SB 1135 Summary

• Allows strict discipline academies to enroll pupils identified by school administrators as requiring intense individual intervention for highly accelerated or severe academic/nonacademic needs, even if not yet determined to be eligible for special education.

• Requires expedited evaluation if a special education eligibility assessment is requested while a pupil is referred to a strict discipline academy under the new enrollment category.

• Establishes that pupils determined to be children with disabilities after evaluation must receive special education services in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, regardless of prior suspension or expulsion status.

• Permits pupils to remain enrolled in a strict discipline academy after ceasing to meet eligibility requirements if they choose to continue and meet other applicable enrollment requirements.

• Makes technical changes replacing "shall" with "must" throughout the section and updating cross-references to accommodate new subsection (6) for the expanded enrollment category.