81R33440 EAH-F

By: Lucio, Shapiro, Van de Putte, et al. S.B. No. 100

Substitute the following for S.B. No. 100:

By: Jackson C.S.S.B. No. 100

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to professional development institutes regarding education of students with disabilities to serve as a resource for public school teachers and paraprofessionals.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.461 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.461. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES REGARDING EDUCATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. (a) The commissioner shall develop and make available professional development institutes for teachers and paraprofessionals relating to research-based instructional services for students with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders.

(b) A professional development institute developed under this section must address:

(1) disability-specific information necessary to enable a teacher or paraprofessional to work effectively in the classroom with students with disabilities;

(2) instructional techniques proven by scientifically based research, as defined by Section 9101, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Section 7801), to be effective in teaching the curriculum required under Section 28.002 to students with disabilities; and

(3) appropriate management of behaviors related to a student's disability that may affect the student's performance.

(c) The commissioner shall develop one or more professional development institutes that offer applied behavior analysis training programs provided by or supervised by a person certified as a behavior analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. A training program under this subsection must provide:

(1) public access to lectures and training on the agency's Internet website and the appropriate regional education service center's Internet website;

(2) individual consultation in the classroom with students for at least six one-hour sessions;

(3) telephone or in-person video review for at least three one-hour sessions; and

(4) access to the teacher's mentor through telephone or videoconference consultation during the program.

(d) The commissioner shall develop a list of providers approved to conduct an applied behavior analysis training program under Subsection (c). A training program may be provided by a regional education service center, district specialist, university, private entity, private consultant, or other entity that provides training.

(e) The commissioner shall adopt criteria for selection of teachers and paraprofessionals authorized to attend a professional development institute, including an applied behavior analysis training program, developed under this section. The commissioner must give priority to teachers and paraprofessionals who have a significant level of professional contact with students with autism spectrum disorders.

(f) From funds appropriated for the purpose, as well as other available sources, the commissioner shall pay a stipend to each teacher or paraprofessional who completes a professional development institute developed under Subsection (a). The commissioner shall determine the amount of the stipend paid under this subsection.

(g) The commissioner shall, for each teacher or paraprofessional who completes training in an applied behavior analysis training program developed under Subsection (c), pay to the provider the cost of providing the program to the teacher or paraprofessional. The commissioner may determine a maximum amount that may be paid to provide the program under this subsection.

(h) Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the commissioner shall submit a report regarding the success of the institutes developed under this section, including recommendations for changes, to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and presiding officer of each legislative committee with primary jurisdiction over public education.

SECTION 2. This Act does not make an appropriation. This Act takes effect only if a specific appropriation for the implementation of the Act is provided in the General Appropriations Act of the 81st Legislature.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.