H.B. 1691 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1691
By: Phillips
Public Education
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Dyslexia is a developmental disability that generally becomes evident in
early schooling and is a permanent disorder that affects a person's
ability to process, understand, recall and express information. School
districts are required to provide for the treatment of students with
dyslexia. Under current law, a school district is entitled to compensatory
education funding to provide services to students who are educationally
disadvantaged or who are at risk of dropping out of school. However, a
school district is prohibited from using compensatory education funds for
a program provided for dyslexic students under Section 38.003, Education
Code. 


PURPOSE

House Bill 1691 allows compensatory education funds to be used for
accelerated reading programs for students at risk of dyslexia and for
treatment programs for students determined to have dyslexia or a related
disorder.    


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 


ANALYSIS

House Bill 1691 amends the Education Code to authorize a school district
to use its compensatory education funds for an accelerated reading
instruction program that addresses reading deficiencies or for a treatment
program for students who have dyslexia or a related disorder. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.