78R971 BDH-D


By:  Grusendorf                                                   H.B. No. 318


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certification to teach school of individuals who hold bachelor's degrees. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.0491 to read as follows: Sec. 21.0491. ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION OF PERSON HOLDING BACHELOR'S DEGREE. (a) In addition to issuing teaching certificates to persons to whom Section 21.050 applies, the board may issue a teaching certificate to a person who: (1) holds a bachelor's degree received with an academic major or interdisciplinary academic major, including reading, other than education, that is related to at least one area of the curriculum as prescribed under Subchapter A, Chapter 28; and (2) performs satisfactorily on the appropriate examination prescribed under Section 21.048. (b) A person who holds a bachelor's degree with an academic major related to only one area of the curriculum prescribed under Subchapter A, Chapter 28, may receive a certificate to teach only in that subject area. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.