BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1963

By: Creighton

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that flexibility regarding the method used to conduct a formal observation of a candidate seeking educator certification in a certification class other than classroom teacher may provide increased use of online educator preparation programs, thereby reducing costs while maintaining achievement goals on certification tests. S.B. 1963 seeks to provide such flexibility. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1963 amends the Education Code to prohibit State Board for Educator Certification rules addressing ongoing educator preparation program support for a candidate seeking certification in a certification class other than classroom teacher from requiring that an educator preparation program conduct one or more formal observations of the candidate on the candidate's site in a face-to-face setting. The bill requires the rules to permit each required formal observation to occur on the candidate's site or through use of electronic transmission or other video-based or technology-based method.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.