BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 987
81R5921 KKA-D By: Shapiro
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
A key purpose of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is "to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living." In November 2007, the Texas Education Agency changed its rules to require a student's admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee to consider transition issues beginning when the student turns 16 years of age instead of the previous requirement for the planning to begin at the age of 14. Successful planning for success after school for students with special needs often takes years, and by the age of 16, many students with disabilities have already dropped out of school.
As proposed, S.B. 987 requires transition planning for students with special needs to begin no later than the age of 14.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1 (Section 29.011, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 29.011, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 29.011. TRANSITION PLANNING. Requires the commissioner of education to by rule adopt procedures for compliance with federal requirements relating to transition services for students who are enrolled in special education programs under this subchapter. Requires that procedures provide that transition planning begins for a student not later than when the student reaches 14 years of age; and specify the manner in which a student's admission, review, and dismissal committee must consider, and if appropriate, address certain issues in the student's individualized education program. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.