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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the qualifications of personnel working with special |
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education students. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 29.0052 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.0052. QUALIFICATIONS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION |
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PERSONNEL. (a) A student who is enrolled in a special education |
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program must have an education in which teachers and other |
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professionals and paraprofessionals providing special education |
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instruction understand the unique nature of the student's special |
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needs. |
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(b) The commissioner by rule shall require each school |
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district to include in each student's individualized education |
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program any information or requirement determined necessary to |
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ensure that each person providing special education instruction to |
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the student is either proficient or certified, if applicable, in |
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appropriate education methods. |
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(c) Each school district shall employ or provide access to |
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appropriate qualified personnel with proficient skills, consistent |
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with credentialing requirements, to fulfill the responsibilities |
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of the school district. |
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(d) Regular and special personnel who work with students |
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enrolled in a special education program must be adequately prepared |
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to provide educational instruction and services to those students. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |