Bill Text: TX HB3494 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to educator preparation programs and teacher certification examinations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-21 - Left pending in committee [HB3494 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB3494-Introduced.html

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84R7999 KKA-D
By: Huberty H.B. No. 3494

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to educator preparation programs and teacher
certification examinations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 21.0441, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
(c) The overall grade point average of each incoming class
admitted by an educator preparation program, including an
alternative educator preparation program, may not be less than 3.00
on a four-point scale or the equivalent or a higher overall grade
point average prescribed by the board. In computing the overall
grade point average of an incoming class for purposes of this
subsection, a program may:
(1) include the grade point average of each person in
the incoming class based on all course work previously attempted by
the person at a public or private institution of higher education;
or
(2) include the grade point average of each person in
the incoming class based only on the last 60 semester credit hours
attempted by the person at a public or private institution of higher
education.
(d) A person seeking career and technology education
certification is not included in determining the overall grade
point average of an incoming class under Subsection (c).
SECTION 2. Section 21.045(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) Each educator preparation program shall submit data
elements as required by the board for an annual performance report
to ensure access and equity. At a minimum, the annual report must
contain:
(1) the performance data from Subsection (a), other
than the data required for purposes of Subsection (a)(3), and the
following information, disaggregated by sex and ethnicity:
(A) [(1)] the number of candidates who apply;
(B) [(2)] the number of candidates admitted;
(C) [(3)] the number of candidates retained;
(D) [(4)] the number of candidates completing
the program;
(E) [(5)] the number of candidates employed as
beginning teachers [in the profession] after completing the
program;
(F) the amount of time required by candidates
employed as beginning teachers to progress from a probationary
teaching certificate to a standard teaching certificate;
(G) [(6)] the number of candidates retained in
the profession; and
(H) [(7)] any other information required by
federal law;
(2) the ratio of candidates employed as beginning
teachers to field supervisors; and
(3) any other information necessary to enable the
board to assess the effectiveness of the program on the basis of
teacher retention and success criteria adopted by the board.
SECTION 3. Section 21.048, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a-1) and (c-1) and adding Subsection (a-2) to
read as follows:
(a-1) The board may not require that more than 45 days
elapse before a person may retake an examination. A person may not
retake an examination more than four times, unless the board waives
the limitation for good cause as prescribed by the board.
(a-2) For purposes of the limitation imposed by Subsection
(a-1) on the number of administrations of an examination, a person
who initially took an examination before September 1, 2015, may
retake the examination up to four times after that date, regardless
of the number of times that the person attempted to perform
satisfactorily on the examination before that date. This
subsection expires September 1, 2018.
(c-1) The results of an examination administered under this
section are confidential and are not subject to disclosure under
Chapter 552, Government Code, unless[:
[(1)] the disclosure is regarding notification to a
parent of the assignment of an uncertified teacher to a classroom as
required by Section 21.057[; or
[(2) the educator has failed the examination more than
five times].
SECTION 4. Effective September 1, 2016, Section 21.051,
Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding
Subsections (b-1) and (c-1) to read as follows:
(b) Before a school district may employ a candidate for
certification as a teacher of record, the candidate must complete
at least 30 [15] hours of field-based experience in which the
candidate is actively engaged in instructional or educational
activities in the classroom under supervision at:
(1) a public school campus accredited or approved for
the purpose by the agency; or
(2) a private school recognized or approved for the
purpose by the agency.
(b-1) The hours of field-based experience required by
Subsection (b) may not be provided through use of electronic
transmission or other video- or technology-based method.
(c-1) Subsections (b) and (b-1), as amended and added by
__.B. ____, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015,
apply only to an initial certification issued on or after September
1, 2016. Those provisions do not affect:
(1) the validity of a certification issued before
September 1, 2016; or
(2) the eligibility of a person who holds a
certification issued before September 1, 2016, to obtain a
subsequent renewal of the certification in accordance with board
rule.
SECTION 5. Not later than January 1, 2016, the State Board
for Educator Certification shall develop criteria for evaluation of
educator preparation programs based on teacher retention and
success as required by Section 21.045(b)(3), Education Code, as
added by this Act. The State Board for Educator Certification shall
consult with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in
developing the criteria, and the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board shall participate and provide recommendations
regarding the criteria.
SECTION 6. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.