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Senate Bill 1839 |
Senate Author: Hughes et al. |
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Effective: 6-12-17 |
House Sponsor: Koop |
Senate Bill 1839 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Education Agency to provide educator preparation programs with specified data based on information reported through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) and establish requirements for an educator certificate candidate to receive instruction in digital learning, but only requires the commissioner of education to implement these provisions if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the commissioner may, but is not required to, implement the provisions using other appropriations available for the purpose. The bill requires the State Board for Educator Certification to develop an optional early childhood certificate for teachers with special training in early childhood education focusing on prekindergarten through grade three. The bill provides for an additional option for satisfying the field-based experience requirement for a candidate for certification as a teacher of record, exceptions to the examination requirements for an educator from outside of Texas to obtain an educator certificate in Texas, and the incorporation of instruction regarding digital learning and digital teaching in the continuing education requirements for a classroom teacher.