87R7162 CXP-F
By: Lucio S.B. No. 688
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the development of a special education services matrix.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.0012 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.0012. SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES MATRIX. (a) The
commissioner shall develop and periodically update materials for
use in evaluating the special education services provided to a
student under this subchapter, including:
(1) a special education services matrix that:
(A) identifies categories for special education
services;
(B) assigns intensity levels for the services in
each category; and
(C) produces an aggregate score to assign to each
student enrolled in a special education program under this
subchapter based on the intensity level of services the student
requires across the categories; and
(2) a handbook for using the special education
services matrix to assist school districts in determining the
nature and intensity levels of the special education services
provided to a student under this subchapter.
(b) In developing the materials under Subsection (a), the
commissioner shall:
(1) review and adapt, as appropriate, special
education services matrixes used by other states; and
(2) consult with stakeholders, including:
(A) public school finance experts;
(B) directors of school district special
education programs;
(C) superintendents of school districts;
(D) public school campus administrators;
(E) teachers certified in special education;
(F) teachers certified in general education;
(G) providers of special services that are
described as "related services" under Section 29.002(2);
(H) representatives of advocacy organizations
with an interest in special education;
(I) parents of students receiving special
education services under this subchapter; and
(J) any other person or organization the
commissioner considers appropriate.
(c) The commissioner of education shall develop a proposal
for a method of funding for special education services based on the
special education matrix developed under Subsection (a). The
proposal must include:
(1) recommendations to the legislature for changes to
the public school finance system necessary to transition the
financing of special education services provided by school
districts from the special education allotment under Section 49.102
to an allotment based on the nature and intensity levels of the
special education services provided by districts; and
(2) a transition plan for implementing the
recommendations under Subdivision (1), including a recommended
timeline for implementation.
(d) The commissioner shall confer with the Legislative
Budget Board to develop the proposal under Subsection (c).
(e) Not later than September 1, 2022, the commissioner shall
submit written or electronic copies of the materials developed
under Subsections (a) and (c) to the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, and the members of the
standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over
public education, and shall provide revised materials as soon as
practicable after each periodic update of the materials.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.