80R726 PAM-D

By: Howard of Fort Bend H.B. No. 879

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certification and continuing education requirements for certain public education administrators.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.0461 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.0461. TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE FOR SUPERINTENDENT OR PRINCIPAL. (a) The board may issue a temporary certificate under this section for:

(1) assistant principal;

(2) principal; or

(3) superintendent.

(b) A candidate for certification under this section must:

(1) hold a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an institution of higher education;

(2) have significant management and leadership experience, as determined by the board of trustees of the school district that will employ the person under the temporary certificate; and

(3) perform satisfactorily on the appropriate examination prescribed under Section 21.048.

(c) A school district may require that a person who is employed by the district and who holds a certificate issued under this section complete a training program.

(d) A certificate issued to a person under this section is valid only in the school district in which the person is initially employed after receiving the certificate.

(e) A certificate issued under this section:

(1) expires on the third anniversary of the date on which the certificate was issued; and

(2) is not renewable.

(f) The board shall issue a standard certificate to a person who holds a temporary certificate issued under this section if the school district employing the person under the temporary certificate:

(1) has employed the person for at least three years in the capacity for which the person seeks a standard certificate; and

(2) has recommended the person to the board and favorably reviewed, primarily using objective measures of student performance and improvement in the district, the person's performance.

(g) A school district employing a person who holds a temporary certificate issued under this section must provide the person with intensive support during the person's first year of employment with the district, including:

(1) mentoring; and

(2) intensive, high-quality professional development.

(h) For purposes of this section, the board by rule may determine the criteria a school district board of trustees shall use to determine whether a candidate for certification under this section has significant management and leadership experience.

SECTION 2. Section 21.054, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(b) Continuing education for principals must be based on an individual assessment of the knowledge, skills, and proficiencies necessary to perform successfully as a principal, as identified in Section 21.046. As part of a principal's compliance with continuing education requirements under this section, a principal must attend advanced management training courses or programs as prescribed by board rule. An individualized professional growth plan shall be developed as a result of the assessment and shall be used exclusively for professional growth purposes. The assessment results and the growth plan may only be released with the approval of the principal assessed. Except as provided by Section 21.059, each certified principal shall participate in the assessment process and professional growth activities at least once every five years.

(c) The board, in consultation with business schools, departments, or programs at institutions of higher education, shall propose rules to govern the approval and accountability of advanced management training courses or programs required under this section. In proposing a rule under this section, the board shall require that a person conducting a course or program have recognized expertise in business management.

SECTION 3. (a) Section 21.0461, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2007-2008 school year.

(b) Section 21.054, Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies beginning with the 2008-2009 school year.

SECTION 4. 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, 2007.