88R2880 BDP-F
 
  By: Harris of Anderson H.B. No. 2729
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to staff member requirements for high quality
  prekindergarten programs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 29.167, Education Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 29.167.  HIGH QUALITY CURRICULUM AND STAFF [TEACHER]
  REQUIREMENTS.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 29.167(b) and (d), Education Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Each prekindergarten program staff member [teacher for
  a prekindergarten program class] must meet the following
  requirements, as applicable:
               (1)  for a prekindergarten program supervisor, be
  certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21; and
               (2)  for a prekindergarten teacher, have one of the
  following [additional] qualifications:
                     (A)  a Child Development Associate (CDA)
  credential or another early childhood education credential
  approved by the agency;
                     (B)  certification offered through a training
  center accredited by Association Montessori Internationale or
  through the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher
  Education;
                     (C)  at least eight years' experience of teaching
  in a nationally accredited child care program;
                     (D)  be employed as a prekindergarten teacher in a
  school district that has received approval from the commissioner
  for the district's prekindergarten-specific instructional training
  plan that the teacher uses in the teacher's prekindergarten
  classroom; or
                     (E)  an equivalent qualification.
         (d)  A school district or an entity with which the district
  contracts to provide a prekindergarten program must attempt to
  maintain an average ratio in any prekindergarten program class of
  not less than one certified teacher or teacher's aide for each 11
  students.
         SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
  school year.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.