By:  Gutierrez                                                    H.B. No. 2723



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certification to teach school of individuals who hold 
master'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 
MASTER'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 holds a master's degree, or 
higher educational degree, received with an academic major area of 
study or interdisciplinary academic major area of study, including 
reading, other than education, that is related to at least one area 
of the middle or secondary school curriculum as prescribed under 
Subchapter A, Chapter 28.
	(b)  A person who holds a master's degree, or higher 
educational 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.
	(c)  The board may not require a person who qualifies for 
certification under this section to perform satisfactorily on an 
examination prescribed under Section 21.048.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 
school year.       
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.