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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Postsecondary education offers numerous |
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opportunities and benefits for young people, including those with |
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intellectual disabilities; and |
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WHEREAS, Education is a key determinant for the future |
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success of students with intellectual disabilities, much as it is |
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for the general population; research studies have found that |
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persons with disabilities who attend college are significantly more |
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likely to obtain competitive employment with higher wages, live |
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with less support, and play an active role in their communities; and |
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WHEREAS, College can foster academic as well as personal |
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growth by allowing students to explore new interests, pursue goals, |
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and form friendships, and the experience of studying alongside |
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peers without disabilities can have a positive effect on |
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self-esteem; moreover, postsecondary education can provide a |
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healthy challenge to students with intellectual disabilities that |
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segregated school programs do not, and maintaining high |
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expectations for these students is vital to their success; and |
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WHEREAS, A range of federal laws and initiatives exists to |
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help persons with intellectual disabilities seamlessly transition |
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into places of higher learning and to encourage the establishment |
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of inclusive programs; from 2002 to 2010, the number of college |
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programs open to students with intellectual disabilities increased |
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from 4 to more than 250, according to the Administration on |
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Developmental Disabilities; even so, too few people with |
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intellectual disabilities advance to postsecondary education, in |
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part because programs that accommodate them do not exist within |
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their communities; and |
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WHEREAS, Regardless of ability, all students stand to gain |
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from the rigor, resources, and advantages afforded by a quality |
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postsecondary education, and its increased accessibility is indeed |
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an endeavor worthy of support; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the importance of postsecondary |
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education for persons with intellectual disabilities in attaining a |
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secure and rewarding livelihood. |