Texas House Bill HB1313

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/28/09

Caption

Relating to the assignment of a public school student to an uncertified teacher.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1313 could significantly affect the landscape of teacher assignments in Texas public schools, particularly in larger districts with over 5,000 students. It is designed to ensure that students receive instruction from qualified educators, thereby aiming to improve educational outcomes. By minimizing the number of inexperienced teachers in the classroom, supporters believe that overall student performance could benefit. However, it may impose challenges for schools struggling to retain experienced staff, especially in high-need subject areas, which could potentially lead to staffing issues and gaps in educational resources.

Summary

House Bill 1313 seeks to regulate the assignment of public school students to teachers who either lack the necessary certification or sufficient teaching experience. Specifically, the bill mandates that students from kindergarten through sixth grade cannot be assigned to a teacher with less than one year of teaching experience or without the appropriate certification for two consecutive years. For students in grades seven through twelve, the same stipulation applies, but only for subjects assessed under specific educational criteria. Parents or guardians can override this limitation by agreeing with a school counselor or administrator on the assignment of their child to an inexperienced teacher, allowing for some flexibility in certain situations.

Contention

While the bill is aimed at enhancing the education system by addressing the quality of teaching personnel, it has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on school operational flexibility. Critics may argue that strict guidelines could hinder a school's ability to assign teachers based on specific circumstances, especially in rural or underfunded districts where qualified teachers are scarce. Furthermore, discussions around the bill might touch on the degree to which parental consent should weigh against the established educational standards designed to protect student learning. The balance between securing high-quality education and accommodating individual school needs remains a critical point of contention.