SRC-MKV S.B. 1727 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1727
77R8061 CAS-FBy: Cain
Education
4/9/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The number of special education students included in the mainstream
classroom has steadily increased over the last twenty-five years.  Many
teachers in the regular classroom have at least one special education
student in their classes, yet many of those teachers receive little, if
any, training on instructing children with disabilities.  The requirements
and regulations accompanying the individualized education and behavior
management plans associated with these students can be complicated and
difficult to implement.  A teacher who is trained to understand effective
methods of reaching disabled students will be more capable of serving both
regular education and special education students in the classroom.  As
proposed, S.B. 1727 requires a school district's staff development to
include training that relates to instruction of students with disabilities
and is designed for educators who work primarily outside of the area of
special education.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 21.451(a), Education Code, to require a school
district's staff development to include training that relates to
instruction of students with disabilities and is designed for educators who
work primarily outside of the area of special education. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2002-2003
school year. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.