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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certification as teachers of persons with advanced |
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degrees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.0491 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.0491. CERTIFICATION OF PERSONS WITH ADVANCED |
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DEGREES. (a) As provided by this section, the board shall issue a |
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certificate to a person who holds at least a master's degree in a |
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subject that authorizes the person to teach that subject to |
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students in grade levels 7 through 12. |
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(b) For purposes of Subsection (a), a person's degree must |
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be issued by an institution accredited by a regional accrediting |
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agency or group that is recognized by a nationally recognized |
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accreditation board or be an equivalent degree issued by an |
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institution located in a foreign country. |
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(c) A person entitled to a certificate under this section is |
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not required to complete a traditional or alternative educator |
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preparation program or perform satisfactorily on otherwise |
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applicable certification examinations prescribed under Section |
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21.048 before issuance of the certificate, but must submit an |
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application to the board that contains information necessary to |
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complete a national criminal history record information review and |
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any other information required by the board. |
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(d) A person who has submitted all information required by |
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the board and who receives a certificate as provided by this section |
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must perform satisfactorily on the applicable examinations |
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prescribed under Section 21.048 not later than the first |
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anniversary of the date the board completes the review of the |
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person's credentials and informs the person of the applicable |
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examinations. |
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(e) The board shall revoke the certificate of a person who |
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fails to comply with Subsection (d). |
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(f) The board is not required to issue a certificate under |
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this section to a person who does not satisfy the board's |
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requirements relating to criminal history. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |