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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to staff development requirements in public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 21.451, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to |
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read as follows: |
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(d) The staff development [may]: |
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(1) may include training in: |
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(A) technology; |
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(B) conflict resolution; and |
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(C) discipline strategies, including classroom |
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management, district discipline policies, and the student code of |
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conduct adopted under Section 37.001 and Chapter 37; and |
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(2) subject to Subsection (e), must include |
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research-based training that: |
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(A) relates to instruction of students with |
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disabilities; and |
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(B) is designed for educators who work primarily |
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outside the area of special education. |
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(e) A school district is required to provide the training |
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described by Subsection (d)(2) to an educator who works primarily |
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outside the area of special education only on the recommendation of |
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the admission, review, and dismissal committee for a student |
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receiving instruction from the educator. |
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(f) In developing the training required by Subsection |
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(d)(2), a school district must consult with persons with expertise |
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in research-based practices for students with disabilities. |
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Persons who may be consulted under this subsection include |
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colleges, universities, private and nonprofit organizations, |
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regional education service centers, and any other persons |
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identified as qualified by the district. This subsection applies |
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to all training required by Subsection (d)(2), regardless of |
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whether the training is provided at the campus or district level. |
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(g) The staff development may[; and
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[(3)] include instruction as to what is permissible |
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under law, including opinions of the United States Supreme Court |
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and guidance from the United States Department of Education, |
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regarding prayer in public school. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |