BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4358
	By: Allison; Lujan (Bettencourt)
	Education
	5/17/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

High-quality learning experiences should be rigorous, engaging, effective, and equitable whether in-person or virtual. However, as the Texas Virtual School Commission report concluded, merely copying in-person tactics does not produce satisfactory results. Educators need support to build these skills and a method to display their qualification for student success in virtual learning.

That is why investment should be made in the long-term value of building a teaching workforce with a significant number that are highly skilled in virtual learning through a digital teaching micro-credential�a short, competency-based recognition that allows educators to demonstrate mastery in delivering virtual education with excellence geared toward student success.

H.B. 4358 creates an optional Digital Teaching Micro-Credential for educators within the existing continuing education statutory framework so educators can be recognized for their professional expertise in virtual education and student success.

H.B. 4358 amends current law relating to including digital teaching in the micro-credential certification program for public school educator continuing education.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the State Board for Educator Certification is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 21.054, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 21.054, Education Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (i) and adding Subsection (i-1), as follows:

(a) Requires the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to propose rules establishing a process for identifying continuing education courses and programs that fulfill educators' continuing education requirements, including opportunities for educators to receive micro-credentials, as provided by Subsection (i), in:

(1) fields of study related to the educator's certification class; or

(2) digital teaching.

Makes a nonsubstantive change.

(i) Requires SBEC to propose rules establishing a program to issue micro-credentials in fields of study related to an educator's certification class or in digital teaching. Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to approve continuing education providers to offer micro-credential courses. Requires that a micro-credential received by an educator be recorded on TEA's Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) and included as part of the educator's public certification records.

(i-1) Requires SBEC, in proposing rules under Subsection (i) for micro-credentials related to digital teaching, to engage relevant stakeholders.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2023�2024 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.