82R7526 KJM-D
By: Farias H.B. No. 1585
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain eligibility requirements of the Teach for Texas
Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 56.353, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
read as follows:
(a) Teach for Texas repayment assistance is available only
to a person who applies for the assistance and who:
(1) is certified in a teaching field identified by the
commissioner of education as experiencing a critical shortage of
teachers in this state in the year in which the person receives the
assistance and has for at least one year taught full-time at, and is
currently teaching full-time at, the preschool, primary, or
secondary level in a public school in this state in that teaching
field; [or]
(2) is a certified educator who has for at least one
year taught full-time at, and is currently teaching full-time at,
the preschool, primary, or secondary level in a public school in
this state at which it is difficult to attract or retain educators,
as [in a community] identified by the commissioner of education for
[as experiencing a critical shortage of teachers in] the year in
which the person receives the assistance; or
(3) is a certified educator who has for at least one
year taught full-time at, and is currently teaching full-time at,
the preschool, primary, or secondary level in a public school in
this state in which more than 50 percent of the students enrolled
are economically disadvantaged, as identified by the commissioner
of education for the year in which the person receives the
assistance.
(a-1) The commissioner of education each year shall
identify:
(1) for purposes of Subsections (a)(2) and (3), public
schools in this state at which it is difficult to attract or retain
educators; and
(2) for purposes of Subsection (a)(3), public schools
in this state in which more than 50 percent of the students enrolled
are economically disadvantaged.
(b) The coordinating board in awarding repayment assistance
shall give priority to applicants who are described by Subsection
(a)(2) or (3) or who demonstrate financial need.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act to Section
56.353, Education Code, applies only to eligibility for loan
repayment assistance under Subchapter O, Chapter 56, Education
Code, on the basis of an application submitted on or after September
1, 2011. Eligibility on the basis of an application submitted
before September 1, 2011, is covered by the law in effect at the
time the application was submitted, and the former law is continued
in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.