By: Creighton S.B. No. 2253

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the preparation and certification of public school educators, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 01. Section 12A.004(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A local innovation plan may not provide for the exemption of a district designated as a district of innovation from the following provisions of this title:

(1) a state or federal requirement applicable to an open-enrollment charter school operating under Subchapter D, Chapter 12;

(2) Subchapters A, C, D, and E, Chapter 11, except that a district may be exempt from Sections 11.1511(b)(5) and (14) and Section 11.162;

(3) the employment of uncertified classroom teachers under Section 21.0032;

(4) parental notification requirements under Section 21.057;

(5) state curriculum and graduation requirements adopted under Chapter 28; and

(6) [(4)] academic and financial accountability and sanctions under Chapters 39 and 39A.

SECTION 2. Section 19.007(g), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(g) In addition to other amounts received by the district under this section, the district is entitled to:

(1) state aid in the amount necessary to fund the salary increases required by Section 19.009(d-2); and

(2) the preparing and retaining educators through partnership program allotment under Section 48.157.

SECTION 3. Section 21.001, Education Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (3-b) to read as follows:

(3-b) "Teacher of record" means a person employed by a school district who teaches the majority of the instructional day in an academic instructional setting and is responsible for evaluating student achievement and assigning grades.

SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.0032 and 21.0033 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.0032. EMPLOYMENT OF UNCERTIFIED CLASSROOM TEACHERS.

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) and (d), a school district may not employ as a classroom teacher for a course in the foundation curriculum under Section 28.002 a person who does not hold an appropriate certificate or permit issued by the State Board for Educator Certification under Subchapter B.

(b) If the commissioner approves a plan submitted by the school district, the commissioner may delay the application of Subsection (a) if the plan provides a reasonable timeline and strategy to come into compliance with Subsection (a) no later than the 2029-2030 school year.

(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), for the 2026-2027 school year, a school district may employ as a teacher of record for a course other than a reading language arts or mathematics course in a grade level at or below grade five a person who does not hold an appropriate certificate or permit issued by the State Board for Educator Certification under Subchapter B.

(d) The requirements of this section do not supersede waivers under Section 7.056 or authorizations under 21.055.

Sec. 21.0033. INCENTIVE TO CERTIFY TEACHERS. (a) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the agency shall provide to each school district a one-time payment of $1,000 for each classroom teacher employed by the district who:

(1) was hired for the 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 school year as a first-year teacher;

(2) was uncertified on January 1, 2025;

(3) earned a standard certificate under Subchapter B by the end of the 2025-2026 school year; and

(4) was continuously employed by the district since the school year described by Subdivision (1).

(b) This section expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 5. Section 21.041, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e) A rule proposed by the board under this section relating to educator preparation is not subject to Section 2001.0045, Government Code.

SECTION 6. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Sections 21.0412, 21.04421, 21.04422, and 21.04423 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.0412. TYPES OF TEACHING CERTIFICATES. (a) In proposing rules specifying the types of teaching certificates to be issued under this subchapter, the board shall provide for a candidate to be issued:

(1) a standard certificate if the candidate satisfies all traditional teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04421 or all alternative teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04423;

(2) an enhanced standard certificate if the candidate satisfies all requirements of the teacher residency standard preparation route established under Section 21.04422;

(3) an intern with preservice experience certificate, which expires one year after issuance unless modified by the board, if the candidate has yet to satisfy all requirements for certification for a preservice alternative teacher preparation route established under Section 21.04423(1) but has completed a sufficient number of preservice practice hours to serve as a teacher of record; and

(4) an intern certificate, which expires two years after issuance unless modified by the board, if the candidate has yet to satisfy all requirements for certification for an alternative teacher preparation route established under Section 21.04423(2) but has met all board requirements to serve as a teacher of record.

(b) Rules proposed under Subsection (a)(2) may not require a candidate to pass a pedagogy examination unless the examination tests subject-specific content appropriate for the grade level and subject area for which the candidate seeks certification.

(c) A candidate for a certification described by Subsection (a) must meet all other requirements imposed under this subchapter or board rule applicable to the candidate's certification.

(d) This section does not prohibit the board from proposing rules that provide for certifications other than the certifications described by Subsection (a), including specialized certifications and other types and classes of certifications.

Sec. 21.04421. TRADITIONAL TEACHER PREPARATION. (a) In proposing rules under this subchapter regarding training requirements for a candidate seeking certification through a traditional teacher preparation route in which a candidate may concurrently receive an undergraduate or master's degree and a certification to teach a subject area at a particular grade level, the board shall:

(1) require preservice practice be provided through a formal partnership between the educator preparation program and a school district or open-enrollment charter school; and

(2) require the candidate to complete substantial preservice practice in a prekindergarten through grade 12 classroom that includes practicing the skills learned from the instruction described by Sections 21.0443(b)(3) and (4).

(b) The rules proposed under Subsection (a) must require training to be provided synchronously. The board may approve components of the training to be delivered asynchronously on application by an educator preparation program.

Sec. 21.04422. TEACHER RESIDENCY PREPARATION. (a) The board shall propose rules under this subchapter to create a teacher residency standard preparation route.

(b) In proposing rules for a teacher residency preparation route under this section, the board must require that the program:

(1) use research-based best practices for recruiting and admitting candidates into the program;

(2) integrate course work, classroom practice, formal observation, and feedback;

(3) meet the traditional teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04421 (a)(1), (a)(2), and (b);

(4) require a candidate to receive preservice practice, including practice in the skills learned from the instruction described by Sections 21.0443(b)(3) and (4), in a prekindergarten through grade 12 classroom for at least one full school year; and

(5) use multiple assessments to measure a candidate's progress.

Sec. 21.04423. ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION. In proposing rules under this subchapter regarding training requirements for a candidate who has previously earned a degree and is seeking certification through an alternative teacher preparation route, the board shall establish:

(1) a preservice alternative teacher preparation route that meets:

(A) the traditional teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04421 (a)(1) and (a)(2) which includes time spent as a paraprofessional as pre-service practice hours; and

(B) the traditional teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04421(b); and

(2) an alternative teacher preparation route that allows for flexibility in how a candidate may demonstrate proficiency for certification.

SECTION 7. Section 21.0443, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 21.0443. EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM APPROVAL AND RENEWAL. (a) The board shall propose rules to establish standards to govern the approval or renewal of approval of:

(1) educator preparation programs; [and]

(2) the teacher preparation routes established under Sections 21.04421, 21.04422, and 21.04423; and

(3) certification fields authorized to be offered by an educator preparation program.

(a-1) The board may review an educator preparation program's curriculum:

(1) before the approval or renewal of approval of the program; and

(2) at any time after the approval or renewal of the approval of the program to ensure that any changes to curriculum requirements proposed by the board since the most recent review have been incorporated into the curriculum to maintain approval.

(b) To be eligible for approval or renewal of approval, an educator preparation program must:

(1) incorporate proactive instructional planning techniques throughout course work and across content areas using a framework that:

(A) provides flexibility in the ways:

(i) information is presented;

(ii) students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills; and

(iii) students are engaged;

(B) reduces barriers in instruction;

(C) provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges; and

(D) maintains high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students of limited English proficiency;

(2) integrate inclusive practices for all students, including students with disabilities, and evidence-based instruction and intervention strategies throughout course work, clinical experience, and student teaching;

(3) incorporate the instructional materials and training developed under Section 21.067;

(4) if applicable and approved by the agency for the grade and subject area for which the program provides instruction, incorporate the literacy achievement academies and mathematics achievement academies under Sections 21.4552 and 21.4553;

(5) ensure that instruction described by Subdivisions (3) and (4) is delivered by a person approved by the agency to provide the instruction;

(6) ensure that the program and the program's administrators, instructors, and other employees comply with Section 28.0022 as if:

(A) the program were a school district;

(B) the program's administrators, instructors, and other employees are administrators, teachers, or other employees of a school district, as applicable; and

(C) candidates in the program were students of a school district;

(7) adequately prepare candidates for educator certification; and

(8)[(4)] meet the standards and requirements of the board.

(b-1) The board by rule shall designate the components of a literacy achievement academy or mathematics achievement academy under Section 21.4552 or 21.4553, as applicable, that may be completed after receiving an intern with preservice experience certificate under Section 21.0412.

(c) The board shall require that each educator preparation program be reviewed for renewal of approval at least every five years. The board may require each educator preparation program to be reviewed for renewal of approval at least annually. The board shall adopt an evaluation process to be used in reviewing an educator preparation program for renewal of approval.

(d) In adopting the evaluation process under Subsection (c), the board shall consider including:

(1) quality indicators that reflect effective program practices; and

(2) measures that provide for the observation of program practices to ensure program quality.

SECTION 8. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.0456 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.0456. SANCTIONS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE. (a) The board may impose a sanction against an educator preparation program for noncompliance with a provision of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter, including a rule proposed under Section 21.0443, or to address a complaint received under Section 21.0455. A sanction under this subsection may be one or more of the actions described by Section 21.0451(a)(2), regardless of whether a program has been rated as accredited-probation under the Accountability System for Educator Preparation for a period of at least one year.

(b) Any action authorized to be taken against an educator preparation program under Subsection (a) may also be taken with regard to a particular route or field of certification authorized to be offered by an educator preparation program.

(c) A revocation must be effective for a period of at least two years. After two years, the program may seek renewed approval to prepare educators for state certification.

(d) The costs of technical assistance or the costs associated with the appointment of a monitor shall be paid by the educator preparation program.

SECTION 9. Section 21.049, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 21.049. ALTERNATIVE EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS [CERTIFICATION]. (a) To provide a continuing additional source of qualified educators, the board shall propose rules providing that [for] educator certification programs may be provided by an institution of higher education or another entity [as an alterative to traditional educator preparation programs]. The rules may not provide that a person may be certified under this section only if there is a demonstrated shortage of educators in a school district or subject area.

(b) The board may not require a person employed as a teacher in an alternative education program under Section 37.008 or a juvenile justice alternative education program under Section 37.011 for at least three years to complete an alternative educator preparation [certification] program adopted under this section before taking the appropriate certification examination.

SECTION 10. Section 21.057, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:

(f) If the agency has developed a model notice for purposes of this section, the superintendent must use that model to provide the notice required under this section.

(g) A notice provided under this section, including a notice provided in accordance with Subsection (e), must include information regarding eligibility to participate in the public education grant program under Section 29.202.

SECTION 11. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Sections 21.066 and 21.067 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.066. TEMPORARY COMMISSIONER RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner may adopt rules or amend, repeal, or otherwise modify a rule proposed by the board under this subchapter to ensure the expedited implementation of new teacher preparation routes, requirements, and certificates.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner shall adopt initial rules relating to the implementation of Sections 21.0412, 21.04421, 21.04422, and 21.04423 not later than December 31, 2025.

(c) Section 21.041(e) applies to rules adopted, amended, repealed, or otherwise modified under this section.

(d) This section expires September 1, 2028.

Sec. 21.067. EDUCATOR PREPARATION MATERIALS AND TRAINING.

(a) The commissioner shall develop and make available:

(1) instructional materials for use in educator preparation programs under this subchapter; and

(2) training for faculty responsible for preparing educator candidates.

(b) The materials and training developed under Subsection (a) must:

(1) be research-based;

(2) support the development of proficiency in the knowledge and skills specified by rules proposed under Section 21.044(a)(1); and

(3) allow for an educator candidate to demonstrate the candidate's proficiency, including proficiency in the knowledge and skills described by Subdivision (2).

(c) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 12. Section 21.402, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsections (f-1), (f-2), (f-3), and (f-4) to read as follows:

(f-1) A school district must pay to a classroom teacher with zero years of experience who holds a certificate under Section 21.0412(a) (1), (2), or (3) a minimum salary that is greater than the minimum salary paid to a classroom teacher with zero years of experience who does not hold a certificate under Section 21.0412(a) (1), (2), or (3).

(f-2) The board of trustees of a school district may adopt minimum salaries to satisfy the requirements of Subsection (f-1) as follows:

(1) for a classroom teacher who holds a standard certificate or intern with preservice experience certificate under Section 21.0412(a)(1) or (3), $3,000; and

(2) for a classroom teacher who holds a residency standard certificate under Section 21.0412(a)(2), $6,000.

(f-3) Subsection (f-1) does not apply to a stipend or other form of compensation not included in a classroom teacher's minimum salary under this section.

(f-4) A school district may not adopt a salary schedule that differentiates classroom teacher salaries based solely on a teacher's certification for teachers who have five or more years of teaching experience.

SECTION 13. Section 21.4552(f), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(f) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, including an allotment under Section 48.108, a school district shall provide to the educator preparation program for each classroom teacher who holds an intern with preservice experience certificate under Section 21.0412(a)(3) and completes a literacy achievement academy under this section while employed by the district a one-time payment of $1,000 or another amount set by the agency [This section expires September 1, 2027].

SECTION 14. Section 21.4553(f), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(f) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, including an allotment under Section 48.108, a school district shall provide to the educator preparation program for each classroom teacher who holds an intern with preservice experience certificate under Section 21.0412(a)(3) and completes a mathematics achievement academy under this section while employed by the district a one-time payment of $500 or another amount set by the agency [This section expires September 1, 2027].

SECTION 15. Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter R to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER R. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Sec. 21.901. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Alternative preservice partnership program" means the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Alternative Preservice Program established under Section 21.905.

(2) "Board" means the State Board for Educator Certification.

(3) "Cooperating teacher" means a classroom teacher who:

(A) has at least three full school years of teaching experience with a superior record of assisting students in achieving improvement in student performance;

(B) is employed as a teacher of record by a school district or open-enrollment charter school participating in a preservice partnership program or grow your own partnership program under this subchapter and paired with one or more preservice teacher candidates or grow your own participants at the district or school; and

(C) provides coaching to one or more teacher candidates who participate in grow your own or preservice preparation in the teacher's classroom.

(4) "Grow your own partnership program" means the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Grow Your Own Program established under Section 21.906.

(5) "Mentor teacher" means a mentor teacher as described by Section 21.458.

(6) "Preservice partnership programs" means the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Preservice Programs established under Section 21.902.

(7) "Residency preservice partnership program" means the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Residency Preservice Program established under Section 21.904.

(8) "Teacher candidate" means a person enrolled in an educator preparation program participating in a program under the preservice partnership program.

(9) "Traditional preservice partnership program" means the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Traditional Preservice Program established under Section 21.903.

Sec. 21.902. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP PRESERVICE PROGRAMS. (a) The commissioner shall establish the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Preservice Programs to enable qualified educator preparation programs to form partnerships with school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to provide preservice practice opportunities in a prekindergarten through grade 12 classroom for teacher candidates at the district or school through the traditional partnership program, the residency partnership program, or the alternative partnership program.

(b) A preservice partnership program must be designed to:

(1) allow teacher candidates to receive field-based experience working with cooperating teachers in prekindergarten through grade 12 classrooms; and

(2) gradually increase the amount of time a teacher candidate spends engaging in instructional responsibilities, including observation, co-teaching, and lead-teaching responsibilities.

(c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school participating in a preservice partnership program shall:

(1) enter into a written agreement with an approved educator preparation program to:

(A) provide a teacher candidate with clinical teaching opportunities at the district or school in the subject area and grade level for which the candidate seeks certification; and

(B) pair the teacher candidate with a cooperating teacher who has successfully completed a training program for cooperating teachers that, if required by the agency, must be established or adopted by the agency;

(2) use money received under Section 48.157 only to implement the preservice partnership program;

(3) ensure that a teacher candidate is mentored by a mentor teacher who has completed mentorship training under Section 21.907 for the candidate's first two years as a teacher of record after completing a preservice partnership program; and

(4) provide any information required by the agency regarding the district's or school's implementation of a preservice partnership program.

(d) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may only pair a teacher candidate with a cooperating teacher who agrees to participate in that role in a preservice partnership program at the district or school.

(e) While completing preservice practice hours, a teacher candidate may not be employed or assigned by a school district or open-enrollment charter school as:

(1) a teacher; or

(2) in a position that has primary or sole responsibility for student instruction or supervision, except for limited purposes to gain experience which may not exceed the time the teacher of record for those students has primary or sole responsibility for the instruction or supervision.

Sec. 21.903. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP TRADITIONAL PRESERVICE PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Traditional Preservice Program as a preservice partnership program to enable qualified educator preparation programs that meet the traditional teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04421 to form partnerships with school districts or open-enrollment charter schools to help prepare candidates for a standard certificate.

(b) The program must be designed to:

(1) meet the requirements of a preservice partnership program under Section 21.902; and

(2) allow a teacher candidate to satisfy the traditional teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04421.

(c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school participating in the traditional partnership program shall use money received under Section 48.157(b)(1) to provide compensation to:

(1) teacher candidates for preservice practice hours at the district or school in an amount of at least $3,000 for salary; and

(2) cooperating teachers who are paired with teacher candidates at the district or school in an amount of at least $1,000.

(d) In addition to the amount provided by Subsection (c)(1), a school district shall provide compensation to teacher candidates in any amount above the amount provided by that subdivision for salary using money received under Section 48.157 or from any other available source.

Sec. 21.904. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP RESIDENCY PRESERVICE PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Residency Preservice Program as a preservice partnership program to enable qualified educator preparation programs that meet the teacher residency standard preparation requirements under Section 21.04422 to form partnerships with school districts or open-enrollment charter schools to help prepare candidates for a residency standard certificate.

(b) The program must be designed to:

(1) meet the requirements of a preservice partnership program under Section 21.902; and

(2) allow a teacher candidate to satisfy the teacher residency standard preparation requirements under Section 21.04422.

(c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school participating in the residency partnership program shall use money received under Section 48.157(b) (2) to provide compensation to:

(1) teacher candidates for preservice practice hours at the district or school in an amount of at least $10,000 for salary; and

(2) cooperating teachers who are paired with teacher candidates at the district or school in an amount of at least $2,000.

(d) In addition to the amount provided by Subsection (c)(1), a school district shall provide compensation to teacher candidates in an amount of at least $10,000 for salary using money received under Section 48.157 or from any other available source.

(e) For the 2025-2026 school year, an educator preparation program is not required to incorporate the instruction described by Sections 21.0443(b) (3) and (4) to be eligible to participate in a residency partnership program. This subsection expires September 1, 2026.

Sec. 21.905. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP ALTERNATIVE PRESERVICE PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Alternative Preservice Program as a preservice partnership program to enable qualified educator preparation programs that meet the preservice alternative teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04423 to form partnerships with school districts or open-enrollment charter schools to help prepare candidates for an intern with preservice experience certificate or standard certificate.

(b) The program must be designed to:

(1) meet the requirements of a preservice partnership program under Section 21.902; and

(2) allow a teacher candidate to satisfy the preservice alternative teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04423(1).

(c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school participating in the alternative partnership program shall use money received under Section 48.157(b)(3) to provide compensation to:

(1) teacher candidates for preservice practice hours at the district or school in an amount of at least $3,000 for salary; and

(2) cooperating teachers who are paired with teacher candidates at the district or school in an amount of at least $1,000.

(d) In addition to the amount provided by Subsection (c)(1), a school district shall provide compensation to teacher candidates in any amount above the amount provided by that subdivision for salary using money received under Section 48.157 or from any other available source.

Sec. 21.906. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP GROW YOUR OWN PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Grow Your Own Program to enable qualified institutions of higher education and educator preparation programs, as determined by the commissioner, to form partnerships with school districts or open-enrollment charter schools to establish innovative staffing pipelines to ensure the availability of high-quality educators to benefit future district or school students.

(b) The grow your own partnership program must be designed to form partnerships that support:

(1) high school students in completing career and technical education courses that help prepare the students to become classroom teachers; or

(2) district or school employees who do not hold a teaching certificate in completing a bachelor's degree to enable the person to become a classroom teacher while employed by the district or school.

(c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may participate in a grow your own partnership program only if the district or school has been approved to participate in a preservice partnership program.

(d) A school district or open-enrollment charter school participating in the grow your own partnership program shall:

(1) for a partnership described by Subsection (b)(1), provide:

(A) authentic opportunities, which may be paid or unpaid, for students to practice teaching under the supervision of one or more cooperating teachers; and

(B) guidance and other transition supports as a student begins an undergraduate degree program that offers a route to teacher preparation;

(2) for a partnership described by Subsection (b)(2), provide for a district or school employee:

(A) scheduled release time to support completion of a bachelor's degree;

(B) authentic opportunities to practice teaching under the supervision of one or more cooperating teachers;

(C) on-the-job training aligned with the standards for educator certification established by the board;

(D) a job assignment that includes instructional support for students enrolled in the district or school;

(E) guidance and other transition supports as the employee begins a program to satisfy the teacher preparation requirements under Section 21.04421, 21.04422, or 21.04423; and

(3) enter into a written agreement with an institution of higher education;

(4) require an employee participating in a partnership described by Subsection (b)(2) to, as a condition for participation, earn a bachelor's degree and enroll in an educator preparation program within three years; and

(5) provide any information required by the agency regarding the district's or school's implementation of the grow your own partnership program.

(e) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may use money received under Section 48.157 to implement the grow your own partnership program and pay tuition and fees for students or employees participating in the program.

(f) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may only pair a student or employee participating in the program with a cooperating teacher who agrees to participate in that role in a grow your own partnership program at the district or school.

(g) A student or employee participating in the program may not serve:

(1) as a teacher of record; or

(2) in a position that has primary or sole responsibility for student instruction or supervision except for limited purposes to gain experience which may not exceed the time the teacher of record for those students has primary or sole responsibility for the instruction or supervision.

Sec. 21.907. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish a preparing and retaining educators through partnership mentorship program through which participating school districts or open-enrollment charter schools implement a mentoring program that meets the requirements of Section 21.458 for classroom teachers who have less than two years of teaching experience.

(b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school participating in the program must require a classroom teacher who serves as a mentor teacher to annually complete a training program for mentor teachers established or adopted by the agency.

(c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school shall use money received under Section 48.157(b)(5) only to provide stipends for mentor teachers in an amount of at least $1,000.

(d) If any money remains after providing a stipend to mentor teachers in accordance with Subsection (c), the district may use that money to provide:

(1) scheduled release time for mentor teachers and classroom teachers being mentored to meet and engage in mentoring activities; and

(2) support for mentor teachers through mentor training and strategic staffing training.

Sec. 21.908. AGENCY SUPPORT. The agency shall provide technical assistance, planning, and support to school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and educator preparation programs, which must include:

(1) providing model forms and agreements a district, school, or educator preparation program may use to comply with the requirements of this subchapter;

(2) support for district and school strategic staffing and compensation models to incentivize participation in a partnership program;

(3) support for district, school, and educator preparation program partners in implementing strong partnership practices, including through participation in the grow your own partnership program, and providing high-quality mentorship as required under this subchapter; and

(4) support for educator preparation programs in implementing the partnership programs under this subchapter.

Sec. 21.909. AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT CERTAIN MONEY. The commissioner may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from public and private entities to use for the purposes of this subchapter.

Sec. 21.910. APPROVAL AND ACCOUNTABILITY. (a) The commissioner shall establish standards for partnership programs under this section, including identifying qualifying preparation programs.

(b) The commissioner shall establish performance goals for partnership programs under this Subchapter.

(c) The commissioner shall periodically review the performance of partnership programs in meeting the standards and performance goals.

(d) If the commissioner determines that a partnership program fails to meet the performance goals, the commissioner shall remove authorization of the partnership program under this Subchapter for a period not to exceed five years.

Sec. 21.911. RULES; POLICIES. (a) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this subchapter.

(b) The agency, board, a school district, or an open enrollment charter may not adopt a rule, policy, practice, or goal intended to recruit participants based on race, sex, color, or ethnicity.

SECTION 16. Section 29.202(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A student is eligible to receive a public education grant or to attend another public school in the district in which the student resides under this subchapter if the student is assigned to:

(1) attend a public school campus assigned an unacceptable performance rating that is made publicly available under Section 39.054; or

(2) a classroom teacher or substitute teacher who does not hold an appropriate certification under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, as a teacher of record in a course in the foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1) for more than 30 instructional days.

SECTION 17. Section 29.204, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 29.204. NOTIFICATION. (a) Not later than January 1 of each year the commissioner shall, based on the most recent information available, provide notice to each school district in which a campus described by Section 29.202(a)(1)[29.202] is located that:

(1) identifies each campus in the district that meets the description in Section 29.202(a)(1) [29.202]; and

(2) informs the district that the district must comply with Subsection (b).

(b) Not later than February 1 of each year, a school district shall notify the parent of each student in the district assigned to attend a campus described by Section 29.202(a)(1) [29.202] that the student is eligible for a public education grant. The notice must contain a clear, concise explanation of the public education grant program and of the manner in which the parent may obtain further information about the program.

SECTION 18. Subchapter D, Chapter 48, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 48.157 to read as follows:

Sec. 48.157. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ALLOTMENT. (a) In this section, "teacher candidate" has the meaning assigned by Section 21.901.

(b) Subject to Subsections (f) and (g), a school district is entitled to an annual allotment equal to each of the following applicable amounts:

(1) for each teacher candidate completing preservice practice hours at the district under Section 21.903, the sum of:

(A) $10,000; and

(B) the high needs and rural factor, as determined under Subsection (c), multiplied by $2,000;

(2) for each teacher candidate completing preservice practice hours at the district under Section 21.904, the sum of:

(A) $24,000; and

(B) the high needs and rural factor, as determined under Subsection (c), multiplied by $3,000;

(3) for each teacher candidate completing preservice practice hours at the district under Section 21.905, the sum of:

(A) $10,000; and

(B) the high needs and rural factor, as determined under Subsection (c), multiplied by $2,000;

(4) for each district employee participating in a partnership described by Section 21.906(b)(2), the sum of:

(A) $8,000; and

(B) the high needs and rural factor, as determined under Subsection (c), multiplied by $1,000; and

(5) for each classroom teacher being mentored under the preparing and retaining educators through partnership mentorship program established under Section 21.907, $3,000.

(c) The high needs and rural factor is the lesser of:

(1) the average of the point value assigned to each student at a district campus under Sections 48.112(e) and (f); or

(2) 4.0.

(d) In addition to the funding under Subsection (b), a district is entitled to an additional $2,000 for each teacher candidate described by Subsection (b)(1), (2), or (3) who is a candidate for certification in bilingual education or special education.

(e) The Texas School for the Deaf and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired are entitled to an allotment under this section. If the commissioner determines that assigning point values under Subsection (c) to students enrolled in the Texas School for the Deaf or the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is impractical, the commissioner may use the average point value assigned for those students' home districts for purposes of calculating the high needs and rural factor.

(f) Unless a greater number of individuals is provided for by appropriation for that school year, a school district may receive an allotment for a school year for not more than:

(1) 40 individuals under each of Subsections (b)(2), (4), and (5); and

(2) a total of 80 individuals under Subsections (b)(1) and (3).

(f-1) If a school district has individuals that otherwise qualify for funding under (b)(2) in excess of the cap under (f)(1), the school district may receive funding under (b)(1) for those individuals up to the cap under (f)(2).

(g) For purposes of offsetting tuition, fees, and administrative costs, using money to which a school district is otherwise entitled under Subsection (b), the commissioner shall provide to a teacher candidate's educator preparation program each of the following applicable amounts and reduce the district's allotment under that subsection accordingly:

(1) $5,000 for each teacher candidate who completed a partnership program under Section 21.903 who obtains a standard certificate and has completed one year of employment with the district;

(2) $10,000 for each teacher candidate who completed a partnership program under Section 21.904 who obtains an enhanced standard certificate and has completed one year of employment with the district; and

(3) $2,500 for each teacher candidate participating in the alternative preservice partnership program under Section 21.905 who holds an intern with preservice experience certificate and an additional $2,500 for each teacher candidate who subsequently holds a standard certificate.

(g-l) Institutions of higher education that receive funds under Subsection (g), must spend no less than 85% of those funds within the teacher preparation program.

(h) The agency shall only provide:

(1) $4,000 of the money the school district is entitled to receive under Subsection (b)(1) until a teacher candidate has successfully completed the requirements of a partnership program under Section 21.903 by the deadline established by the agency;

(2) $12,000 of the money the school district is entitled to receive under Subsection (b)(2) until a teacher candidate has successfully completed the requirements of a partnership program under Section 21.904 by the deadline established by the agency;

(3) $4,000 of the money the school district is entitled to receive under Subsection (b)(3) until a district employee has been issued an intern with preservice experience certificate and has successfully completed the applicable requirements of a partnership program under Section 21.905 by the deadline established by the agency; and

(4) 50 percent of the money the school district is entitled to receive under Subsection (b)(4) until the district employee has successfully earned a bachelor's degree by the deadline established by the agency.

SECTION 19. Subchapter G, Chapter 48, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 48.310 to read as follows:

Sec. 48.310. ALLOTMENT FOR COMPLETION OF TEACHER LITERACY OR MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMIES. An educator preparation program that offers a teacher preparation route described by Section 21.04421, 21.04422, or 21.04423(1) is entitled to an annual allotment for each teacher candidate who completes a literacy achievement academy or mathematics achievement academy under Section 21.4552 or 21.4553 approved by the agency for the purpose in the amount of:

(1) $1,000, or a greater amount set by appropriation for that school year, for the completion of a literacy achievement academy; or

(2) $500, or a greater amount set by appropriation for that school year, for the completion of a mathematics achievement academy.

SECTION 20. (a) The following provisions of the Education Code are repealed:

(1) Section 21.051(a);

(2) Subchapter Q, Chapter 21; and

(3) Section 48.114.

(b) Section 825.4092(f), Government Code, is repealed.

SECTION 21. Section 12A.004(a), Education Code, as amended by this article, applies to each local innovation plan adopted under Chapter 12A, Education Code, regardless of whether the plan was adopted before, on, or after the effective date of this article. A local innovation plan adopted or renewed before the effective date of this article must comply with Section 12A.004(a), Education Code, as amended by this article, not later than September 1, 2026.

SECTION 22. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this Act and by Subsection (b) of this section, the changes made by this Act apply beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

(b) Section 21.0032, Education Code, as added by this Act, and Section 21.402, Education Code, as amended by this Act, apply beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

SECTION 23. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

(b) The changes made by this Act take effect immediately if this Act 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, those changes take effect September 1, 2025.