By: Madla S.B. No. 998 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the alternative certification requirements for certain 1-3 public school teachers. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 21.049, Education Code, is amended to 1-6 read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 21.049. ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION. (a) To provide a 1-8 continuing additional source of qualified educators, the board 1-9 shall propose rules providing for educator certification programs 1-10 as an alternative to traditional educator preparation programs. 1-11 The rules may not provide that a person may be certified under this 1-12 section only if there is a demonstrated shortage of educators in a 1-13 school district or subject area. 1-14 (b) The board may not require a person employed as a teacher 1-15 in an alternative education program under Section 37.008 or a 1-16 juvenile justice alternative education program under Section 37.011 1-17 for at least three years to complete an alternative educator 1-18 certification program adopted under this section before taking the 1-19 appropriate certification examination. 1-20 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2001. 1-21 (b) For purposes of Subsection (b), Section 21.049, 1-22 Education Code, as added by this Act, a person's employment as a 1-23 teacher in an alternative education program or juvenile justice 1-24 alternative education program before the 2001-2002 school year is 1-25 not included in determining whether the person meets the 2-1 requirements of that section.