BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 2318

By: Aycock

Public Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Current law requires the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to regulate and oversee all aspects of the certification, continuing education, and standards of conduct of public school educators. The law requires SBEC to propose rules for approval by the State Board of Education establishing standards to govern the approval and continuing accountability of all educator preparation programs based on certain factors and to propose rules establishing performance standards for the accountability system for educator preparation for accrediting educator preparation programs, with certain minimum performance standards being based on those factors. The law also authorizes SBEC to propose rules establishing minimum standards for approval or renewal of approval of educator preparation programs or certification fields offered by such programs. Interested parties suggest there is a need for a review of such standards to ensure teacher preparation programs remain accountable to those candidates for certification seeking to enter the teaching profession.

 

C.S.H.B. 2318 seeks to require SBEC to review and update as necessary standards for teacher preparation programs, including alternative certification and to require teacher preparation programs to provide candidates for teacher certification with certain information.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the State Board for Educator Certification in SECTION 1 of this bill.

 

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.H.B. 2318 amends the Education Code to require the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to require an educator preparation program to provide candidates for teacher certification with information concerning skills and responsibilities required of teachers, expectations for student performance based on state standards, the current supply of and demand for teachers in Texas, the importance of developing classroom management skills, and the state's framework for appraisal of teachers and principals. The bill authorizes SBEC to propose rules as necessary for administration of this requirement, including rules to ensure that accurate and consistent information is provided by all educator preparation programs.

 

C.S.H.B. 2318 requires SBEC, after consulting with appropriate higher education faculty and public school teachers and administrators and soliciting advice from other interested persons with relevant knowledge and experience, to develop and carry out a process for reviewing and, as necessary, updating standards and requirements for educator preparation and alternative certification programs. The bill requires SBEC to complete an initial review of and implement any updated standards and requirements for educator preparation and alternative certification programs not later than September 1, 2014.

 

 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 2318 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended.

SECTION 1. Same as introduced version.

 

SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.061 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.061. PERIODIC REVIEW AND UPDATING OF EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS. The State Board for Educator Certification shall, after consulting with appropriate higher education faculty and public school teachers and administrators and soliciting advice from other interested persons with relevant knowledge and experience, develop and carry out a process for reviewing and, as necessary, updating standards and requirements for educator preparation and alternative certification programs. The process must require the review and any necessary updating to be carried out at least once every five years.

SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.061 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.061. REVIEW AND UPDATING OF EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS. The board shall, after consulting with appropriate higher education faculty and public school teachers and administrators and soliciting advice from other interested persons with relevant knowledge and experience, develop and carry out a process for reviewing and, as necessary, updating standards and requirements for educator preparation and alternative certification programs.

 

SECTION 3. The State Board for Educator Certification shall complete an initial review of and implement any updated standards and requirements for educator preparation and alternative certification programs as required by Section 21.061, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2014.

SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.

 

 

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, 2013.

SECTION 4. Same as introduced version.