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.