BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 226

By: Paxton

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the education children have received over the past year has been through virtual learning. There have been calls for educators to receive specific instruction on virtual learning and virtual instruction so that they are better equipped to teach in this format should another event occur that forces students to learn remotely or if school districts adopt policies that provide for more remote instruction generally. S.B. 226 seeks to address these calls and require the minimum academic requirements for educator certification to include instruction on certain best practices with respect to virtual learning and virtual instruction.

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. 226 amends the Education Code to require that the minimum academic qualifications for educator certification include instruction in virtual learning and virtual instruction that covers best practices in assessing students receiving virtual instruction, based on academic progress, and in developing a virtual learning curriculum.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.