85th Legislative Presentation – 5th Parents Retirement Special Programs

Parent Notification HB 3563 - Teacher Qualifications Not required in the TEC if district is required under ESSA to provide notice teacher does not meet certification requirements at grade level or subject area SB 1566 - Complaints Board not required to address participation in extracurricular activity if it does not involve violation of a parental right

TRS CARE HB 3976 Increases state contribution for TRS-Care from 1.0% to 1.25% of active employee payroll Creates TRS Care Standard Plan – high deductible for retirees, spouses, dependents NOT eligible for Medicare Creates TRS-Care Medicare Advantage Plan for those eligible for Medicare

SB 1663 – Retire/Rehire Changes retire-rehire regarding promise of re-employment Individual is employed if doing a job within a year of retirement as: independent contractor or volunteer basis without compensation Allows TRS to impose late fee for failing to timely report employee retirement information to TRS based on size of district $1,000 to $25,000 per day after deadline Requires remittance of information to TRS before 11th day after last day of calendar month in which retiree is employed

Special Programs

HB 1645 – Special Olympics Requires district to allow high school students who participate in Special Olympics to earn a letter grade.

HB 1886 - Dyslexia ESC must employee a licensed dyslexia therapist to assist districts Students will be screened or tested as appropriate for dyslexia and related disorders for programs approved by SBOE Program must include screening at the end of the school year for students in kindergarten and first grade. Applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year

Dyslexia Training Opportunities TEA annually develop list of training opportunities List must include one training online Training comply with: Standards of international organization on dyslexia Enable educator to understand and recognize dyslexia Instruction is systematic, explicit, evidence-based

HB 1645 – Transition Planning for Special Education Allows parents and district to invite other persons to participate in planning is student is younger than 18 Student 18 or older may invite other persons to participate Extends number of issues ARD committee must consider and address in IEP Adds Texas Workforce commission to organizations districts must communicate and collaborate District provide in writing 1 year prior to 18th birthday of student to the student, parents, or guardian: Supported decision-making agreement under Chapter 1357 Estates Code Commissioner to develop and post on website model form for notification

SB 160 - Monitoring System Special Education Prohibits commissioner from adopting or implementing performance indicators in any monitoring system, including PBMAS, that solely measures aggregated numbers or percentage of enrolled students receiving special education services. Does NOT prohibit collecting data under federal requirements, including significant disproportionality based on race or ethnicity: Identification rates Particular types of impairments Placement in particular education settings Incidence, duration, type of disciplinary actions Including suspensions & expulsions

SB 748 – Transition Planning Special Education Program Modifies issues in IEP that ARD must consider, including: Type of involvement by parents/guardians Preparation for postsecondary-level course work Use and availability of: Supplementary aids Services Curricula Opportunities in developing decision-making skills

SB 748 – Transition Planning Special Education Program Prior to 1 year before student’s 18th birthday, district must provide to student and parents: Written notice of transfer of rights, information, resources regarding guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, supported decision-making agreement, other supports and services to enable student to live independently Insure IEP includes statement that notice was provided

SB 1398 – Video Cameras in Special Education Requires: Written request by authorized persons to trigger placement in classrooms where student receives services Begin operation of camera no later than 45th school business day or after request is authorized Reduces: Video retention period to 3 months after recording Does NOT require camera in operation for time when students are not present in classroom or special education setting

SB 2141 – Representative in Special Education Hearing Requires commissioner to adopt rules requiring representative who receives monetary compensation in a hearing: Abide by a voluntary code of ethics/conduct Enter into confidential written agreement with person who is subject to due process hearing

HB 2130 – TEA Study of Assessment on Students in Special Education Requirements: Determine if alternate assessment complies with ESSA Will the required assessments: Provide accurate assessment of academic achievement Result in administration as inappropriate for student capacity Result in decrease in numbers promoted Result in decrease in graduation rates Result in fewer opportunities to pursue high education Result in fewer opportunities for competitive employment Result in: Restrictions Alternative placements Limitations on advancement

HB 2130 - continued Determine if statutory changes have the effect of exempting students in special education from administration of an assessment Requires TEA to identify recommendations to improve impact of testing on special education students: With respect to improving promotion and graduation rates Reforms or changes in developing accommodations Changes to rules in development, adoption or administration of assessment Statutory changes to code relating to development, adoption, administration Any additional reforms or changes Report submitted to all legislators no later than October 1, 2018 Report to be published on website with all data on which agency relied to form determinations and recommendations

HB 2729 – Credentials/Certificates Earned by High School Students Requires TEA, THECB, TWC to develop and post: Inventory of industry-recognized credentials & certificates high school students could earn through CTE programs: Aligned to workforce needs Serve as entry point to middle/high wage jobs Inventory to include for each credential or certificate: Associated career cluster Awarding entity Level of education required or other requirements Fees for obtaining Average wage or salary Agencies to update and provide copy of inventory to each district and Agencies must post on websites

SB 22 – Pathways in Technology Program Creates Early College High School Program (P-TECH) Establishes advisory council composed of: 3 members representing school appointed by: One member by governor One member by lieutenant governor One member by speaker of House 6 members representing industry or business partners, appointed by: 2 members by governor 2 members by lieutenant governor 2 members by speaker of House

SB 22 Advisory council advises commissioner: Requires commissioner: Establishment of P-TECH program Criteria for designation as a campus Requires commissioner: Establish program for students who wish to participate in work-based education program Requires program: Be open enrollment Provide course of study grades 9-12 to combine high school courses and postsecondary courses Allow participating student to complete high school on or before 6th anniversary of first date of high school

SB 22 Requires program: Be open enrollment Provide course of study grades 9-12 to combine high school courses and postsecondary courses Allow participating student to complete high school on or before 6th anniversary of first day of high school Receive diploma and associate degree, 2 year postsecondary certificate or industry certification Complete work-based training through internship, apprenticeship or other job training program Include: Articulation agreements with higher education providing access to postsecondary training MOU with regional industry or business partners that provide access to work-based training Provide student flexibility in class scheduling and academic mentoring NO cost to participating students

SB 22 Articulation agreement must include: Curriculum alignment Instructional materials Instructional calendar Course of study Student enrollment and attendance Grading periods & policies Administration of statewide assessment instruments Commissioner to collaborate with TWC and THECB to develop & implement plan for P-TECH program to address: Regional workforce needs Credit transfer policies between institutions of higher education Internships, apprenticeships, other work-based education programs Allows businesses to partner with schools to provide work-based training

SB 22 Allows district to obtain accident medical expenses, liability or automobile insurance coverage to protect: Business or entity that partners for training and under P-TECH program Student enrolled in district who participates in program Coverage: Obtained from reliable authorized insurer Provided through a self-funded risk pool of which district is member Requires district notify parents if coverage is obtained Entitles student to immunity in same manner as professional employee of district

SB 22 Allows district to apply to commissioner for P-TECH designation Requires commissioner: Establish criteria for designation Requires district: Articulation agreement only with higher education accredited by accrediting agency recognized by THECB Review and update each MOE with industry or business partner every 2 years Explain how P-TECH will address regional workforce needs Commissioner to establish grant not to exceed $5 million Dropout does not apply until after 6th anniversary of student’s first day in high school

SB 1153 – Parental Rights Certain Intervention Strategies Defines Intervention Strategy Multi-tiered system of supports above level of intervention generally used with all children, including Response to Intervention Requires district to give written notice to parent of record relating to assistance provided for learning difficulties, including strategies used New requirement that written explanation include information regarding aid, accommodations, or services under 504 Information included in student handbook or other means

SB 1153 Requires district to: Notice to include: Notify parent, other than special education program, who receives assistance for learning difficulties through intervention strategies Notice provided: When children begins to receive assistance Written in English and parent’s native language to extent possible Notice to include: Reasonable description of assistance Information regarding “base tier” interventions Estimate of duration assistance will be provided Estimate time frame for when progress report will be provided Copy of TEA-provided notice, which may be given to parent during 504 meeting

SB 1153 Requires commissioner to mandate collection of data through PEIMS: Number of students receiving: Aids, Accommodations Services under 504 Total number of students enrolled who were provided intervention services

SB 1220 – Continuity of Education TEA to assist the transition of students who are homeless or in substitute care, from one school to another: Develop procedures to ensure new school relies on decisions made by previous school regarding placement in programs Requires student placed in comparable courses or educational programs Requires district to provide comparable services during referral process for special education services until new school develops an IEP