BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 1432

                                                                                                                                      By: Giddings

                                                                                                                                 Public Education

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

A student's academic career is affected by the qualifications and experience of his or her teacher.  A continual assignment to an inexperienced teacher or a teacher teaching outside of his or her certification puts the student at a disadvantage. 

 

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

 

This bill adds a new section to the Education Code relating to limits on assignment of students to teachers.  The provisions of this new section only apply to a school district with an enrollment of 5,000 or more students.

 

The bill provides that a student in kindergarten through sixth grade may not be assigned for two consecutive school years to a teacher who has less than one year of teaching experience or does not hold the appropriate certificate required under Section 21.003, Education Code.

 

The bill further provides that in a subject for which a student is assessed under Section 39.023(a) or (c) of the Education Code, a student in grade seven through 12 may not be assigned for two consecutive years to a teacher who has less than one year of teaching experience; or does not hold the appropriate certificate required under Section 21.003.

 

The bill further provides that the prohibitions described above do not apply if the student's parent or other person standing in parental relation to the student and a school counselor or school administrator agree that assignment of the student to the teacher should be allowed.

 

The bill further provides that, except as provided by Subsection (f) of Section 7.056, Education Code, a school campus or district may not receive an exemption or waiver from the prohibition on assignment of a student to an inexperienced or uncertified teacher under the new Section 28.0216 of the Education Code as added by this bill.

 

The bill provides that the Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 school year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.