|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to staff development requirements in public schools. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 21.451, Education Code, is amended by |
|
|
amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(d) The staff development [may]: |
|
|
(1) may include training in: |
|
|
(A) technology; |
|
|
(B) conflict resolution; and |
|
|
(C) discipline strategies, including classroom |
|
|
management, district discipline policies, and the student code of |
|
|
conduct adopted under Section 37.001 and Chapter 37; and |
|
|
(2) subject to Subsection (e), must include |
|
|
research-based training that: |
|
|
(A) relates to instruction of students with |
|
|
disabilities; and |
|
|
(B) is designed for educators who work primarily |
|
|
outside the area of special education. |
|
|
(e) A school district is required to provide the training |
|
|
described by Subsection (d)(2) to an educator who works primarily |
|
|
outside the area of special education only on the recommendation of |
|
|
the admission, review, and dismissal committee for a student |
|
|
receiving instruction from the educator. |
|
|
(f) In developing the training required by Subsection |
|
|
(d)(2), a school district must consult with persons with expertise |
|
|
in research-based practices for students with disabilities. |
|
|
Persons who may be consulted under this subsection include |
|
|
colleges, universities, private and nonprofit organizations, |
|
|
regional education service centers, and any other persons |
|
|
identified as qualified by the district. This subsection applies |
|
|
to all training required by Subsection (d)(2), regardless of |
|
|
whether the training is provided at the campus or district level. |
|
|
(g) The staff development may[; and
|
|
|
[(3)] include instruction as to what is permissible |
|
|
under law, including opinions of the United States Supreme Court |
|
|
and guidance from the United States Department of Education, |
|
|
regarding prayer in public school. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 |
|
|
school year. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
|
|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
|
|
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
|
|
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
|
|
Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |