Section 29.027 - Grant Program Providing Training in Dyslexia for Teachers and Staff(a) The commissioner shall establish a program to award grants to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to increase local capacity to appropriately serve students with dyslexia.(b) A school district, including a school district acting through a district charter issued under Subchapter C, Chapter 12, or an open-enrollment charter school, including a charter school that primarily serves students with disabilities, as provided under Section 12.1014, is eligible to apply for a grant under this section if the district or school submits to the commissioner a proposal on the use of grant funds that:(1) incorporates evidence-based and research-based design; and(2) increases local capacity to appropriately serve students with dyslexia by providing:(A) high-quality training to classroom teachers and administrators in meeting the needs of students with dyslexia; or(B) training to intervention staff resulting in appropriate credentialing related to dyslexia.(c) The commissioner shall create an external panel of stakeholders, including parents of students with disabilities, to provide assistance in the selection of applications for the award of grants under this section.(d) The commissioner shall select grant recipients and award grant funds beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. The grants are to be awarded for two years.(e) A grant awarded to a school district or open-enrollment charter school under this section is in addition to the Foundation School Program funds that the district or charter school is otherwise entitled to receive. A grant awarded under this section may not come out of Foundation School Program funds.(f) The commissioner shall use funds appropriated or otherwise available to fund grants under this section.(g) The commissioner and any grant recipient selected under this section may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source, person, or group to implement and administer the grant. The commissioner and any grant recipient selected under this section may not require any financial contribution from parents to implement and administer the grant.(h) A regional education service center may administer grants awarded under this section.(i) This section expires September 1, 2023.Amended by Acts 2021, Texas Acts of the 87th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 806,Sec. 10, eff. 9/1/2021.Added by Acts 2017SP1, 2017, ch. 8,Sec. 3, eff. 11/14/2017.