H.B. No. 2256
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 individualized education programs
for students of limited English proficiency with disabilities;
(C) providing assessment 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 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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2256 was passed by the House on May 6,
2021, by the following vote: Yeas 113, Nays 30, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2256 on May 28, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 113, Nays 32,
1 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2256 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 26, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays
1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor