By Madla                                               S.B. No. 998
         77R4078 BDH-D                           
                                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 Section 21.049(b), Education Code, as
1-22     added by this Act, a person's employment as a teacher in an
1-23     alternative education program or juvenile justice alternative
1-24     education program before the 2001-2002 school year is not included
 2-1     in determining whether the person meets the requirements of that
 2-2     section.