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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a certification program for teachers of students with |
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visual impairments. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 30.002, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (g) and adding Subsections (h) and (i) to read |
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as follows: |
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(g) To become certified as a teacher of students with visual |
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impairments, an educator must: |
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(1) successfully complete all course work required by |
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a State Board for Educator Certification-approved preparation |
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program in that field; and |
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(2) pass the State Board for Educator |
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Certification-approved examinations in braille and in visual |
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impairments. |
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(h) In order to teach students with visual impairments in |
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this state, teachers certified in other states or territories must |
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meet the requirements established by the State Board for Educator |
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Certification. |
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(i) To facilitate implementation of this section, the |
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commissioner shall develop a system to distribute from the |
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foundation school fund to school districts or regional education |
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service centers a special supplemental allowance for each student |
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with a visual impairment and for each student with a serious visual |
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disability and another medically diagnosed disability of a |
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significantly limiting nature who is receiving special education |
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services through any approved program. The supplemental allowance |
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may be spent only for special services uniquely required by the |
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nature of the student's disabilities and may not be used in lieu of |
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educational funds otherwise available under this code or through |
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state or local appropriations. |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2009. |