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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to professional development institutes for public school |
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teachers and paraprofessionals regarding education of students |
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with disabilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.461 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.461. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES REGARDING |
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EDUCATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. (a) The commissioner |
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shall develop and make available professional development |
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institutes for teachers and paraprofessionals relating to |
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research-based instructional services for students with |
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disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders. |
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(b) A professional development institute developed under |
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this section must address: |
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(1) disability-specific information necessary to |
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enable a teacher or paraprofessional to work effectively in the |
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classroom with students with disabilities; |
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(2) instructional techniques proven by scientifically |
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based research to be effective in teaching the curriculum required |
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under Section 28.002 to students with disabilities; and |
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(3) appropriate management of behaviors related to a |
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student's disability that may affect the student's performance. |
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(c) The commissioner shall adopt criteria for selection of |
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teachers and paraprofessionals authorized to attend a professional |
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development institute developed under this section. The |
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commissioner must give priority to teachers and paraprofessionals |
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who have a significant level of professional contact with students |
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with autism spectrum disorders. |
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(d) From funds appropriated for the purpose, the |
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commissioner shall pay a stipend to each teacher or |
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paraprofessional who completes a professional development |
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institute developed under this section. The commissioner shall |
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determine the amount of the stipend paid under this subsection. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |