This website will be unavailable from Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.

BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 451

81R2695 KKA-D                                                                                                   By: Van de Putte

                                                                                                                                            Education

                                                                                                                                              3/9/2009

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

According to the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, professionals, families, and advocates of students with disabilities understand that educating these students requires specialized training.  However, the foremost concern of families of students with disabilities and professionals who work with them is the quality of teacher preparation.

 

There are relatively few consistent training opportunities for teachers who work with students with disabilities.  During the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, the legislature struck the language mandating staff development training in public schools under Section 21.451 (Staff Development Requirements), Texas Education Code, and replaced it with discretionary language.  Under this change, districts no longer have to provide staff development to teachers who work with students with disabilities and work primarily outside the area of special education.

 

As proposed,  S.B. 451 requires that school districts, upon recommendation of the admission, review, and dismissal committee, provide teachers with research-based training regarding effective practices in dealing with special needs students.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 21.451, Education Code, by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g), as follows:

 

(d)  Authorizes that staff development include training in technology, conflict resolution, and discipline strategies, including classroom management, district discipline policies, and the student code of conduct adopted under Section 37.001 (Student Code of Conduct) and Chapter 37 (Discipline; Law and Order); and subject to Subsection (e), requires that staff development include research-based training that relates to instruction of students with disabilities and is designed for educators who work primarily outside the area of special education.  Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

(e)  Provides that 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)  Requires a school district, in developing the training required by Subsection (d)(2), to consult with persons with expertise in research-based practices for students with disabilities.  Provides that persons authorized to 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.  Provides that 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)  Authorizes that staff development 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.  Makes a nonsubstantive change.

 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2009.