83R14105 VOO-D

By: Patrick H.B. No. 642

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 642:

By: Aycock C.S.H.B. No. 642

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to continuing education requirements for certain educators.

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

SECTION 1. Section 21.054, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows:

(d) Continuing education requirements for a classroom teacher must provide that not more than 25 percent of the training required every five years include instruction regarding:

(1) collecting and analyzing information that will improve effectiveness in the classroom;

(2) recognizing early warning indicators that a student may be at risk of dropping out of school;

(3) integrating technology into classroom instruction;

(4) educating diverse student populations, including:

(A) students with disabilities, including mental health disorders;

(B) students who are educationally disadvantaged;

(C) students of limited English proficiency; and

(D) students at risk of dropping out of school; and

(5) increasing knowledge of the subject area taught by the educator.

(e) Continuing education requirements for a principal must provide that not more than 25 percent of the training required every five years include instruction regarding:

(1) effective and efficient management, including:

(A) collecting and analyzing information;

(B) making decisions and managing time; and

(C) supervising student discipline and managing behavior;

(2) recognizing early warning indicators that a student may be at risk of dropping out of school;

(3) integrating technology into campus curriculum and instruction;

(4) educating diverse student populations, including:

(A) students with disabilities, including mental health disorders;

(B) students who are educationally disadvantaged;

(C) students of limited English proficiency; and

(D) students at risk of dropping out of school; and

(5) providing instructional leadership, including:

(A) providing teacher support;

(B) maintaining community involvement;

(C) building professional learning communities; and

(D) recruiting, coaching, remediating, and retaining campus educators.

(f) Continuing education requirements for a counselor must provide that not more than 25 percent of training required every five years include instruction regarding:

(1) assisting students in developing high school graduation plans;

(2) implementing dropout prevention strategies; and

(3) informing students concerning:

(A) college admissions, including college financial aid resources and application procedures; and

(B) career opportunities.

(g) Continuing education requirements for an educator each year must be linked to any areas identified in the educator's appraisal as needing improvement.

SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2014, the State Board for Educator Certification shall propose rules implementing Section 21.054, Education Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 3. An educator subject to continuing education requirements immediately before the effective date of this Act is not required to comply with the continuing education requirements described by Section 21.054(d), (e), or (f), Education Code, as added by this Act, for any continuing education requirements period that ends before January 1, 2017.

SECTION 4. An educator subject to continuing education requirements immediately before the effective date of this Act is not required to comply with the continuing education requirements described by Section 21.054(g), Education Code, as added by this Act, for any continuing education requirements period that ends before January 1, 2016.

SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.