By: Hochberg H.B. No. 3624
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of educational aides for tuition
exemptions at public institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 54.214, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (c), (f), and (g) and adding Subsection (c-1)
to read as follows:
(c) To be eligible for an exemption under this section, a
person must:
(1) be a resident of this state;
(2) be a school employee serving in any capacity;
(3) for the initial term or semester for which the
person receives an exemption under this section, have worked as an
educational aide for at least one school year during the five years
preceding that term or semester;
(4) establish financial need as determined by
coordinating board rule;
(5) be enrolled at the institution of higher education
granting the exemption in courses required for teacher
certification in one or more subject areas determined by the Texas
Education Agency to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers
at the public schools in this state [at the institution of higher
education granting the exemption];
(6) maintain an acceptable grade point average as
determined by coordinating board rule; and
(7) comply with any other requirements adopted by the
coordinating board under this section.
(c-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(5), a person who
previously received a tuition exemption under Section 54.214
remains eligible for an exemption if the person:
(1) is enrolled at an institution of higher education
granting the exemption in courses required for teacher
certification; and
(2) meets the eligibility requirements in Subsection
(c) other than Subsection (c)(5).
(f) The board of trustees of a school district shall
establish a plan to encourage the hiring of educational aides who
show a willingness to become certified teachers in one or more
subject areas determined by the Texas Education Agency to be
experiencing a critical shortage of teachers at the public schools
in this state.
(g) The governing board of an institution of higher
education that offers courses required for teacher certification in
one or more subject areas determined by the Texas Education Agency
to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers at the public
schools in this state shall establish a plan to make those courses
more accessible to those who seek teacher certification. The board
shall consider as part of its plan to make those courses more
accessible for teacher certification, evening classes, Internet
classes, or other means approved by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies
beginning with tuition and fees charged for the 2011 fall semester.
Tuition and fees charged for a term or semester before the 2011 fall
semester are covered by the law in effect immediately before the
effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.