TX
Texas Senate Bill SB2082

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2082

Filed
 
Out of Senate Committee
4/27/09  
Voted on by Senate
4/30/09  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to determining a student's eligibility for a school district's special education program on the basis of the student's visual impairment.

Impact

If enacted, SB2082 would have significant implications for how school districts determine eligibility for special education services related to visual impairments. By stipulating that evaluations include specific criteria and require the involvement of certified orientation and mobility specialists, the bill aims to create a more comprehensive and standardized evaluation process. This could lead to improved educational outcomes for visually impaired students by addressing their unique needs more effectively through tailored assessments.

Summary

SB2082 seeks to amend the Texas Education Code relating to the evaluation criteria for a child's eligibility in special education programs, specifically for students with visual impairments. The proposed changes would require a full individual and initial evaluation of a student to include an orientation and mobility assessment carried out by a certified specialist. This addition intends to enhance the quality of evaluations by ensuring they occur in various environments, including the student’s home, school, and community, as well as during both day and nighttime conditions.

Contention

While the bill seems to target an important improvement in educational assessments for visually impaired students, some stakeholders may raise concerns about the implementation aspects. Potential contention could arise regarding the availability of certified specialists, the resources required by school districts to comply with the new evaluation process, and how these changes could impact existing special education frameworks. Balancing the additional requirements against existing workloads and budgets within school districts might be a point of discussion as legislators consider the bill.

Companion Bills

TX HB4555

Identical Relating to determining a student's eligibility for a school district's special education program on the basis of the student's visual impairment.

Previously Filed As

TX HB272

Relating to the terminology used to refer to certain disabilities and to an individualized education team for purposes of determining a student's eligibility for special education services and providing those services in public schools.

TX HB1369

Relating to a student's eligibility for special education services provided by a school district, including services for dyslexia and related disorders.

TX HB950

Relating to a student's eligibility for special education services provided by a school district, including services for dyslexia and related disorders.

TX SB2487

Relating to a student's eligibility for special education services provided by a school district, including services for dyslexia and related disorders.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB3781

Relating to special education in public schools, including the special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an education savings account program for certain children with disabilities, and a grant program to reimburse public schools for the cost of certain employer contributions for retirees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas employed to teach special education.

TX SB1474

Relating to special education in public schools, including the special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an education savings account program for certain children with disabilities, and a grant program to reimburse public schools for the cost of certain employer contributions for retirees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas employed to teach or provide services related to special education.

TX HB2803

Relating to a program to serve special education students' needs.

TX SB1539

Relating to the terminology used to refer to an individualized education program team.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.