements for full and individual evaluations (FIEs) of students suspected of having a disability of deaf and/or hard of hearing (DHH). Federal and state requirements will be reviewed, as well as best practices for collecting multiple measures of assessment data. Through guided practice, special education evaluation staff will learn to use this data to make evidence-based recommendations to address individual student needs.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify federal and state requirements for students suspected of having a disability condition of DHH.
2. Identify multiple measures of assessment data for DHH evaluations.
3. Apply learning to case study examples.

Financial Disclosures: Kristin Pfeiffer is an employee of Region 4 Education Service Center.
Non-Financial Disclosures: Kristin Pfeiffer does not have any relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Session IX

Session ID: 1911627
Assessment of Executive Functioning Skills
Date/Time: Thursday, July 16, 2026 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 181 / 500

Important Breakout Information:
This session will guide multi-disciplinary assessment teams through the requirements for full and individual evaluations (FIEs) for students who present challenges with executive functioning (EF) skills. An overview of EF skills will be presented, as well as best practices for collecting multiple measures of assessment data. Through guided practice, special education evaluation staff will learn to use this data to make evidence-based recommendations to address individual student needs.

Learning objectives:
1. Define and describe executive functioning skills.
2. Identify multiple measures of assessment data for measuring executive functioning skills.
3. Apply learning to case study examples.

Financial Disclosures: Sherry Sancibrian receives a fee for presenting this session.
Nonfinancial Disclosures: Sherry Sancibrian does not have any relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

Session V

Session ID: 1911630
Parentally Placed Private School Children with Disabilities
Date/Time: Thursday, August 6, 2026 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location:Region 4 ESC, Zoom Session
Contact Person: April Thomas
Seats Filled: 147 / 500

Important Breakout Information:
This session will highlight the key points and important resources for special education evaluators to consider for children who are enrolled by their parents in private schools or who are homeschooled and have disabilities, or are suspected of disabilities. This session will provide an overview child find and evaluation requirements. For students who do have disabilities, considerations for developing a service plan will be reviewed. Requirements for proportionate share calculation will also be reviewed.

Learning objectives:
1. Define private schools according to state and federal guidelines.
2. Describe child find and evaluation requirements for students who attend private schools.
3. Identify requirements for service plan development and proportionate share calculation.

Financial Disclosures: Tiffany Battle and Katharine Muller are employees of Region 4 Education Service Center.
Nonfinancial Disclosures: Tiffany Battle and Katharine Muller do not have any relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.

This course is offered for 0.3 ASHA CEUs, intermediate level.

MAIN OFFICE
Region 4 Education Service Center
7145 West Tidwell Road Houston, Texas 77092-2096
713.462.7708 | PHONE
Region 4 is making improvements to the McKinney Conference Center and will invite guests to experience the difference in August of 2024
FEEDBACK TERMS & PRIVACY CONTACT US PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MAIN OFFICE
Region 4 Education Service Center
7145 West Tidwell Road Houston, Texas 77092-2096
713.462.7708 | PHONE

FEEDBACK TERMS & PRIVACY CONTACT US
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Region 4 is making improvements to the McKinney Conference Center and will invite guests to experience the difference in August of 2024