The Richardson ISD Special and Gifted Education PTA engages in support, education, and advocacy for families and teachers of students with the following needs: Special Education and 504, Dyslexia and related disorders, Gifted Education, and Social and Emotional Wellness, with emphasis on including and embracing the diversity of ALL students.
Understanding Differences is a disability awareness program that increases empathy and decreases bullying among students. After students participated in the program, parents and educators have reported increased compassion, thoughtful questions and recap discussions, and decreased incidents of bullying.
Originally designed to raise awareness through hands-on disability simulation and discussion modules, Understanding Differences was founded prior to 2013 as a joint project of Richardson ISD and the SAGE Chair of the Richardson ISD Council of PTAs. The program served thousands of RISD students between 2014 and 2020. In early 2020, the program was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to review volunteer staffing options. In the meantime, another nonprofit program, "To Be Like Me," has stepped in and has been working hard with the RISD elementary student population to raise awareness about disability differences. SAGE PTA is thrilled about the success of "To Be Like Me" and looks forward to future partnerships to support this program.
SAGE PTA is also excited to share that our team has been in communication with RISD to take the program in a new direction that will address additional areas of awareness and inclusion in RISD. We invite families and educators to watch our social media feed for news! In the meantime, below are a few articles sharing past recognition for Understanding Differences and the work of our SAGE PTA team.
Recognition Received for Understanding Differences
Golden Heart Award from the Richardson ISD Council of PTAs, 2017-2018: https://risdpta.membershiptoolkit.com/awards
Dallas Morning News article: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2014/10/24/richardson-isd-program-helps-kids-understand-disabilities/
Lake Highlands Advocate on Understanding Differences at Merriman Park Elementary: https://lakehighlands.advocatemag.com/2014/10/24/merriman-park-students-learn-understand-differences-classmates/
Lake Highlands Advocate Article on SAGE and Understanding Differences: https://lakehighlands.advocatemag.com/2014/04/28/new-life-for-risds-special-and-gifted-education-program/
Understanding Differences team recognized by the RISD Board of Trustees
Richardson ISD article: https://medium.com/richardson-isd-news-desk/understanding-differences-f57263d35344
What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan?
An Individual Educational Plan (IEP) includes academic goals, benchmarks, measurements and more, and tends to be more thorough than a 504 plan.
A 504 Plan protects students with a physical or mental impairment from discrimination in education by any school that receives Federal financial assistance.
IEPs and 504 Plans: A Guide for Parents from Healthychildren.org, by the American Academy of Pediatrics
IEP vs. 504 Plan: What's the Difference? from Understood.org
Please see below for resources created specifically for RISD families by the RISD SAGE PTA. Please e-mail risdsagepta@gmail.com with questions or suggestions for content.
