BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2249 By: Zaffirini Education 4/22/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, teachers of children with visual impairments can be certified without appropriate training if they pass the two required state certification examinations. Insufficient instruction by these teachers can cause significant harm to these children, whose safety and education are already at risk due to their visual impairment. This bill would prevent teachers of children with visual impairments from being certified by passing the two required state certification exams only. This bill would require teachers to complete all of the required coursework prior to taking the certification exams. As proposed, S.B. 2249 relates to a certification program for teachers of students with visual impairments. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 30.002, Education Code, by amending Subsection (g) and adding Subsections (h) and (i), as follows: (g) Requires an educator, to become certified as a teacher of students with visual impairments, to successfully complete all coursework required by a State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC)-approved preparation program in that field, and pass the SBEC-approved examinations in braille and in visual impairments. (h) Requires teachers certified in other states or territories to meet the requirements established by SBEC in order to teach students with visual impairments in this state. (i) Creates this subsection from existing text. Makes no further changes to this subsection. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2249
By: Zaffirini
Education
4/22/2009
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, teachers of children with visual impairments can be certified without appropriate training if they pass the two required state certification examinations. Insufficient instruction by these teachers can cause significant harm to these children, whose safety and education are already at risk due to their visual impairment. This bill would prevent teachers of children with visual impairments from being certified by passing the two required state certification exams only. This bill would require teachers to complete all of the required coursework prior to taking the certification exams.
As proposed, S.B. 2249 relates to a certification program for teachers of students with visual impairments.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 30.002, Education Code, by amending Subsection (g) and adding Subsections (h) and (i), as follows:
(g) Requires an educator, to become certified as a teacher of students with visual impairments, to successfully complete all coursework required by a State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC)-approved preparation program in that field, and pass the SBEC-approved examinations in braille and in visual impairments.
(h) Requires teachers certified in other states or territories to meet the requirements established by SBEC in order to teach students with visual impairments in this state.
(i) Creates this subsection from existing text. Makes no further changes to this subsection.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.