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PRINTER'S NO. 2053
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1809
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY ORTITAY, KULIK, GUENST, HILL-EVANS, LEWIS
DELROSSO, RYAN, GAYDOS, MIHALEK AND JOZWIAK, AUGUST 31, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, AUGUST 31, 2021
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," providing for disability inclusive
curriculum.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XVII-D
DISABILITY INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM
Section 1701-D. Scope of article.
This article establishes a pilot program to provide
instruction to students on the political, economic and social
contributions of individuals with disabilities.
Section 1702-D. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
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context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Nonpublic school." A nonprofit school, other than a school
entity, wherein a resident of this Commonwealth may legally
fulfill the compulsory school attendance requirements of this
act and which meets the requirements of Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).
"Pilot program." The Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot
Program established under this article.
"Professional educator." As defined in section 1205.2(o).
"School entity." A school district, joint school district,
charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school,
intermediate area or area career and technical school.
Section 1703-D. Pilot program.
(a) Establishment.--The department shall establish a
Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program to provide
instruction to students on the political, economic and social
contributions of individuals with disabilities.
(b) Operation.--The pilot program shall operate for three
full school years, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year.
(c) Selection of school entities.--
(1) The department shall select no less than eight
school entities or nonpublic schools to participate in the
pilot program in accordance with the following:
(i) Six of the participants in the pilot program
shall include at least one of each of the following:
(A) A school district.
(B) A charter school.
(C) A cyber charter school.
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(D) A regional charter school.
(ii) Two of the participants in the pilot program
shall be nonpublic schools.
(2) To be eligible for the pilot program, the school
entity or nonpublic school must submit a proposal to the
department no more than six months after the effective date
of this section that identifies how the school entity or
nonpublic school will meet the guidelines of the pilot
program established by the department.
Section 1704-D. Department responsibilities.
(a) Funding.--The department shall apply for Federal,
private and other non-State funds and shall use funds
appropriated or otherwise made available to the department for
the pilot program.
(b) Consultation.--
(1) No later than three months after the effective date
of this section, the department shall establish and consult
with an advisory committee in establishing, operating and
evaluating the pilot program.
(2) The advisory committee shall be composed of
representatives from all of the following:
(i) The State Board of Education.
(ii) A special education advocate.
(iii) A special education advisory panel.
(iv) The Pennsylvania Training and Technical
Assistance Network.
(v) School districts.
(vi) Intermediate units.
(vii) Nonpublic schools.
(viii) Statewide professional teacher associations.
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(ix) Parents, guardians or caretakers of students
with disabilities.
(x) Individuals with disabilities.
(xi) School entities that provide instruction to
students with disabilities.
(xii) Charter schools.
(xiii) Pennsylvania Charter Schools for the Deaf and
Blind.
(xiv) Approved private schools.
(3) The advisory committee shall be comprised of no less
than 75% of individuals with disabilities who are
geographically diverse throughout this Commonwealth.
(c) Guidelines.--No later than three months after the
effective date of this section, the department shall establish
guidelines and procedures for the pilot program using the
suggested curriculum provided by the advisory committee under
subsection (b) . The department may alter the suggested
curriculum provided by the advisory committee under subsection
(b) before establishing guidelines and procedures for the pilot
program.
Section 1705-D. Pilot program evaluation.
(a) Report by school entities.--A participating school
entity or nonpublic school shall annually report to the
department data and information about the operation of the pilot
program, in the manner prescribed by the department. At a
minimum, a participating school entity or nonpublic school shall
annually report to the department about how the participating
school entity or nonpublic school met the objectives of the
pilot program and the difficulties encountered in seeking to
meet the objectives of the pilot program.
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(b) Evaluation.--The department shall contract with a
nationally recognized educational evaluation institution or
organization to provide an evaluation of the pilot program to
review the effectiveness of the implementation of a curriculum
inclusive to individuals with a disability. The evaluation shall
be published on the department's publicly accessible Internet
website.
(c) Report by department.--The department shall compile an
annual report based on the data and information received about
the operation of the pilot program under subsection (a). The
department shall annually submit the report under this
subsection to all of the following:
(1) The chair and minority chair of the Education
Committee of the Senate.
(2) The chair and minority chair of the Education
Committee of the House of Representatives.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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