Source: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/sbecrules/tac/chapter232/ch232a.html
Timestamp: 2017-12-16 18:35:02
Document Index: 460883843

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Chapter 232, Subchapter A
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this Subchapter A issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031(a), 21.041(b)(1)-(3) and (7)-(9), and 21.054, unless otherwise noted.
§232.1. General Provisions.
(a) All educators should model the philosophy of life-long learning; therefore, participation in professional development activities is expected of all educators. Activities must focus on the need of each educator to continually update his or her knowledge of current content, best practices, research, and technology that is relevant to his or her individual role as an educator. The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) shall ensure that requirements for renewal and continuing professional education are flexible to allow each individual educator to identify the activities he or she will complete to satisfy the SBEC's requirements.
(b) This chapter provides the minimum requirements necessary to renew any class of certificate issued by the SBEC.
(c) Each individual who holds a standard certificate(s) is responsible for renewing the certificate(s) and paying a fee for late renewal. Failure to receive notice of the renewal requirement or deadline does not excuse the individual's obligation to renew or pay applicable fees.
(d) The SBEC may deny renewal if the educator fails to comply with the requirements of this subchapter.
(e) The deadlines established for renewal, late renewals, and fees are established by procedures approved by the SBEC and are subject to change.
(f) The SBEC shall deny or cancel the renewal of an educator's certificate(s) if required by the Texas Education Code (TEC), §57.491, regarding defaults on guaranteed student loans, or pursuant to an interagency agreement with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) relating to judgment debts for student loans owed to the THECB.
(g) The SBEC shall deny or cancel the renewal of an educator's certificate(s) as provided by the Texas Family Code, Chapter 232, regarding failure to pay child support.
(h) If reissued, Texas lifetime certificates surrendered in lieu of revocation or revoked at any time shall be reissued as standard certificates and subject to the requirements of this subchapter.
(i) Pursuant to the TEC, §21.003(a), an educator employed by a Texas public school district who fails to satisfy each of the requirements to renew his or her standard certificate(s) by the renewal date moves to inactive status and is ineligible for employment in a Texas public school district in a position for which a certificate is required until all appropriate requirements are satisfied. However, if an educator has completed the requirements for renewal and submitted a renewal application prior to the expiration date of the certificate, the certificate will not be considered to have expired.
Source: The provisions of this §232.1 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764.
§232.3. Voluntary Renewal of Current Texas Educators.
Educators holding a valid Texas lifetime certificate issued prior to September 1, 1999, may voluntarily comply with the requirements of this subchapter.
Source: The provisions of this §232.3 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764.
§232.5. Renewal Date for Certificates.
(a) The renewal date of a standard certificate shall be five years after the last day of the certificate holder's next birth month.
(b) If an educator holds multiple certificates, all certificates will be renewed concurrently and are subject to renewal after the last day of the certificate holder's birth month in the year in which the earliest certificate was issued.
(c) If an educator holds an educational aide certificate and qualifies for a standard classroom teaching certificate, the expiration date of the new standard teaching certificate shall be five years after the last day of the certificate holder's next birth month.
(d) Pursuant to the Texas Education Code, §21.0031(f), a certificate or permit is not considered to have expired if the educator has completed the renewal requirements of this subchapter and has applied for renewal prior to the expiration date of the certificate or permit. Pursuant to the Texas Government Code, §2001.054, if an educator makes timely and sufficient application for the renewal or extension of a certificate or permit that is not granted because of the pendency of a matter subject to notice and hearing pursuant to Chapter 249 of this title (relating to Disciplinary Proceedings, Sanctions, and Contested Cases), the existing certificate or permit does not expire until the application for renewal or extension has been finally determined by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the last day for seeking review of the SBEC order has passed.
(e) The renewal of a certificate that is delayed as a result of failure to meet the renewal requirements of this subchapter will not become effective until all renewal requirements have been satisfied.
(f) If all renewal requirements have been satisfied and submitted to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the effective renewal date of a certificate or permit will not be affected by any TEA processing delay.
Source: The provisions of this §232.5 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764.
§232.7. Requirements for Certificate Renewal.
(a) The Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff shall develop procedures to:
(1) notify educators at least six months prior to the expiration of the renewal period to the email address as specified in §230.91 of this title (relating to Procedures in General);
(2) confirm compliance with all renewal requirements pursuant to this subchapter;
(3) notify educators who are not renewed due to noncompliance with this section; and
(4) verify that educators applying for reactivation of certificate(s) under §232.9 of this title (relating to Inactive Status and Late Renewal) are in compliance with subsection (c)(2)-(6) of this section.
(b) The TEA staff shall administratively approve each hardship exemption request that meets the criteria specified in paragraphs (1)-(3) of this subsection.
(1) A hardship exemption must be due to one of the following circumstances that prevented the educator's completion of renewal requirements:
(A) catastrophic illness or injury of the educator;
(B) catastrophic illness or injury of an immediate family member; or
(C) military service of the educator.
(2) The request for a hardship exemption must include documentation from a licensed physician or verified military records.
(3) The request for the amount of time allowed for renewal is equal to:
(A) the amount of time that a licensed physician determined that the educator was not able to complete renewal requirements due to the educator's catastrophic illness or injury; or
(B) the amount of time that a licensed physician determined that the educator was not able to complete renewal requirements due to the catastrophic illness or injury of an immediate family member; or
(C) two years of additional time for a military service member, in accordance with the Texas Occupations Code, §55.003.
(4) If a hardship exemption request is approved, the educator must pay the appropriate renewal fee, pursuant to §232.25 of this title (relating to Fees Payable Upon Certificate Renewal or Reactivation).
(c) To be eligible for renewal, an educator must:
(1) satisfy continuing professional education requirements, pursuant to §232.11 of this title (relating to Number and Content of Required Continuing Professional Education Hours);
(2) hold a valid standard certificate that is not currently suspended and has not been surrendered in lieu of revocation or revoked by lawful authority;
(3) not be a respondent in a disciplinary proceeding under Chapter 249 of this title (relating to Disciplinary Proceedings, Sanctions, and Contested Cases);
(4) successfully resolve any reported criminal history, as defined by §249.3 of this title (relating to Definitions);
(5) not be in default on a guaranteed student loan reported by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation or a judgment debt for a student loan owed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, unless repayment arrangements have been made;
(6) not be in arrears of child support, pursuant to the Texas Family Code, Chapter 232;
(7) pay the renewal fee, pursuant to §232.25 of this title, which shall be a single fee regardless of the number of certificates being renewed; and
(8) submit fingerprints in accordance with §232.35(c) of this title (relating to Submission of Required Information) and the TEC, §22.0831.
(d) The TEA staff shall renew the certificate(s) of an educator who meets all requirements of this subchapter.
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §232.7 issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (7)-(9), 21.054, and 21.0541, and the Texas Occupations Code, §55.002 and §55.003.
Source: The provisions of this §232.7 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764; amended to be effective August 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 6195.
§232.9. Inactive Status and Late Renewal.
(a) The certificate(s) of an educator holding a valid standard certificate who does not satisfy the requirements of this subchapter shall be placed on inactive status, subject to the requirements of the Texas Education Code, §21.0031(f). Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff shall notify a person by email of the reason(s) for denying the renewal and the actions or conditions required for removal from inactive status. At any time, the educator may apply to have his or her certificate(s) reactivated and submit the reactivation fee. The TEA staff shall administratively approve reactivation of the educator's certificate(s) subject to verification that the educator is in compliance with §232.7 of this title (relating to Requirements for Certificate Renewal). The renewal date of a reactivated certificate(s) shall be five years after the last day of the certificate holder's next birth month.
(b) A person who satisfies all requirements for renewal prior to the certificate expiration date and submits an application no more than six months after the expiration date of a certificate shall pay a late renewal fee in addition to the standard renewal fee. The certificate status will be set to valid, and the effective date of the certificate will be the day after the prior expiration date. A person whose certificate has become inactive longer than six months after the expiration date because of failure to renew shall pay a late renewal fee in addition to the standard renewal fee and also pay a reactivation fee. The certificate status will be set to valid, and the effective date of the certificate will be the date the educator completed continuing professional education (CPE) hours, provided it is not more than 60 days prior to the date of the application. If the application is submitted more than 60 days after CPE hours were completed, the effective date will be 60 days prior to the date of the application. The amount of these fees shall be as provided in §230.101 of this title (relating to Schedule of Fees for Certification Services).
(c) If a person does not satisfy the required CPE hours at the expiration of the renewal period, the person may have the certificate(s) removed from inactive status and reactivated by verifying through an affidavit whether he or she is in compliance with renewal requirements, including CPE hours, and paying any applicable fee(s).
(d) The TEA staff shall be responsible for auditing compliance with renewal requirements. The TEA audit procedures shall be based on available resources and may include random audits. The TEA staff shall contact an educator selected for an audit of his or her renewal requirements and provide the educator with information needed to submit the documentation that supports certificate renewal. The TEA staff at any time may review the documentation required for renewal under this subchapter, which may include the documentation described in §232.15 of this title (relating to Types of Acceptable Continuing Professional Education Activities) and §232.21 of this title (relating to Provider Registration Requirements).
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §232.9 issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (7)-(9), 21.054, and 21.0541, and the Texas Occupations Code, §55.002 and §55.003.
Source: The provisions of this §232.9 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764; amended to be effective August 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 6195; amended to be effective October 17, 2017, 42 TexReg 5682.
§232.11. Number and Content of Required Continuing Professional Education Hours.
(a) The appropriate number of clock-hours of continuing professional education (CPE), as specified in §232.13 of this title (relating to Number of Required Continuing Professional Education Hours by Classes of Certificates), must be completed during each five-year renewal period.
(b) One semester credit hour earned at an accredited institution of higher education is equivalent to 15 CPE clock-hours.
(c) At least 80% of the CPE activities shall be directly related to the certificate(s) being renewed and focus on the standards required for the initial issuance of the certificate(s), including:
(1) content area knowledge and skills;
(2) professional ethics and standards of conduct;
(3) professional development, which should encompass topics such as the following:
(A) district and campus priorities and objectives;
(B) child development, including research on how children learn;
(C) classroom management;
(D) applicable federal and state laws;
(E) diversity and special needs of student populations;
(F) increasing and maintaining parental involvement;
(G) integration of technology into educational practices;
(H) ensuring that students read on or above grade level;
(I) diagnosing and removing obstacles to student achievement; and
(J) instructional practices.
(4) Not more than 25% of the CPE activities for a classroom teacher shall include instruction regarding:
(C) integrating technology into classroom instruction; and
(D) educating diverse student populations, including:
(i) students with disabilities, including mental health disorders;
(ii) students who are educationally disadvantaged;
(iii) students of limited English proficiency; and
(iv) students at risk of dropping out of school.
(5) Not more than 25% of the CPE activities for a principal shall include instruction regarding:
(A) effective and efficient management, including:
(i) collecting and analyzing information;
(ii) making decisions and managing time; and
(iii) supervising student discipline and managing behavior;
(C) integrating technology into campus curriculum and instruction; and
(6) Not more than 25% of the CPE activities for a school counselor shall include instruction regarding:
(A) assisting students in developing high school graduation plans;
(B) implementing dropout prevention strategies; and
(C) informing students concerning:
(i) college admissions, including college financial aid resources and application procedures; and
(ii) career opportunities.
(d) Educators are encouraged to identify CPE activities based on results of his or her annual appraisal required under the Texas Education Code, Chapter 21, Subchapter H.
(e) The required CPE for educators who teach students with dyslexia must include training regarding new research and practices in educating students with dyslexia. The required training may be satisfied through an online course approved by Texas Education Agency staff.
(f) An educator eligible to renew multiple classes of certificates issued during the same renewal period may satisfy the requirements specified in §232.13 of this title for any class of certificate issued for less than the full five-year period by completing a prorated number of the required CPE clock-hours. Educators must complete a minimum of one-fifth of the additional CPE clock-hours for each full calendar year that the additional class of certificate is valid.
(g) An educator may fulfill up to 12 clock-hours of required CPE activities by participating in a mental health first aid training program offered by a local mental health authority under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §1001.203. The number of clock-hours of CPE an educator may fulfill under this subsection may not exceed the number of clock-hours the educator actually spends participating in a mental health first aid training program.
(h) An educator may receive credit toward CPE requirements for completion of an instructional course on the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) that meets the guidelines for AED training approved under Texas Health and Safety Code, §779.002, in accordance with the Texas Education Code (TEC), §21.0541.
(i) An educator may receive credit toward CPE requirements for completion of suicide prevention training that meets the guidelines for suicide prevention training approved under the TEC, §21.451.
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §232.11 issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (7)-(9), 21.054, and 21.0541, and the Texas Occupations Code, §55.002 and §55.003.
Source: The provisions of this §232.11 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764; amended to be effective May 18, 2014, 39 TexReg 3709; amended to be effective August 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 6195.
§232.13. Number of Required Continuing Professional Education Hours by Classes of Certificates.
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §232.13 issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (7)-(9), 21.054, and 21.0541, and the Texas Occupations Code, §55.002 and §55.003.
Source: The provisions of this §232.13 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764; amended to be effective August 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 6195.
§232.15. Types of Acceptable Continuing Professional Education Activities.
(a) The following are acceptable types of continuing professional education (CPE) activities:
(1) participating in institutes, workshops, seminars, conferences, interactive distance learning, video conferencing, online activities, and in-service or staff development activities given by an approved provider or sponsor, pursuant to §232.21 of this title (relating to Provider Registration Requirements), in content area knowledge and skills related to the certificate(s) being renewed. Staff development activities completed through accredited public and private schools in other states, United States territories, and countries other than the United States may be accepted;
(2) completing undergraduate courses in content area knowledge and skills related to the certificate(s) being renewed, graduate courses, or training programs that are taken through an accredited institution of higher education that at the time was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or as outlined in §230.1 of this title (relating to Definitions);
(3) participating in an independent study in content area knowledge and skills related to the certificate(s) being renewed, not to exceed 20% of the required clock-hours, which may include:
(A) self-study of relevant professional materials (e.g., books, journals, periodicals, video and audio tapes, computer software, interactive distance learning, video conferencing, or online activities);
(B) developing curriculum; or
(C) authoring a published work;
(4) developing, teaching, or presenting a CPE activity described in this subsection or subsection (b) of this section, not to exceed 10% of the required clock-hours; and
(5) providing professional guidance as a mentor to another educator, not to exceed 30% of the required clock-hours.
(b) Completion of each CPE activity should be evidenced by documentation (e.g., transcripts, certificates of completion, or attendance logs).
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §232.15 issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (7)-(9), 21.054, and 21.0541, and the Texas Occupations Code, §55.002 and §55.003.
Source: The provisions of this §232.15 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764; amended to be effective August 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 6195.
§232.17. Pre-Approved Professional Education Provider or Sponsor.
(a) The following may provide and/or sponsor continuing professional education (CPE) activities and must comply with the provisions of §232.21 of this title (relating to Provider Registration Requirements). Pre-approved providers include:
(1) State Board for Educator Certification;
(2) Texas Education Agency;
(3) accredited institutions of higher education that at the time were accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
(4) regional education service centers;
(5) Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. To be creditable toward CPE requirements, school district in-service and/or staff development activities must be developed, approved, and conducted in accordance with the Texas Education Code, §21.451;
(6) private schools, as defined in §230.1 of this title (relating to Definitions); and
(7) professional membership associations or non-profits that have offered professional development in Texas for at least five years and have tax-exempt status under 26 United States Code, §501(c)(3)-(6), or a state association affiliated with a national association with tax-exempt status.
(b) If private companies, entities, and individuals provide CPE activities on behalf of a pre-approved provider, the pre-approved provider is responsible for ensuring compliance with quality and documentation requirements of §232.21 of this title.
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §232.17 issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (7)-(9), 21.054, and 21.0541, and the Texas Occupations Code, §55.002 and §55.003.
Source: The provisions of this §232.17 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764; amended to be effective August 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 6195.
§232.19. Approval of Private Companies, Private Entities, and Individuals.
Private companies, private entities, and individuals who wish to provide continuing professional education (CPE) for Texas educators on their own behalf must register with the State Board for Educator Certification and be approved under §232.21 of this title (relating to Provider Registration Requirements).
(1) The Texas Education Agency staff shall develop procedures to approve as providers and/or sponsors any other person, agency, or entity seeking to offer CPE activities pursuant to the requirements of this subchapter.
(2) It is the responsibility of the educator to verify the approval status of any CPE provider prior to completion of the CPE activities.
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §232.19 issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (7)-(9), 21.054, and 21.0541, and the Texas Occupations Code, §55.002 and §55.003.
Source: The provisions of this §232.19 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764; amended to be effective August 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 6195.
§232.21. Provider Registration Requirements.
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §232.21 issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (7)-(9), 21.054, and 21.0541, and the Texas Occupations Code, §55.002 and §55.003.
Source: The provisions of this §232.21 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764; amended to be effective August 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 6195.
§232.23. Verification of Renewal Requirements.
(a) Written documentation of completion of all activities applied toward continuing professional education (CPE) requirements shall be maintained by each educator.
(b) By the date renewal is required, the educator shall verify through an affidavit in a manner determined by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff whether he or she is in compliance with renewal requirements, including CPE.
(c) The TEA staff shall be responsible for auditing compliance with renewal requirements. The TEA audit procedures shall be based on available resources and may include random audits. The TEA staff shall contact an educator selected for an audit of his or her renewal requirements and provide the educator with information needed to submit the documentation that supports certificate renewal. The TEA staff at any time may review the documentation required for renewal under this subchapter, which may include the documentation described in §232.15 of this title (relating to Types of Acceptable Continuing Professional Education Activities) and §232.21 of this title (relating to Provider Registration Requirements).
Statutory Authority: The provisions of this §232.23 issued under the Texas Education Code, §§21.003(a), 21.0031(f), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (7)-(9), 21.054, and 21.0541, and the Texas Occupations Code, §55.002 and §55.003.
Source: The provisions of this §232.23 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764; amended to be effective August 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 6195.
§232.25. Fees Payable Upon Certificate Renewal or Reactivation.
The fees for the following services will be in the amounts provided in §230.101 of this title (relating to Schedule of Fees for Certification Services):
(1) renewal fee--payable at the time of renewal to support the functions of the SBEC, including renewal, investigations, and enforcement;
(2) reactivation of inactive certificate--payable upon application to reactivate;
(3) late renewal fee;
(4) reinstatement following restitution for default on student loan or nonpayment of child support; and
(5) national criminal history review.
Source: The provisions of this §232.25 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5764.