Actively sponsored by members of Texas Association of the Deaf.
NEW UPDATE!
05/22/17: Texas Tribute column on SB 354
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05/04/17: SB 354 is pending.
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04/28/17: SB 354 hearing has been set! May 2nd at 9am. Capitol room E1.028. Come and Support the bill! Wear Turquoise!
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04/24/17: View the newest version of the bill (committee substitute) click here!
Vote YES
SB354 & HB3253
Relating to language acquisition for children less than eight years of age
who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Myth #1
LEAD-K is a mandate for American Sign Language!
FACT
LEAD-K does not require kids or families to learn ASL! Families must be offered testing and other information and resources in English, in ASL, or in BOTH LANGUAGES!
Myth #2
LEAD-K takes away parents’ rights!
FACT
Under federal law, ANY assessment must be performed with parental consent. LEAD-K expands resources available to parents.
Myth #3
LEAD-K places too much responsibility on educators!
FACT
Assessments and services are required under federal law.
LEAD-K gets needed resources to educators to help them do their jobs more easily!
Myth #4
LEAD-K takes control away from local special education entities.
FACT
The volunteer advisory committee can’t encroach on the authority of the local IEP and IFSP teams.
The advisory committee will merely identify resources to be made available for local districts and special education teams.
Myth #5
These expert-recommended tests won’t be right for ALL our kids particularly those who speak a different native language!
FACT
LEAD-K does not eliminate assessments designed for other languages or for other disability needs it adds to those options! Under federal law, assessments must be conducted in the native language of the child or family.
Frequently Asked Questions
in America Sign Language
come with English captions.
How can you support SB 354 and HB 3253?
CALL TO ACTION!
Senate Education Committee
Ask them to support SB 354
Send ALL of them
(Copy & paste this letter to your email)
∙ Be sure to put down subject line such as “Support SB 354”
∙ Include your full name and home address so it is clear that you are a constituent.
∙ Replace yellow highlight.
∙ Do send an individual email.
** Do not copy other representatives or send a mass e-mail! **
∙ No special layouts or graphics. Do not include attachments.
Public Education Committee
Ask them to support HB 3253
Send ALL of them
(Copy & paste this letter to your email)
∙ Be sure to put down subject line such as “Support HB 3253”
∙ Include your full name and home address so it is clear that you are a constituent.
∙ Replace yellow highlight.
∙ Do send an individual email.
** Do not copy other representatives or send a mass e-mail! **
∙ No special layouts or graphics. Do not include attachments.
Also contact legislators in your district too!
1) Go to this link (must enter full address) www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
2) Put down who is your Texas State Senator and Texas State Representative.
- Texas State Senator: SB 354 (Copy & paste this letter to your email) * Replace yellow highlight.
- Texas State Representative: HB 3253 (Copy & paste this letter to your email) * Replace yellow highlight.
3) Click on the hyperlink of their name and it will redirect you to their website.
4) Click on the email and fill out the information.
5) Copy and paste the letter into the body of email section.
IMPORTANT:
- Be sure to put down subject line such as “Support SB 354” or "Support HB 3253"
- Include your full name and home address so it is clear that you are a constituent.
- Do send an individual email. Don't copy other representatives or send a mass e-mail!
- No special layouts or graphics. Do not include attachments!