bill requiring a path back to general education

The text as introduced · 409 words

89R3006 ANG-D

By: Menéndez
S.B. No. 544

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to required individualized education program supplements

for certain public school students placed in alternative special

education settings.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 29.0053 to read as follows:

Sec. 29.0053. INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT

FOR STUDENTS IN ALTERNATIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION SETTINGS. (a) In

this section:

(1) "Alternative special education setting" means:

(A) a school district campus at which 90 percent

or more of the enrolled students are provided special education and

related services; or

(B) a self-contained program that:

(i) operates as a separate campus from the

campus in which the program is located; and

(ii) provides special education and related

services to 90 percent or more of the students in regular

attendance.

(2) "Committee" means a committee established under

Section 29.005(a).

(b) In developing or modifying an individualized education

program for a student who receives special education or related

services in an alternative special education setting, the student's

committee shall develop and include in an attached supplement to

the written statement of the student's individualized education

program individualized, measurable goals for academic and

social-emotional and behavioral growth that would allow the student

to be returned to a general education setting. The committee must

meet at least once each semester to review the student's progress

toward the goals developed under this subsection and determine

whether the student may be returned to a general education setting.

SECTION 2. Section 29.011, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (a-3) to read as follows:

(a-3) The procedures adopted under Subsection (a) must

require the admission, review, and dismissal committee for a

student who is at least 18 years of age and receiving special

education or related services in an alternative special education

setting, as defined by Section 29.0053, to develop and include in an

attached supplement to the written statement of the student's

individualized education program individualized, measurable goals

for the issues described by Subsections (a)(7) and (8).

SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

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, 2025.