Honorable Jimmie Don Aycock, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB39 by Zaffirini (Relating to the evaluation and instruction of public school students with visual impairments.), As Engrossed
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Section 30.002 of the Government Code to require that the comprehensive statewide plan for the education of children with visual impairments include methods to ensure that children with visual impairments receiving special education services in school districts receive prior to placement, or soon after placement in a classroom, an evaluation of the impairment and instruction in an expanded core curriculum. The provisions of the bill would begin with the 2013-14 school year.
The bill would take effect immediately if passed with the necessary voting margins, or September 1, 2013.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Education Agency, school districts may be required to hire additional staff to provide special instruction in addition to the currently required academic curriculum. The administrative costs would vary among school districts depending on the number of students with visual impairments receiving special education services, the availability of additional staff, and the services currently provided.
Source Agencies:
538 Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Department of, 701 Central Education Agency