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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certification of educators from outside the state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 21.052, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (c), (c-1), (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows: |
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(c) Subject to Subsection (c-1), the board shall issue a |
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temporary certificate for an initial term of one year to a person |
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participating in an accredited alternative certification program |
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in another state, provided that the person holds or would be |
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entitled to obtain a temporary credential issued by the other state |
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authorizing the person to teach in that state. The board shall |
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permit a person issued a temporary certificate under this |
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subsection to take the appropriate examination or examinations |
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under Section 21.048 for standard certification during the initial |
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term of the temporary certificate. |
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(c-1) A person described by Subsection (c) is subject to any |
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fingerprinting requirement generally imposed by the board on a |
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person seeking a certificate and is not entitled to a temporary |
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certificate under that subsection if the person does not satisfy |
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any criteria relating to criminal history established by the board. |
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(d) The board shall renew a temporary certificate issued |
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under Subsection (c) for a second one-year term if the person to |
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whom the certificate is issued satisfactorily completes one year of |
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teaching in a setting that includes participation by the person in |
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an educator mentoring program and performs successfully on the |
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appropriate examination or examinations under Section 21.048 for |
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standard certification. After the expiration of the second |
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one-year term, the person is not entitled to further renewal of the |
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temporary certificate and must obtain a standard certificate from |
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the board based on the person's receipt of a standard certificate |
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from the state in which the person participated in the accredited |
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alternative certification program. |
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(e) The board may issue a temporary certificate under this |
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section to an educator who holds a degree required by Subsection |
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(a)(1) and a certificate or other credential required by Subsection |
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(a)(2) but who has not satisfied the requirements prescribed by |
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Subsection (a)(3). Subject to Subsection (f), the board may |
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specify the term of a temporary certificate issued under this |
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subsection. |
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(f) A temporary certificate issued under Subsection (e) to |
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an educator employed by a school district that has constructed or |
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expanded at least one instructional facility as a result of |
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increased student enrollment due to actions taken under the Defense |
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Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. Section 2687) |
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may not expire before the first anniversary of the date on which the |
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board completes the review of the educator's credentials and |
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informs the educator of the examination or examinations under |
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Section 21.048 on which the educator must perform successfully to |
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receive a standard certificate. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |