By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 54

(In the Senate - Filed November 8, 2010; January 31, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Education; March 30, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; March 30, 2011, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certification to teach public school students who have visual impairments.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.0485 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.0485. CERTIFICATION TO TEACH STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS. (a) To be eligible to be issued a certificate to teach students with visual impairments, a person must:

(1) complete either:

(A) all course work required for that certification in an approved educator preparation program; or

(B) an alternative educator certification program approved for the purpose by the board;

(2) perform satisfactorily on each examination prescribed under Section 21.048 for certification to teach students with visual impairments, after completing the course work or program described by Subdivision (1); and

(3) satisfy any other requirements prescribed by the board.

(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to eligibility for a certificate to teach students with visual impairments, including eligibility for renewal of that certificate, if the application for the initial certificate was submitted on or before September 1, 2011.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

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