By: Collier H.B. No. 3816
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force to study the referral and
evaluation methods by which students are determined to be eligible
for special education resources.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. TASK FORCE; STUDY. (a) A task force is
established to study the referral and evaluation methods by which
students are determined to be eligible for special education
resources.
(b) The study must consider:
(1) the relationship between referring students to
special education classrooms and funding, including weighted
funding formulas and standardized test result-based funding
policies;
(2) the utilization of parental notification and
involvement at key points in the evaluation and referral process,
including but not limited to explanations of evaluation methods to
be used in the Full and Individual Initial Evaluation and Review of
Existing Evaluation Data;
(3) the methods to effectively promote parental
involvement and education in the referral and evaluation process;
(4) the use of each disability category as defined by
state law in establishing eligibility for special education
resources and the incidence of removal from general education
classrooms;
(5) the implementation of non-discrimination policies
as set forth in the individuals with Disabilities Education Act in
the referral and evaluation process, including but not limited to
methods of evaluation used and demographics of current enrollment.
SECTION 2. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2015, the
task force shall submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives:
(1) the findings and legislative, policy, and research
recommendations of the task force; and
(2) a description of the activities of the task force.
SECTION 3.
The task force is abolished on January 1, 2016.
SECTION 4. 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, 2013.