SAGE - Special & Gifted Education

What is SAGE?

In several North Texas school districts, including Richardson ISD, SAGE stands for “Special and Gifted Education.”  Through positions on school PTA boards, through the Council SAGE Chair, and through the districtwide SAGE PTA, volunteers involved with SAGE ensure that students with diverse learning needs are included in PTA activities throughout RISD!   

SAGE areas of focus:

• Special Education (includes all disability needs)

• Dyslexia

• Gifted

• Social and Emotional Wellness (includes mental health)

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

What do these needs have in common?  All children with disabilities and learning differences require understanding and extra support in order to learn and succeed in school.  This support may involve accommodations, grouping, differentiation, services, or other adjustments to what students learn, how they are taught, or how they can physically access school. Including SAGE in PTA helps ensure that these students are remembered and included in PTA activities. 

Families and teachers of SAGE students also need extra support, information, and advocacy!  For this reason, the districtwide RISD SAGE PTA was established in 2022 as the official SEPTA (Special Education PTA) for Richardson ISD.  The SAGE PTA offers free events, resources, a discussion group for members who are RISD parents or employees, networking with parents and teachers who understand your journey, opportunities to show our appreciation for SAGE educators, and individual parent-to-parent support for questions. We are here for you!

How can I learn more about SAGE in RISD?

(1)   Follow and/or join SAGE PTA!

If you are the parent or teacher of a student with SAGE needs, you can follow the RISD SAGE PTA on social media and join as a member!  Dues are low, and need-based scholarships are available to ensure that all RISD families can access membership!  

• SAGE PTA website, including link to join:  www.risdsagepta.org

• Follow SAGE on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/risd.sage.pta

• Follow SAGE on Twitter / X:  https://twitter.com/risdsagepta 

(2)   Support your school’s PTA SAGE Chair!

Does your school’s PTA have a SAGE Chair on their board?  If so, you can get involved in helping to support, educate, and advocate for families and teachers on your campus.  If not, you can volunteer to serve as Chair!

(3)   Connect with the PTA Council SAGE Chair!

The RISD Council of PTAs offers training and support for school PTA leaders who are ready to include SAGE in their activities!  The Council SAGE Chair hosts training opportunities and facilitates a discussion group specifically for campus SAGE volunteers.  If you are serving (or thinking of serving!) as a school SAGE Chair, or if you would like information about adding the position, contact sage@risdpta.org today! 

With your help, RISD PTAs can make sure that every child with special needs and learning differences is included in the PTA voice.  Join us!