By: Guerra H.B. No. 2256
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating a bilingual special education certification to
teach students of limited English proficiency with disabilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.04891 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.04891. BILINGUAL SPECIAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION.
(a) In this section, "limited English proficiency" has the meaning
assigned by Section 29.052.
(b) To ensure that there are teachers with special training
in providing instruction to students of limited English proficiency
with disabilities, the board shall establish a bilingual special
education certificate.
(c) To be eligible for a certificate established under this
section, a person must:
(1) satisfactorily complete the coursework for that
certificate in an educator preparation program, including a
skills-based course of instruction on providing instruction to
students of limited English proficiency with disabilities, which
must include instruction on:
(A) the foundations of bilingual, multicultural,
and second language special education;
(B) providing culturally responsive
individualized education programs for students of limited English
proficiency with disabilities;
(C) providing assessment for equity and
inclusion of students of limited English proficiency with and
without disabilities;
(D) developing teaching methods to recognize the
intellectual, developmental, and emotional needs of students in
dual language and transitional bilingual education settings;
(E) teaching fundamental academic skills,
including reading, writing, and mathematics, to students of limited
English proficiency; and
(F) creating dynamic and collaborative
partnerships with families and school professionals;
(2) perform satisfactorily on a bilingual special
education certificate examination prescribed by the board; and
(3) satisfy any other requirements prescribed by the
board.
SECTION 2. The State Board for Educator Certification shall
propose rules:
(1) establishing requirements and prescribing an
examination for a bilingual special education certificate as
required by Section 21.04891, Education Code, as added by this Act;
and
(2) establishing standards to govern the approval and
renewal of approval of educator preparation programs for bilingual
special education certification.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.