C.S.H.B. 2723 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 2723
By: Gutierrez
Public Education
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The State of Texas is facing a major educational challenge: a growing
shortage of qualified teachers. 
House Bill 2723 will permit a person who holds a master's degree with an
academic major of study to obtain a teaching certificate without taking a
certification examination. 


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 2723 amends the Education Code to authorize the State Board for
Educator Certification (board) to issue a teaching certificate to a person
who holds a master's degree, or higher education degree, received with an
academic major area of study or interdisciplinary academic major area of
study that is related to one area of middle or secondary school
curriculum. The bill prohibits the board from requiring such a person to
perform satisfactorily on a certification examination. The bill stipulates
that a person who holds a master's degree or higher education degree may
receive a certificate to teach only in that subject area.  

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

 
EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.