BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

H.B. 3624

By: Hochberg

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

HB 3624 aims to link teacher aide eligibility for tuition exemptions with the state goal of training and certifying teachers in critical shortage subject areas. While it is important to train and certify teachers in all subject areas, interested parties contend Texas has a particular need for teachers in certain subjects including: math, science, special education and bilingual/ESL.

 

HB 3624 requires educational aides eligible for tuition exemptions to enroll in courses for teacher certification that are in critical shortage subject areas. Additionally, the bill mandates that school boards encourage the hiring of educational aides who show a particular interest in earning certification in a critical shortage area. Finally, the bill requires institutions of higher education to establish plans to make courses needed for certification in critical shortage subject areas more accessible to individuals seeking certification.

 

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

 

H.B. 3624 amends Section 54.214 (c) of the Education Code by requiring educational aides eligible for tuition exemption under 54.214 to be enrolled at the institution of higher education granting the exemption in courses required for teacher certification in one or more courses required for teacher certification in certain critical shortage subject areas.

 

H.B. 3624 amends Section 54.214 (f) of the Education Code by adding language that requires school boards to establish plans to encourage the hiring of educational aides who show a willingness to become certified in one or more certain critical shortage subject areas.

 

H.B. 3624 amends Section 54.214 (g) of the Education Code by requiring governing boards of institutions of higher education offering courses required for teacher certification in certain critical shortage subject areas to establish plans to increase accessibility of courses for individuals seeking certification.

 

H.B. 3624 makes its provisions applicable beginning with tuition and fees charged for the 2011 fall semester. 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2011.