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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to staff member requirements for high quality |
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prekindergarten programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 29.167, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 29.167. HIGH QUALITY CURRICULUM AND STAFF [TEACHER] |
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REQUIREMENTS. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 29.167(b) and (d), Education Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Each prekindergarten program staff member [teacher for |
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a prekindergarten program class] must meet the following |
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requirements, as applicable: |
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(1) for a prekindergarten program supervisor, be |
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certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21; and |
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(2) for a prekindergarten teacher, have one of the |
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following [additional] qualifications: |
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(A) a Child Development Associate (CDA) |
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credential or another early childhood education credential |
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approved by the agency; |
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(B) certification offered through a training |
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center accredited by Association Montessori Internationale or |
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through the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher |
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Education; |
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(C) at least eight years' experience of teaching |
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in a nationally accredited child care program; |
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(D) be employed as a prekindergarten teacher in a |
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school district that has received approval from the commissioner |
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for the district's prekindergarten-specific instructional training |
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plan that the teacher uses in the teacher's prekindergarten |
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classroom; or |
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(E) an equivalent qualification. |
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(d) A school district or an entity with which the district |
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contracts to provide a prekindergarten program must attempt to |
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maintain an average ratio in any prekindergarten program class of |
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not less than one certified teacher or teacher's aide for each 11 |
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students. |
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SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 4. 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, 2023. |