By Garcia                                             H.B. No. 1525
         77R3600 KKA-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to teacher certification of certain persons holding
 1-3     advanced degrees issued by institutions in foreign countries.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 21.052, Education Code, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 21.052.  CERTIFICATION OF EDUCATORS AND OTHER PERSONS
 1-8     FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE.
 1-9           SECTION 2.  Section 21.052, Education Code, is amended by
1-10     adding Subsections (c)-(e) to read as follows:
1-11           (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the board may issue a
1-12     certificate to a person who:
1-13                 (1)  holds an advanced degree that:
1-14                       (A)  is issued by an institution located in a
1-15     foreign country; and
1-16                       (B)  is in the subject of mathematics, computer
1-17     science, or another subject in which there is a demonstrated
1-18     shortage of educators in this state, as determined by the
1-19     commissioner; and
1-20                 (2)  performs satisfactorily on the examination
1-21     prescribed under Section 21.048.
1-22           (d)  The advanced degree described by Subsection (c)(1) must
1-23     be equivalent to an advanced degree issued in the United States by
1-24     an institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency or group
 2-1     that is recognized by a nationally recognized accreditation board.
 2-2           (e)  The board may not require a person described by
 2-3     Subsection (c) to possess teaching experience or to have completed
 2-4     higher education courses related to teaching in order to receive a
 2-5     certificate.  The board may require the person to receive training
 2-6     approved by the board that addresses fundamental state educational
 2-7     goals and preferences, including preferred techniques for
 2-8     disciplining students.
 2-9           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-10     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-11     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-12     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-13     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.