AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
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 that teacher preparation programs remain accountable to those candidates for certification seeking to enter the teaching profession.
C.S.H.B. 2318 requires 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.
C.S.H.B. 2318 amends current law relating to public school educator preparation and alternative certification programs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the State Board for Educator Certification in SECTION 1 (Section 21.0453, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, by adding Section 21.0453, as follows:
Sec. 21.0453. INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION. (a) Requires the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to require an educator preparation program to provide candidates for teacher certification with information concerning the following:
(1) skills and responsibilities required of teachers;
(2) expectations for student performance based on state standards;
(3) the current supply of and demand for teachers in this state;
(4) the importance of developing classroom management skills; and
(5) the state's framework for appraisal of teachers and principals.
(b) Authorizes SBEC to propose rules as necessary for administration of this section, including rules to ensure that accurate and consistent information is provided by all educator preparation programs.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 21.048(a), Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 21.048. CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS. (a) Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to determine the satisfactory level of performance required for each certification examination. Requires the commissioner, for the issuance of a generalist certificate, to require a satisfactory level of examination performance in each core subject covered by the examination.
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, by adding Section 21.061, as follows:
Sec. 21.061. REVIEW AND UPDATING OF EDUCATOR PREPARATION. 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 programs.
SECTION 4. Requires SBEC to 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 5. Requires the commissioner, not later than January 1, 2014, to determine performance levels for certification examinations as provided by Section 21.048(a), Education Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 6. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.