Special Programs

Special programs in schools are programs that are intended to meet the unique needs of each student.

HISD serves students in the following special programs

  • Section 504 (504)
  • Dyslexia 
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Gifted and Talented (GT)
  • Special Education

Section 504 (504)

For questions regarding 504, please contact:

Elementary School

Heather Dunnam

503 Crockett

Holland, Texas   76534

(254) 657-2525

Email

 

Middle School

Marie Denson

302 Hackberry

Holland, Texas   76534

(254) 657-2224

Email

High School

Matt McCray

502 Crockett

Holland, Texas   76534

(254) 657-2523

Email

What is Section 504?

Section 504 is a program that protects students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, such as caring for one's self, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks, and learning.  Students must qualify to be served under Section 504.  

Dyslexia

For questions regarding dyslexia, please contact:

Elementary School

Jennisty Thomason

503 Crockett

Holland, Texas   76534

(254) 657-2525

email

Middle School

Gracie Schlickeisen

302 Hackberry

Holland, Texas   76534

(254) 657-2224

email

High School

Alex Swick

502 Crockett

Holland, Texas   76534

(254) 657-2523

email

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a brain-based learning disability that makes learning to read, write, or spell difficult.  Dyslexia is considered a specific learning disability (SLD)under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which is the federal law that describes the requirements of special education.  When dyslexia or a related disorder is suspected that may require the provision of special education and related services, both IDEA and the Dyslexia Handbook outline the requirements for individual evaluations and the identification process.

Resources

Talking Book ProgramThe Talking Book Program is a free library service for people unable to read standard print because of a visual, physical, or reading disability.

Learning Ally - Learning Ally is a national nonprofit founded in 1948.  The organization's mission is to support people with a wide range of reading disabilities, including blindness, visual impairment, dyslexia, and other learning differences.  A paid membership is required for this resource.

Bookshare - Bookshare is an online library of accessible audiobooks and ebooks for people with print disabilities and dyslexia.  A paid membership is required for this resource.  

Dyslexia & Related Disorders:  Information for ParentsDislexia y trastornos relacionados:  información para padres

Dyslexia Resources from Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Dyslexia Handbook / Manual Sobre Dislexia (The Dyslexia Handbook - Spanish) 

English as a Second Language (ESL)

For questions regarding ESL, please contact:

Lori Kinard

501 Crockett

Holland, Texas 76534

(254) 657-2305

Email

What is ESL?

ESL is an intensive English language instruction program provided by ESL certified teachers who are trained in effective second language acquisition methods. The goal of an ESL program is for emergent bilingual students to attain full proficiency in English in order to participate equitably in school.

¿Qué es ESL?

El ingles como segunda idioma (ESL, por sus siglas en inglés) es un programa intensivo de instrucción en el idioma inglés proporcionado por maestros certificados en ESL que están capacitados en métodos efectivos de adquisición de un segundo idioma. El objetivo de un programa de ESL es que los estudiantes bilingües emergentes alcancen el pleno dominio del inglés en inglés para participar equitativamente en la escuela. 

Resources

TXEL - Website with resources for parents and families

ESL Program Model

Back-to-School Newsletter

Winter Newsletter

Gifted and Talented (GT)

For questions regarding GT, please contact:

Gracie Schlickeisen

302 Hackberry

Holland, Texas 76534

(254) 657-2224

email

What is Gifted and Talented (GT)?

A gifted/talented student is a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who

  • exhibits high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area;

  • possesses an unusual capacity for leadership;

  • or excels in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code §29.121)

Special Education

For questions regarding special education or Child Find, please contact:

Elementary School

Jennisty Thomason

503 Crockett

Holland, Texas   76534

(254) 657-2525

email

Middle School

Gracie Schlickeisen

302 Hackberry

Holland, Texas   76534

(254) 657-2224

email

High School

Alex Swick

502 Crockett

Holland, Texas   76534

(254) 657-2523

email

What is Special Education?

When a child receives special education, it means that a public school provides custom services and instruction specific to the needs of that student. Special education is available because of a federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides students with disabilities and their parents special legal rights to receive these individualized learning opportunities.  To be eligible, your child must have a disability as defined through federal and state guidelines, and as a result of this disability, your child must demonstrate an educational need for services. 

Bell County Cooperative for Exceptional Children (BCCEC)

Holland ISD is a member of the Bell County Cooperative for Exceptional Children, which serves students with disabilities in the Troy, Holland, Rogers, Granger, and Bartlett Independent School Districts.

The “Co-op” works in collaboration with the five districts to provide Special Education programs and services for children identified with physical disabilities, mental disabilities, emotional and sensory impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, deaf-blindness or multiple disabilities. 

Visit BCCEC's webpage by clicking here.

Child Find

Access to Child Find is part of your child's Free and Appropriate Public Education. Your child must have an educational need for services which cannot be provided in general education. The ARD Committee must determine how the disability affects participation in age appropriate activities.

Description/Purpose: The purpose of Child Find is to locate, identify, and evaluate children from birth to 21 years of age and their possible need for special education and related services. Child Find is a free referral and information service available through local education agencies, HISD, and Education Service Center Region XII.

Early Childhood: If you are a parent of a 3- to 5-year-old who is not enrolled at Holland Elementary, please contact Jennisty Thomason at 254-657-2525.

School Age: If you are a parent of a five to 21 year old who is enrolled at an HISD campus, please contact your child's teacher or the campus principal, listed above, to begin the referral process.

Referral Process: Referrals may be initiated by parents, (ECI) Early Childhood Intervention agencies, or campus staff.

Students receiving services through ECI will be transitioned into the public school system starting as early as 120 days prior to their third birthday.

A physician or community agency may recommend that your child be referred for evaluation, however the parent must initiate the request with the district.

Eligibility: Your child must have a disability as defined through federal and state guidelines. As a result of this disability, your child must demonstrate an educational need for services.

 

DISABILITY CATEGORIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

*Services may begin at birth for children with visual and/or auditory impairments

Press ENTER key to focus on the active panel