82R882 PAM-D
 
  By: Villarreal H.B. No. 135
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to field experience requirements for educator
  certification.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 21.051, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 21.051.  RULES REGARDING FIELD EXPERIENCE AND OPTIONS
  FOR FIELD EXPERIENCE AND INTERNSHIPS. (a) In this section,
  "teacher of record" means a person employed by a school district who
  teaches the majority of the instructional day in an academic
  instructional setting and is responsible for evaluating student
  achievement and assigning grades.
         (b)  Before a school district may employ a candidate for
  certification as a teacher of record, the candidate must complete
  at least 15 hours of field experience in which the candidate is
  physically present in a classroom instructing students at:
               (1)  a campus assigned an acceptable performance rating
  in a school district assigned an accredited status as provided by
  Subchapter C, Chapter 39; or
               (2)  a private school recognized for the purpose by the
  agency.
         (c)  The board shall propose rules relating to the field
  experience required by Subsection (b). The commissioner by rule
  shall adopt procedures and standards for recognizing a private
  school under Subsection (b)(2).
         (d)  The board shall propose rules providing flexible
  options for persons for any field experience or internship required
  for certification.
         SECTION 2.  On or before January 1, 2012, the State Board for
  Educator Certification shall propose rules and the Texas Education
  Agency shall adopt rules relating to educator certification as
  prescribed by Section 21.051, Education Code, as amended by this
  Act.
         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, 2011.