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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1030
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WHEREAS, Postsecondary education offers numerous |
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opportunities and benefits for young people, including those |
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with 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 |
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more likely to obtain competitive employment with higher wages, |
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live with less support, and play an active role in their |
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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 |
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goals, and form friendships, and the experience of studying |
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alongside peers without disabilities can have a positive effect |
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on self-esteem; moreover, postsecondary education can provide a |
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healthy challenge to students with intellectual disabilities |
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that 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 |
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transition into places of higher learning and to encourage the |
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establishment of inclusive programs; from 2002 to 2010, the |
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number of college programs open to students with intellectual |
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disabilities increased from four to more than 250, according to |
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the Administration on Developmental Disabilities; even so, too |
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few people with intellectual disabilities advance to |
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postsecondary education, in part because programs that |
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accommodate them do not exist within 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 |
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indeed an endeavor worthy of support; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd |
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Legislature, hereby recognize the importance of postsecondary |
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education for persons with intellectual disabilities in |
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attaining a secure and rewarding livelihood. |
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Zaffirini |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on May 23, 2013. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |