H.B. 318 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 318
By: Grusendorf
Public Education
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND

For several years, Texas school districts have faced a growing teacher
shortage.  Current traditional and alternative certification programs are
not meeting the demand for certified teachers. Alternative certification
processes require applicants to take courses in teaching methods and
certain subject areas before taking the appropriate certification exams. 

 
PURPOSE 

House Bill 318 would allow a person who holds a bachelor's degree in one
or more academic majors and passes the appropriate certification
examination to be issued a teaching certificate. The purpose of this bill
is to provide alternative teacher certification options to reduce the
teacher shortage. 
  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 


ANALYSIS

House Bill 318 amends the Education Code to authorize the State Board for
Educator Certification to issue alternative certification to a person who
passes a comprehensive examination administered by the certification board
and who holds a bachelor's degree with an academic major or
interdisciplinary academic major that is related to at least one area of
the essential knowledge and skills curriculum. The bill provides that a
person whose academic major is related to only one of these subject areas
is authorized to receive a certificate to teach only in that subject area.

This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year.
 

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.