HBA-AMW, CCH H.B. 1721 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1721
By: Martinez Fischer
Public Education
7/26/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

As a result of a statewide teacher shortage, Texas has resorted to
alternative educator certification programs and emergency teaching permits
for individuals who are not certified.  These are programs that may
compromise the quality of education.  Prior to the 77th Legislature,
educators outside of Texas had to take a certification examination to be
certified to teach in Texas, even if they were certified to teach in
another state or country and had passed rigorous requirements and
examinations.  This policy impeded teacher mobility and contributed to the
teacher shortage in Texas.  House Bill 1721 authorizes the State Board for
Educator Certification to issue a teacher's certificate to teachers who
have been certified outside of Texas, without requiring the teacher to pass
the certification examination. 

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

House Bill 1721 amends the Education Code to authorize the State Board for
Educator Certification to issue a teacher's certificate to an educator who
performs satisfactorily on an examination similar to and at least as
rigorous as this state's certification examination if the educator holds a
certificate or other credential issued by another state or country. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 16, 2001.