By Rangel, Brown of Brazos, Olivo, Thompson, H.B. No. 1130
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the exemption of certain educational aides from the
1-3 payment of tuition and fees at institutions of higher education and
1-4 to the employment of those aides.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Section 54.214, Education Code, is amended by
1-7 amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read
1-8 as follows:
1-9 (c) To be eligible for an exemption under this section, a
1-10 person must:
1-11 (1) be a resident of this state;
1-12 (2) be a school employee serving in any capacity who
1-13 worked as an educational aide for at least one school year during
1-14 the five years preceding the term or semester for which the person
1-15 receives the exemption [be certified as an educational aide by the
1-16 State Board for Educator Certification];
1-17 (3) [have at least two school years of experience as a
1-18 certified educational aide working directly with students in a
1-19 school district;]
1-20 [(4) be employed as a certified educational aide
1-21 working directly with students in a school district during the
1-22 entire term or semester for which the person receives the
1-23 exemption;]
1-24 [(5)] establish financial need as determined by
1-25 coordinating board rule;
2-1 (4) [(6)] be enrolled in courses required [classes
2-2 necessary] for teacher certification [as a teacher] at the
2-3 institution of higher education granting the exemption;
2-4 (5) [(7)] maintain an acceptable grade point average
2-5 as determined by coordinating board rule; and
2-6 (6) [(8)] comply with any other requirements adopted
2-7 by the coordinating board under this section.
2-8 (f) The board of trustees of a school district shall
2-9 establish a plan to encourage the hiring of educational aides who
2-10 show a willingness to become certified teachers.
2-11 (g) The governing board of an institution of higher
2-12 education that offers courses required for teacher certification
2-13 shall establish a plan to make those courses more accessible to
2-14 those who seek teacher certification. The board shall consider as
2-15 part of its plan to make those courses more accessible for teacher
2-16 certification, evening classes, Internet classes, or other means
2-17 approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
2-18 SECTION 2. Section 21.050(c), Education Code, is amended to
2-19 read as follows:
2-20 (c) A person who receives a bachelor's degree required for a
2-21 teaching certificate on the basis of higher education coursework
2-22 completed while receiving an exemption from tuition and fees under
2-23 Section 54.214 [and who has at least two school years of classroom
2-24 working experience as an educational aide] may not be required to
2-25 participate in [perform] any field experience or internship
2-26 consisting of student teaching to receive a teaching certificate.
2-27 SECTION 3. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
3-1 (b) The changes in law made by this Act to Sections
3-2 54.214(c) and 21.050(c), Education Code, take effect beginning with
3-3 the 2001 fall semester.
3-4 (c) Not later than January 1, 2002, the board of trustees of
3-5 a school district shall establish a local plan as required by
3-6 Section 54.214(f), Education Code, as added by this Act.
3-7 (d) Not later than January 1, 2002, the governing board of
3-8 an institution of higher education that offers courses required for
3-9 teacher certification shall establish a plan as required by Section
3-10 54.214(g), Education Code, as added by this Act.