By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 54
(Eissler)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certification to teach public school students who have
visual impairments.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.0485 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.0485. CERTIFICATION TO TEACH STUDENTS WITH VISUAL
IMPAIRMENTS. (a) To be eligible to be issued a certificate to
teach students with visual impairments, a person must:
(1) complete either:
(A) all course work required for that
certification in an approved educator preparation program; or
(B) an alternative educator certification
program approved for the purpose by the board;
(2) perform satisfactorily on each examination
prescribed under Section 21.048 for certification to teach students
with visual impairments, after completing the course work or
program described by Subdivision (1); and
(3) satisfy any other requirements prescribed by the
board.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to eligibility for a
certificate to teach students with visual impairments, including
eligibility for renewal of that certificate, if the application for
the initial certificate was submitted on or before September 1,
2011.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.