LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 16, 2007

TO:	Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3487 by King, Susan (Relating to staff development requirements concerning the instruction of students with disabilities in public schools.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require teachers of students for whom an individualized education program (IEP) has been developed to complete a minimum number of hours of staff development in the instruction of students with disabilities every three years.  The bill would allow that district-approved professional development activities or training other than staff development provided by the district may satisfy the training requirements of the bill. 

 

The bill would direct the Commissioner of Education to adopt rules and develop a three-year implementation plan requiring one-third of teachers requiring training be trained in each of the first three years of implementation.  The Texas Education Agency indicates that several relevant training programs are current available through Regional Education Service Centers (RESCs).  No significant fiscal impact to the state is anticipated associated with implementing the provisions of the bill.

 

The bill would require the Texas Education Agency to coordinate with the Health and Human Services Commission to maintain an Internet web site that provides resources for teachers of students with special health needs.

Local Government Impact

For purposes of this estimate, it is assumed that all teachers would require training under the provisions of the bill, which would result in about 105,333 teachers being trained in each of the first three years of implementation. If all the training were provided through RESCs and assuming a $250 fee for training through RESCs, the annual cost would be estimated at $26.3 million statewide.  To the extent that teachers are already participating in regular training that would fulfill the provisions of the bill, that affected teachers participate in district-approved training not provided by the district, or that districts provide training at a lower cost, costs would be reduced.  This bill would establish additional requirements for local assistance for teachers with disabilities. It is assumed that local school districts would pay the cost any training and assistance they provide.

Source Agencies:

701 Central Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JOB, JSp, UP, JSc