By: Paxton S.B. No. 1731
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain degree and internship requirements for teacher
certification.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 21.050, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 21.050. ACADEMIC DEGREE REQUIRED FOR TEACHING
CERTIFICATE[; INTERNSHIP]. [(a)] A person who applies for a
teaching certificate for which board rules require a bachelor's
degree must possess a bachelor's degree received with an education
major or another academic major or interdisciplinary academic
major, including reading, [other than education,] that is related
to the curriculum as prescribed under Subchapter A, Chapter 28.
[(b) The board may not require more than 18 semester credit
hours of education courses at the baccalaureate level for the
granting of a teaching certificate. The board shall provide for a
minimum number of semester credit hours of internship to be
included in the hours needed for certification. The board may
propose rules requiring additional credit hours for certification
in bilingual education, English as a second language, early
childhood education, or special education.
[(c) A person who receives a bachelor's degree required for
a teaching certificate on the basis of higher education coursework
completed while receiving an exemption from tuition and fees under
Section 54.363 may not be required to participate in any field
experience or internship consisting of student teaching to receive
a teaching certificate.]
SECTION 2. Section 21.047(c), Education Code, is repealed.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020
school year.
SECTION 4. 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, 2019.