By: Allison, Lujan H.B. No. 4358
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to including digital teaching in the micro-credential
certification program for public school educator continuing
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 21.054, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (i) and adding Subsection (i-1) to
read as follows:
(a) The board shall propose rules establishing a process for
identifying continuing education courses and programs that fulfill
educators' continuing education requirements, including
opportunities for educators to receive micro-credentials, as
provided by Subsection (i), in:
(1) fields of study related to the educator's
certification class; or
(2) digital teaching [as provided by Subsection (i)].
(i) The board shall propose rules establishing a program to
issue micro-credentials in fields of study related to an educator's
certification class or in digital teaching. The agency shall
approve continuing education providers to offer micro-credential
courses. A micro-credential received by an educator shall be
recorded on the agency's Educator Certification Online System
(ECOS) and included as part of the educator's public certification
records.
(i-1) In proposing rules under Subsection (i) for
micro-credentials related to digital teaching, the board shall
engage relevant stakeholders.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
school year.
SECTION 3. 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, 2023.