1-1 By: Madla S.B. No. 998 1-2 (In the Senate - Filed February 28, 2001; March 1, 2001, read 1-3 first time and referred to Committee on Education; April 19, 2001, 1-4 reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; 1-5 April 19, 2001, sent to printer.) 1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-7 AN ACT 1-8 relating to the alternative certification requirements for certain 1-9 public school teachers. 1-10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-11 SECTION 1. Section 21.049, Education Code, is amended to 1-12 read as follows: 1-13 Sec. 21.049. ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION. (a) To provide a 1-14 continuing additional source of qualified educators, the board 1-15 shall propose rules providing for educator certification programs 1-16 as an alternative to traditional educator preparation programs. 1-17 The rules may not provide that a person may be certified under this 1-18 section only if there is a demonstrated shortage of educators in a 1-19 school district or subject area. 1-20 (b) The board may not require a person employed as a teacher 1-21 in an alternative education program under Section 37.008 or a 1-22 juvenile justice alternative education program under Section 37.011 1-23 for at least three years to complete an alternative educator 1-24 certification program adopted under this section before taking the 1-25 appropriate certification examination. 1-26 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2001. 1-27 (b) For purposes of Subsection (b), Section 21.049, 1-28 Education Code, as added by this Act, a person's employment as a 1-29 teacher in an alternative education program or juvenile justice 1-30 alternative education program before the 2001-2002 school year is 1-31 not included in determining whether the person meets the 1-32 requirements of that section. 1-33 * * * * *