HBA-JLV C.S.H.B. 1130 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 1130
By: Rangel
Higher Education
2/25/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In response to a growing shortage of certified teachers, the 75th
Legislature created the Educational Aide Exemption Program to fund tuition
exemptions for educational aides who attend college to become certified
teachers.  Income and other eligibility criteria restrict the number of
teacher aides who can qualify for an exemption under this program.
C.S.H.B. 1130 removes certain provisions of the Educational Aide Exemption
Program to expand the number of teacher aides who are eligible to receive
an exemption, and adds certain additional provisions to the program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1130 amends the Education Code to provide that, in order for an
institution of higher education (institution) to exempt a person from the
payment of tuition and fees, the person must be a school employee serving
in any capacity who has worked as an educational aide for at least one
school year during the five years preceding the term or semester for which
the person receives the exemption.  The bill removes eligibility
requirements relating to the certification, experience, employment, and
financial need of the person. 

The bill requires the board of trustees of a school district (board) to
establish a local plan to encourage the hiring of educational aides from
the local community who show a willingness to attend an institution to
become certified teachers.  The bill also requires the board to review and
readopt the plan every two years and to consider providing financial
incentives to an educational aide who enrolls in courses required for
teacher certification.   

The bill requires the governing board of an institution of higher education
(governing board) that offers courses required for teacher certification to
establish a plan to make those courses more accessible to educational aides
who seek teacher certification.  The bill requires the governing board to
consult with local school districts in developing the plan, and to also
review and readopt the plan every two years.  

The bill provides that any person who receives a bachelor's degree required
for a teaching certificate while receiving an exemption may not be required
to participate in any student teaching to receive a teaching certificate. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.  The Act applies beginning with the fall semester 2001.
The board of trustees and governing board of an institution of higher
education are required to establish plans by January 1, 2002. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
 
The comparison makes a nonsubstantive change to correct a drafting error.