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