BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 226
87R1208 KJE-D	By: Paxton
	Education
	3/23/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

This bill has been developed by our office to improve the online education experience and results for both teachers and students who have been forced to rely on remote learning as a result of the recent pandemic.

Specifically, this bill adds training in "virtual learning" and "virtual instruction" to the existing requirements for teaching certificates for our teachers. This is reinforced by language describing that that training must cover the "best practices" in grading students receiving virtual instruction based on academic progress and developing a virtual learning curriculum that includes both synchronous and asynchronous virtual instruction. These proposed "virtual" education requirements differ from the existing "digital" requirements in that the digital requirements center more around basic computer skills.

As proposed, S.B. 226 amends current law relating to instruction in educator training programs regarding digital learning, virtual learning, and virtual instruction.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 21.001, Education Code, by adding Subdivisions (4) and (5) to define "virtual instruction" and "virtual learning."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 21.044(c-2), Education Code, as follows:

(c-2) Requires that the training required to obtain a teaching certificate include, among other instruction, instruction in virtual learning and virtual instruction, and that the required� instruction, among other elements, cover best practices in grading students receiving virtual instruction, based on academic progress, and developing a virtual learning curriculum that includes synchronous and asynchronous virtual learning instruction. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.