81R9724 CAS-D
By: Turner of Harris H.B. No. 2747
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to disciplinary alternative education programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 37.008, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (a-1) and adding Subsections (a-2),
(a-3), and (n) to read as follows:
(a) Each school district shall provide a disciplinary
alternative education program that:
(1) is provided in a setting other than a student's
regular classroom;
(2) is located on or off of a regular school campus;
(3) provides for the students who are assigned to the
disciplinary alternative education program to be separated from
students who are not assigned to the program;
(4) focuses on English language arts, mathematics,
science, history, and self-discipline;
(5) provides for students' educational and behavioral
needs, including a student's special education needs as provided
under Subsection (a-2);
(6) provides supervision and counseling;
(7) employs:
(A) only teachers who meet all certification
requirements established under Subchapter B, Chapter 21; and
(B) a sufficient number of teachers to maintain
an average ratio of not less than one teacher for each 15 students
placed in the district's program; and
(8) provides not less than the minimum amount of
instructional time per day required by Section 25.082(a).
(a-1) The agency shall adopt minimum standards for the
operation of disciplinary alternative education programs,
including standards relating to:
(1) [student/teacher ratios;
[(2)] student health and safety;
(2) [(3)] reporting of abuse, neglect, or
exploitation of students; and
(3) [(4)] training for teachers in behavior
management and safety procedures[; and
[(5) planning for a student's transition from a
disciplinary alternative education program to a regular campus].
(a-2) A disciplinary alternative education program must
provide to a student participating in a school district's special
education program educational services as necessary to support the
student in meeting the goals identified in the student's
individualized education program and in accordance with:
(1) Subchapter A, Chapter 29;
(2) Section 37.004; and
(3) federal law.
(a-3) Section 29.081 applies to a disciplinary alternative
education program.
(n) A school district shall establish transition procedures
for a student who is returning from a disciplinary alternative
education program to the student's regularly assigned education
program. The procedures must provide for:
(1) a timeline for the student's transition;
(2) written and oral communication from each
disciplinary alternative education program employee assigned to
the student to each employee at the student's regularly assigned
education program assigned to the student concerning the student's
disciplinary alternative education program placement, including
communication concerning the student's academic performance and
assignments or other tasks completed; and
(3) a written list of any actions taken during the
student's disciplinary alternative education program placement to
satisfy Section 29.081(a).
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.