Texas House Bill HB3421

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/09

Caption

Relating to educator preparation programs and educator certification, performance, and recruitment.

Impact

If passed, HB3421 will introduce a new accountability system for educator preparation programs, which will include annual performance reports that disaggregate data by sex and ethnicity. Programs will be required to provide data related to admissions, retention rates, and graduate employment in the teaching profession. Additionally, sanctions could be imposed on programs failing to meet the established standards, potentially leading to the revocation of their approval status. This could lead to reformed practices in how programs operate and enhance the quality of educators entering the profession.

Summary

House Bill 3421 focuses on enhancing educator preparation programs in Texas by amending various sections of the Education Code. This bill aims to streamline and strengthen accountability measures for educator preparation programs, ensuring that they meet specific performance standards and effectively prepare educators for certification. The proposed amendments include rules for the approval and ongoing accountability of educator programs, requiring a comprehensive review and evaluation process by the board and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This effort is intended to ensure that educator preparation programs maintain high academic standards and effectively train future educators.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the implementation of stricter performance standards, particularly from educator preparation programs that may face added pressures and potential financial implications due to the need for compliance with new regulations. The emphasis on data reporting and accountability may raise concerns about equitable access and the impact on diverse student populations within these programs. Furthermore, the effectiveness of such measures in truly improving education outcomes may also be debated among educators and policymakers.