Bill Text: TX SB688 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the development of a special education services matrix.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-11 - Referred to Education [SB688 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB688-Introduced.html
  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.
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