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78R7675 CAS-D
By: Alonzo H.B. No. 2286
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a pilot program to encourage certification to teach
bilingual education, English as a second language, or Spanish.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter N to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER N. PILOT PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE CERTIFICATION
TO TEACH BILINGUAL EDUCATION, ENGLISH AS A SECOND
LANGUAGE, OR SPANISH
Sec. 21.651. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Board" means the State Board for Educator
Certification.
(2) "Program" means the Pilot Program to Encourage
Certification to Teach Bilingual Education, English as a Second
Language, or Spanish.
Sec. 21.652. PURPOSE. The purpose of the program is to
encourage students currently enrolled in junior colleges and senior
colleges and universities, educational aides, and others to become
certified to teach bilingual education, English as a second
language, or Spanish in order to enable them to teach those classes
or courses in public schools.
Sec. 21.653. ESTABLISHING PROGRAM. (a) The board by rule
shall establish the program at the University of North Texas at
Dallas consistent with the purpose provided by Section 21.652 for
students who enroll in, including students who transfer to, an
educator preparation program at the university to become certified
to teach bilingual education, English as a second language, or
Spanish.
(b) In proposing rules for the program, the board shall
ensure that the rules require providing notice concerning the
program to:
(1) students, regardless of major, at the University
of North Texas at Dallas, at other senior colleges and universities
in the north Texas region, and at public junior colleges in the
north Texas region;
(2) students at high schools in the north Texas
region; and
(3) educational aides at public schools in the north
Texas region.
Sec. 21.654. FINANCIAL INCENTIVES. (a) The program must
offer to participants financial incentives, including tuition
assistance and loan forgiveness. The program also may offer annual
stipends to postbaccalaureate candidates for teacher certification
in bilingual education, English as a second language, or Spanish.
In offering a financial incentive, the board shall:
(1) require a contract between each participant who
accepts a financial incentive and the board under which the
participant is obligated to:
(A) obtain certification to teach bilingual
education, English as a second language, or Spanish; and
(B) teach a class or course in bilingual
education, English as a second language, or Spanish in a public
school in this state for a stated period after certification; and
(2) provide financial incentives in proportion to the
length of the period the participant is obligated by contract to
teach after certification.
(b) Financial incentives may be paid only from funds
appropriated specifically for that purpose and from gifts, grants,
and donations solicited or accepted by the board for that purpose.
(c) The board shall propose rules establishing criteria for
awarding financial incentives under this section, including
criteria for awarding financial incentives if there are more
participants than funds available to provide the financial
incentives.
SECTION 2. The State Board for Educator Certification shall
propose rules as required under Subchapter N, Chapter 21, Education
Code, as added by this Act, not later than April 1, 2004.
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.