The board must study best practices for helping students with autism spectrum disorder in higher education, report its findings by December 1, 2025, and not use personally identifiable student information.
For expiration of this section, see Subsection (e). Sec. 61.06694. STUDY AND REPORT ON ASSISTING STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. (a) The board, with the assistance of the advisory council on postsecondary education for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities established under Section 61.06641, shall conduct a study to determine best practices for assisting students with autism spectrum disorder who are enrolled at institutions of higher education. (b) The study must: (1) identify and track: (A) the number of students with autism spectrum disorder who graduate from secondary schools in this state; (B) the number of students with autism spectrum disorder who are enrolled at institutions of higher education; (C) the student financial assistance available to students with autism spectrum disorder who enroll at institutions of higher education; and (D) the graduation rates of students with autism spectrum disorder who enroll at institutions of higher education; and (2) identify and examine best practices and program modules from public and private institutions of higher education outside this state that have achieved successful results in working with students with autism spectrum disorder. (c) In conducting the study, the board: (1) shall collaborate with the Texas Education Agency regarding specialized programs offered by elementary or secondary schools for students with autism spectrum disorder to determine how those programs could be replicated at or extended to postsecondary institutions; and (2) may not request, require, or use personally identifiable student information. (d) Not later than December 1, 2025, the board shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the commissioner of education a written report that includes the study's findings and any recommendations for legislative or other action. (e) This section expires January 1, 2026. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1039 (S.B. 55), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2023.