Family Learning Library

For questions, please contact Bree Rolfe: bree.rolfe@austinisd.org.

2025-26 Family Learning Library

Topics:

Special Education Strategies
Transition Services
Dyslexia
Autism
Inclusion
Bilingual Student Support
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

Special Education Strategies

Presentation	Link
Empower Hour: Welcome to �鶹��ý ISD Special Education Join us for a tour of the helpful parent tools and guides on the SPEDTex website during an interactive session. We’ll also share key information for families new to �鶹��ý ISD’s special education programs, with plenty of time to answer your questions and offer support for your student.
Empower Hour: Child Find Learn about Child Find, the process that ensures all children who may need special education services are identified and supported. This session will help you understand your rights, the school’s responsibilities, and how to get the help your child needs.
Empower Hour: The ABCs of IEPs This session welcomes new families to special education and introduces key parts of a student’s program, including performance levels, goals, and services. You’ll also learn about your role as a parent and how to work with the IEP team. Sessions repeat throughout the year.
Empower Hour: Let’s Get Organized! Progress Reports for Parents, Organization and Communication, Family Binder, Frontline Join us for an interactive session to learn essential tools for staying organized and engaged as a special education family. We’ll walk you through the AISD Parent Portal, the collaboration portal in Frontline, and instructions on how to create a Family Binder to keep all your important documents in one place.
Empower Hour: A parent's guide to MAP Growth Scores Learn how to navigate parent-teacher conferences with confidence! This session will guide parents in understanding MAP Growth Scores and using them to support their child’s success.
Empower Hour: Accessibility Supports for Chromebooks This session will help parents understand the valuable technology tools available to students on AISD Chromebooks. Join us for demonstrations of the powerful assistive technology and accessibility tools built into every student device. We will showcase features that support a range of learning needs, including speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and more.

Transition Services

Presentation	Link
Empower Hour: �鶹��ý ISD 18+ Info Session Ready for what’s next after high school? Join AISD’s Transition Team for a virtual informational session all about 18+ services, including GO Project, TLC, Greenleaf, and Project SEARCH. Discover which program best fits your student’s needs and get your questions answered by our experts.
Empower Hour: AISD 18+ Info Session- Ready for what’s next after high school? Join AISD’s Transition Team for Empower Hour—a virtual info session all about 18+ services, including GO Project, TLC, Greenleaf, and Project SEARCH. Discover which program best fits your student’s needs and get your questions answered by our experts. Open to families and caregivers of students with disabilities.
Empower Hour: Texas Transition and Employment Guide Presented by Courtney Gregori & Judith Leblanc Join us for an overview of TEA’s Texas Transition and Employment Guide. This session will highlight important sections of the guide, offering practical strategies and resources for planning education, employment, and independent living goals after high school.
Talk the Talk: Communication Strategies for Life After Graduation! Presented by Courtney Gregori & Judith Leblanc Don't miss this powerhouse partnership! Our Transition Team is joining forces with the AAC Team to host a crucial session focused on postsecondary communication success. We'll dive deep into the best communication tools and strategies—including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)—to help students confidently express themselves, thrive in their chosen path, and navigate life both in school and long after graduation. This is key training for unlocking independence!

Dyslexia

Presentation	Link
Empower Hour: Walkthrough of Texas Dyslexia Handbook This session is created to help families and school partners better understand the Texas Dyslexia Handbook. Together, we’ll walk through important sections of the handbook in an easy-to-follow way, so parents and caregivers can feel more confident about the state guidelines and supports available for children with dyslexia and related learning differences.
Empower Hour: Practical Strategies for Students with Dyslexia Effective strategies that can be used at home and in the classroom. You’ll walk away with tools for reading and study support, tips for building organization and study habits, and ways to nurture resilience and confidence in students. We’ll also connect you with helpful resources and community supports.

Presentation

Link

Empower Hour: Walkthrough of Texas Dyslexia Handbook
This session is created to help families and school partners better understand the Texas Dyslexia Handbook. Together, we’ll walk through important sections of the handbook in an easy-to-follow way, so parents and caregivers can feel more confident about the state guidelines and supports available for children with dyslexia and related learning differences.

Empower Hour: Practical Strategies for Students with Dyslexia
Effective strategies that can be used at home and in the classroom. You’ll walk away with tools for reading and study support, tips for building organization and study habits, and ways to nurture resilience and confidence in students. We’ll also connect you with helpful resources and community supports.

Autism

Presentation	Link
Empower Hour: Focus on Autism Join our District Autism Specialists for a discussion on Autism Eligibility for Special Education Services. Learn how autism may impact education, what supports schools can provide, and explore resources, including community events, visuals, and reinforcement systems.

Inclusion

Presentation	Link
Empower Hour: Family Voices on Inclusion As part of Inclusive Schools Week, the Inclusion Workgroup invites families to join a special session. The event will feature family testimonials about inclusion, updates on the group’s ongoing work, and a parent town hall where families can share feedback about what inclusive schools mean to them. This is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and help shape the future of inclusive practices in our schools.

Presentation

Link

Empower Hour: Family Voices on Inclusion
As part of Inclusive Schools Week, the Inclusion Workgroup invites families to join a special session. The event will feature family testimonials about inclusion, updates on the group’s ongoing work, and a parent town hall where families can share feedback about what inclusive schools mean to them. This is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and help shape the future of inclusive practices in our schools.

Bilingual Student Support

Presentation	Link
Empower Hour: Together – How to Support our Bilingual Students In this session, families will learn the differences between ESL and bilingual programs. Participants will leave with powerful questions to ask teachers and schools to advocate for their children’s success.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Presentation	Link
Empower Hour: Understanding MTSS & Supporting Your Student in �鶹��ý ISD Presented by Krystal Colhoff & Jennifer Beeler Join our session to build a foundational understanding of �鶹��ý ISD's Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)—a framework ensuring all students receive the right academic and behavioral help—and learn clear, actionable strategies to reinforce that support at home.

Presentation

Link

Empower Hour: Understanding MTSS & Supporting Your Student in �鶹��ý ISD
Presented by Krystal Colhoff & Jennifer Beeler
Join our session to build a foundational understanding of �鶹��ý ISD's Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)—a framework ensuring all students receive the right academic and behavioral help—and learn clear, actionable strategies to reinforce that support at home.

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