TITLE: Relating to educator preparation programs and teacher certification examinations.

SUMMARY: Relating to educator preparation programs and teacher certification examinations.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to educator preparation programs and teacher certification examinations. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 21.0441, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows: (c) The overall grade point average of each incoming class admitted by an educator preparation program, including an alternative educator preparation program, may not be less than 3.00 on a four-point scale or the equivalent or a higher overall grade point average prescribed by the board. In computing the overall grade point average of an incoming class for purposes of this subsection, a program may: (1) include the grade point average of each person in the incoming class based on all course work previously attempted by the person at a public or private institution of higher education; or (2) include the grade point average of each person in the incoming class based only on the last 60 semester credit hours attempted by the person at a public or private institution of higher education. (d) A person seeking career and technology education certification is not included in determining the overall grade point average of an incoming class under Subsection (c). SECTION 2. Section 21.045(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) Each educator preparation program shall submit data elements as required by the board for an annual performance report to ensure access and equity. At a minimum, the annual report must contain:(1) the performance data from Subsection (a), other than the data required for purposes of Subsection (a)(3), and the following information, disaggregated by sex and ethnicity: (A) [(1)] the number of candidates who apply; (B) [(2)] the number of candidates admitted; (C) [(3)] the number of candidates retained; (D) [(4)] the number of candidates completing the program; (E) [(5)] the number of candidates employed as beginning teachers [in the profession] after completing the program; (F) the amount of time required by candidates employed as beginning teachers to progress from a probationary teaching certificate to a standard teaching certificate; (G) [(6)] the number of candidates retained in the profession; and (H) [(7)] any other information required by federal law;(2) the ratio of candidates employed as beginning teachers to field supervisors; and (3) any other information necessary to enable the board to assess the effectiveness of the program on the basis of teacher retention and success criteria adopted by the board.SECTION 3. Section 21.048, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a-1) and (c-1) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows: (a-1) The board may not require that more than 45 days elapse before a person may retake an examination. A person may not retake an examination more than four times, unless the board waives the limitation for good cause as prescribed by the board. (a-2) For purposes of the limitation imposed by Subsection (a-1) on the number of administrations of an examination, a person who initially took an examination before September 1, 2015, may retake the examination up to four times after that date, regardless of the number of times that the person attempted to perform satisfactorily on the examination before that date. This subsection expires September 1, 2018. (c-1) The results of an examination administered under this section are confidential and are not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, unless [: [(1)] the disclosure is regarding notification to a parent of the assignment of an uncertified teacher to a classroom as required by Section 21.057 [; or [(2) the educator has failed the examination more than five times].SECTION 4. Effective September 1, 2016, Section 21.051, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (b-1) and (c-1) to read as follows: (b) Before a school district may employ a candidate for certification as a teacher of record, the candidate must complete at least 30 [15] hours of field-based experience in which the candidate is actively engaged in instructional or educational activities in the classroom under supervision at: (1) a public school campus accredited or approved for the purpose by the agency; or (2) a private school recognized or approved for the purpose by the agency. (b-1) The hours of field-based experience required by Subsection (b) may not be provided through use of electronic transmission or other video-or technology-based method. (c-1) Subsections (b) and (b-1), as amended and added by.B.,Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, apply only to an initial certification issued on or after September 1, 2016. Those provisions do not affect: (1) the validity of a certification issued before September 1, 2016; or (2) the eligibility of a person who holds a certification issued before September 1, 2016, to obtain a subsequent renewal of the certification in accordance with board rule. SECTION 5. Not later than January 1, 2016, the State Board for Educator Certification shall develop criteria for evaluation of educator preparation programs based on teacher retention and success as required by Section 21.045(b)(3), Education Code, as added by this Act. The State Board for Educator Certification shall consult with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in developing the criteria, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall participate and provide recommendations regarding the criteria. SECTION 6. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.