BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4358

By: Allison

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

High-quality learning experiences should be rigorous, engaging, effective, and equitable whether in person or virtual. However, as the final report of the Texas Virtual School Commission concluded, merely copying in-person tactics does not produce satisfactory results. Educators need support to build their skills in virtual learning and a method to display their qualification for student success in that field—that's why investment should be made in the long-term value of building a teaching workforce that is highly skilled in delivering virtual education geared toward student success. H.B. 4358 seeks to address this issue by creating an optional digital teaching micro-credential for public educators within the existing continuing education framework.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 4358 amends the Education Code to include a micro-credential in digital teaching among the micro-credentials a public school educator may receive to fulfill the educator's continuing education requirements. The bill requires the State Board for Educator Certification to propose rules establishing a program to issue micro-credentials in digital teaching and to engage relevant stakeholders in proposing the rules. The bill applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.