88R2468 JTZ-D
By: Shaheen H.B. No. 621
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to creating a temporary educator certification for certain
military service members.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.0444 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.0444. TEMPORARY CERTIFICATION FOR CERTAIN MILITARY
SERVICE MEMBERS. (a) This section applies to a person seeking
certification who:
(1) has served in the armed forces of the United
States; and
(2) was honorably discharged, retired, or released
from active duty.
(b) The board shall propose rules under this subchapter
providing for the issuance of a temporary certificate to a person
described by Subsection (a) who meets all other eligibility
requirements for certification, except that the person may
substitute for a requirement that the person hold:
(1) an associate degree from an accredited institution
of higher education, 48 months of active duty military service; or
(2) a bachelor's degree:
(A) the military service described by
Subdivision (1); and
(B) 60 semester credit hours completed at a
public or private institution of higher education with a minimum
grade point average of at least 2.50 on a four-point scale.
(c) Rules proposed by the board for a temporary certificate
issued under this section must provide that the certificate is:
(1) valid for no more than five years;
(2) limited to a one-time issuance; and
(3) not subject to renewal.
(d) A person issued a temporary certificate under this
section may be issued a standard certificate if the person
completes all eligibility requirements required for that
certification.
SECTION 2. Section 21.458, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as
follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-2), each [Each]
school district may assign a mentor teacher to each classroom
teacher who has less than two years of teaching experience in the
subject or grade level to which the teacher is assigned. A teacher
assigned as a mentor must:
(1) to the extent practicable, teach in the same
school;
(2) to the extent practicable, teach the same subject
or grade level, as applicable; and
(3) meet the qualifications prescribed by
commissioner rules adopted under Subsection (b).
(a-2) A school district shall assign a mentor teacher to a
classroom teacher who has been issued a temporary certificate under
Section 21.0444 for at least two school years.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the State Board for Educator Certification shall
propose rules relating to temporary educator certificates for
certain military service members as required by Section 21.0444,
Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.