By: Patrick H.B. No. 642
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to continuing education requirements for certain
educators.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 21.054, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:
(d) Continuing education requirements for a classroom
teacher must provide that not more than 25 percent of the training
required every five years include instruction regarding:
(1) collecting and analyzing information that will
improve effectiveness in the classroom;
(2) recognizing early warning indicators that a
student may be at risk of dropping out of school;
(3) integrating technology into classroom
instruction;
(4) educating diverse student populations, including:
(A) students with disabilities, including mental
health disorders;
(B) students who are educationally
disadvantaged;
(C) students of limited English proficiency; and
(D) students at risk of dropping out of school;
and
(5) increasing knowledge of the subject area taught by
the educator.
(e) Continuing education requirements for a principal must
provide that not more than 25 percent of the training required every
five years include instruction regarding:
(1) effective and efficient management, including:
(A) collecting and analyzing information;
(B) making decisions and managing time; and
(C) supervising student discipline and managing
behavior;
(2) recognizing early warning indicators that a
student may be at risk of dropping out of school;
(3) integrating technology into campus curriculum and
instruction;
(4) educating diverse student populations, including:
(A) students with disabilities, including mental
health disorders;
(B) students who are educationally
disadvantaged;
(C) students of limited English proficiency; and
(D) students at risk of dropping out of school;
and
(5) providing instructional leadership, including:
(A) providing teacher support;
(B) maintaining community involvement;
(C) building professional learning communities;
and
(D) recruiting, coaching, remediating, and
retaining campus educators.
(f) Continuing education requirements for a counselor must
provide that not more than 25 percent of training required every
five years include instruction regarding:
(1) assisting students in developing high school
graduation plans;
(2) implementing dropout prevention strategies; and
(3) informing students concerning:
(A) college admissions, including college
financial aid resources and application procedures; and
(B) career opportunities.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2014, the State Board
for Educator Certification shall propose rules implementing
Section 21.054, Education Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 3. An educator subject to continuing education
requirements immediately before the effective date of this Act is
not required to comply with the continuing education requirements
described by Section 21.054(d), (e), or (f), Education Code, as
added by this Act, for any continuing education requirements period
that ends before January 1, 2017.
SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2014-2015
school year.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.