87R1208 KJE-D
By: Paxton S.B. No. 226
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to instruction in educator training programs regarding
digital learning, virtual learning, and virtual instruction.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 21.001, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subdivisions (4) and (5) to read as follows:
(4) "Virtual instruction" means instructional
activities delivered to students primarily over the Internet.
(5) "Virtual learning" means digital learning
facilitated by virtual instruction.
SECTION 2. Section 21.044(c-2), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(c-2) Any minimum academic qualifications for a certificate
specified under Subsection (a) that require a person to possess a
bachelor's degree must also require that the person receive, as
part of the training required to obtain that certificate,
instruction in digital learning, virtual learning, and virtual
instruction, including a digital literacy evaluation followed by a
prescribed digital learning curriculum. The instruction required
must:
(1) be aligned with the International Society for
Technology in Education's standards for teachers;
(2) provide effective, evidence-based strategies to
determine a person's degree of digital literacy; [and]
(3) cover best practices in:
(A) grading students receiving virtual
instruction, based on academic progress; and
(B) developing a virtual learning curriculum
that includes synchronous and asynchronous virtual instruction;
and
(4) include resources to address any deficiencies
identified by the digital literacy evaluation.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.