Advocacy Action Alert | SB 180 – Improved Teacher Training!

SB 180 – Improved Teacher Training!

UPDATED: 5/2/21   Updated: 4/26/21   Posted: 4/8/21

Issue:

Students in special education vary greatly in their disabilities and learning and support needs, including students with autism. SB-180 would improve training and staff development for primary and secondary educators to enable them to more effectively serve all students. The bill would specify what each educator is expected to know and be able to do, particularly with regard to students with disabilities. The training and development would include things such as evidence based inclusion practices, accommodations, flexibility in the ways material is presented, reduce barriers to instruction, and maintain high achievement expectations.

Bill:

SB 180 by Senator Eddie Lucio (Companion: HB 159 by Rep.Mary Gonzalez)

Full bill text can be found here: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=SB180

Specific Action Needed:

UPDATED 5/2/21: Contact your own Texas Senator and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and tell them: “Please support SB 180! Students with autism and other disabilities need to have educators who are trained in how they can best support these students.” 

Completed-4/27/21: SB 180 is scheduled for a committee hearing TOMORROW morning, 4/27/2021, at 9 a.m. Please contact the Senate Education Committee members and the Committee Clerk Bradley Hurt. Ask, “Please support SB 180! Students with autism and other disabilities need to have educators who are trained in how they can best support these students.” 

Who to Call/Email:

UPDATED 5/2/21: Contact your own Texas State Senator-find them here: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home   Please also contact Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: (512) 463-0001  dan.patrick@ltgov.state.tx.us

Completed. 4/8/21 & 4/27/21: Please contact members of the Senate Education Committee below.

Now take action on the companion bill, HB 159: https://www.texasautismsociety.org/hb195-teachertraining/

Let us know if you were successful or if AST Advocacy staff need to do any follow-ups at 512-479-4199 Ext. 10 or advocacy@texasautismsociety.org.