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// COMPLEX ACCESS NEEDS (CAN)
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Region 17 Complex Access Needs (CAN) Resources Page

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Texas Complex Access Network (TxCAN) is a Special Education component of Texas Education Agency (TEA). 
TxCAN is dedicated to raising awareness of the limitless potential of students with significant cognitive disabilities. 
It’s all about presuming competence and finding the most appropriate supports to provide connection, access, and increased opportunities.  
The mission of TxCAN is to put effective, evidence-based tools and strategies into the hands of teachers, and parents, to help them on their journey.
In Region 17, contact Deanne Goen, Education Specialist, for consultation and support. 
Also visit TEA's websiteTexas SPED Support webpage logo for statewide CAN resources.

  photo of Deanne Goen      TxCAN logo    Region 17 logo photo of Evelyn Gilson     Deanne Goen Evelyn Gilson (806) 281-5712 (806) 281-5867
    (806) 780-6694 (fax) (806) 780-6694 (fax)
    deannegoen@esc17.net   egilson@esc17.net  

RESOURCES for Serving Students with Complex Needs 
  • STAAR Alternate 2 - see tab STAAR Alt 2

  • TEKS -  the state standards for what students should know and be able to do 

  •  TEKS Resource System logo TEKS Resource System information

CAN Training Opportunities for SY 2023-2024

SERVICES AVAILABLE
  • Provide technical assistance and consultation to school staff and/or parents who have students with complex needs (moderate-severe cognitive disability, multiple disabilities, medically fragile, deafblindness)
  • Provide curriculum training and resources to support instructional services to students with complex needs
  • Provide classroom materials on loan or preview basis which will support instructional goals for students with complex needs
  • Staff development to enhance abilities of school personnel to meet individual needs of students with complex needs
  • Support to school personnel on implementation of inclusive strategies for students with complex needs
  • Coaching support for learning and implementing evidence-based practices for students with complex needs
  • Support to understand and create individualized and evidence-based documents of the IEP for students with complex needs
  • Training and support for implementing appropriate accommodations and modifications for the individualized needs of students with complex needs
  • Training and support for selecting and using appropriate assistive technology that supports students with complex needs in accessing the general curriculum

STAAR Alternate 2 Resources & Training  SY 2023 - 2024

  • Tuesday November 28       9:00 am - 12:00 pm    (3hrs) - morning only
  • Tuesday December 5          1:00 - 4:00 pm            (3hrs - repeat) - afternoon only
  • Thursday December 7          9:00 am - 12:00 pm   (3hrs - repeat) - morning only
  • Repeat Training & Late-Breaking STAAR ALT 2 Updates from TEA on Tuesday, February 20, 2024  9:00 am - 12:00 pm      (3hrs)
    Click the date to register.

curriculum-supporting products.pdf

Curriculum-Supporting Products for educating students with significant cognitive disabilities
o EFL  Essential for Living
o FISH  Functional Independence Skills Handbook: Assessment and Curriculum for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities - from Pro-Ed
o Freckle  Differentiated practice aligned to ELA and math - by Renaissance
o FACTOR   Functional Assessment and Curriculum for Teaching Everyday Routines - Elementary Kit - from Pro-Ed
o IXL Aligned with TEKS; comprehensive K-12 skills learning in math, ELAR, science, social studies
o LINKS 2.0  Curriculum from Star Autism Support
o Reading Milestones from Pro-Ed
o SOLS STAR Online Learning System (Remote Learning) - from STAR Autism Support
o TeachTown  Aligned with TEKS; programs include META-PLAY, TeachTown Basics, Encore
o Unique Learning System (ULS) from N2Y
o Vizzle  Aligned with TEKS; a curriculum designed by Texas educators for Texas students - a RethinkEd product
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TEA's Texas SPED Support - Significant Cognitive Disabilities
  RESOURCES ~ LEARNING ~ CONTACTS
Curriculum
- Vertical Alignments: Birth - 2nd Grade
- TEKS Vertical Alignment: PK - EOC
- Instructional Terms Lists
- Essence Statements
- TEKS Curriculum Framework
- Blueprints

TEKS Resource System - login to access the following tools:
o Year At-A-Glance (YAG)
o YAG Customization Tool
o Vertical Alignment
o TEKS Clarification
o TEKS Verification
o Resources
o Instructional Focus Document (IFD)

For all Texas students, the Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS) are the standards. The TEKS 
Resource System is where to go for curriculum scope & sequence.
All other products ref erred to as curriculum are simply supplemental to the TEKS & TEKS Resource System.
All students in Texas must have access to grade level TEKS regardless of student functioning level. 
Access the prerequisite skills at TEKS Curriculum Framework Documents, TEKS Vertical Alignment Documents, and
Early Childhood Vertical Alignments.

View TxCAN video clips on tons of topics to support you in the CAN classroom!
Go to the TxCAN Videos webpage at https://txcan.tea.texas.gov/video-library.
TxCAN logo