Tuesday, June 2, 2009

NEWS: Federal bill HR 2597: Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools Act of 2009 introduced

From the June 1, 2009 edition of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

Legislative News in Brief:,with annotation and links added.

Positive Behavior Supports

Rep. Phil Hare [on 5/21/09] introduced the
Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools Act of 2009 (H.R. 2597).

The bill makes modest amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to foster the use of school wide positive behavior supports (SWPBS) in schools across the country. It also supports training of teachers, provides for technical assistance, research and related school reform activities that help improve the overall school environment.

Additionally, the legislation would establish a new office within the Department of Education that would help coordinate and administer activities assisting specialized instructional support personnel who provide a critical role in the link between social and academic outcomes for students. AUCD signed onto a coalition letter to Rep. Hare in support of the bill. It is hoped that the issue of improper use of restraints and seclusion in schools brought to light in a recent hearing and through a GAO report, will provide the impetus to help move this bill quickly.

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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