S.B. No. 226
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) assessing students receiving virtual
instruction, based on academic progress; and
(B) developing a virtual learning curriculum;
and
(4) include resources to address any deficiencies
identified by the digital literacy evaluation.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 226 passed the Senate on
April 19, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 226 passed the House on
May 26, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 130, Nays 17, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor