Relating to the certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency.

89(R) SB 2253 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

By: Creighton, et al.

S.B. No. 2253

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the certification of public school educators, including

financial and other assistance provided to public schools by the

Texas Education Agency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 12A.004(a), Education Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(a) A local innovation plan may not provide for the

exemption of a district designated as a district of innovation from

the following provisions of this title:

(1) a state or federal requirement applicable to an

open-enrollment charter school operating under Subchapter D,

Chapter 12;

(2) Subchapters A, C, D, and E, Chapter 11, except that

a district may be exempt from Sections 11.1511(b)(5) and (14) and

Section 11.162;

(3)
the employment of uncertified classroom teachers

under Section 21.0032;

(4)

parental notification requirements under Section

21.057;

(5)
state curriculum and graduation requirements

adopted under Chapter 28; and

(6)
[
(4)
] academic and financial accountability and

sanctions under Chapters 39 and 39A.

SECTION 2. Section 19.007(g), Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(g) In addition to other amounts received by the district

under this section, the district is entitled to
:

(1)
state aid in the amount necessary to fund the

salary increases required by Section 19.009(d-2)
; and

(2)

the preparing and retaining educators through

partnership program allotment under Section 48.157
.

SECTION 3. Section 21.001, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subdivision (3-b) to read as follows:

(3-b)

"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.

SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Education Code, is

amended by adding Sections 21.0032 and 21.0033 to read as follows:

Sec.

21.0032.

EMPLOYMENT OF UNCERTIFIED CLASSROOM

TEACHERS. (a)

A school district may not employ as a teacher of

record for a course in the foundation curriculum under Section

28.002 a person who does not hold an appropriate certificate or

permit required by the State Board for Educator Certification under

Subchapter B.

(a-1)

Notwithstanding Subsection (a), on the receipt and

approval of a plan submitted by a school district to the

commissioner that provides a reasonable timeline and strategy to

comply with that subsection before the beginning of the 2029-2030

school year, the commissioner may allow the district to delay

implementation of the requirement of that subsection. This

subsection expires September 1, 2030.

(a-2)

Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and Section 12A.004, a

school district that has adopted a local innovation plan under

Chapter 12A for the 2026-2027 school year that exempts the district

from the applicable teacher certification requirements under

Section 21.003 may employ as a teacher of record for a course other

than a reading language arts or mathematics course in a grade level

above grade five a person who does not hold an appropriate

certificate or permit required by the State Board for Educator

Certification under Subchapter B.

This subsection expires

September 1, 2027.

(b) This section does not preclude a school district from:

(1) receiving a waiver under Section 7.056; or

(2)

issuing a school district teaching permit under

Section 21.055.

Sec.

21.0033.

TEACHER CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE.

(a)

From

money appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the

agency shall provide to each school district a one-time payment of

$1,000 for each classroom teacher employed by the district who:

(1)

was hired for the 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 school

year as a first-year teacher;

(2) was uncertified on January 1, 2025;

(3)

earned a standard certificate under Subchapter B

by the end of the 2025-2026 school year; and

(4)

was continuously employed by the district since

the school year described by Subdivision (1).

(b) This section expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 5. Section 21.041, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e)

A rule proposed by the board under this section relating

to educator preparation is not subject to Section 2001.0045,

Government Code.

SECTION 6. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is

amended by adding Sections 21.0412, 21.04421, 21.04422, and

21.04423 to read as follows:

Sec.

21.0412.

TYPES OF TEACHING CERTIFICATES. (a) In

proposing rules specifying the types of teaching certificates to be

issued under this subchapter, the board shall provide for a

candidate to be issued:

(1) a standard certificate if the candidate satisfies:

(A)

all traditional teacher preparation

requirements under Section 21.04421; or

(B)

the applicable alternative teacher

preparation requirements under Section 21.04423;

(2)

a residency standard certificate if the candidate

satisfies all requirements of the teacher residency preparation

route established under Section 21.04422;

(3)

an intern with preservice experience certificate,

which expires one year after issuance unless modified by the board,

if the candidate has yet to satisfy all requirements for

certification for a preservice alternative teacher preparation

route established under Section 21.04423(1) but has completed a

sufficient number of preservice practice hours to serve as a

teacher of record; and

(4)

an intern certificate, which expires two years

after issuance unless modified by the board, if the candidate has

yet to satisfy all requirements for certification for an

alternative teacher preparation route established under Section

21.04423(2) but has met all board requirements to serve as a teacher

of record.

(b)

Rules proposed under Subsection (a)(2) may not require a

candidate to pass a pedagogy examination unless the examination

tests subject-specific content appropriate for the grade level and

subject area for which the candidate seeks certification.

(c)

A candidate for a certification described by Subsection

(a) must meet all other requirements imposed under this subchapter

or board rule applicable to the candidate's certification.

(d)

This section does not prohibit the board from proposing

rules that provide for certifications other than the certifications

described by Subsection (a), including specialized certifications

and other types and classes of certifications.

Sec.

21.04421.

TRADITIONAL TEACHER PREPARATION. (a)

In

proposing rules under this subchapter regarding training

requirements for a candidate seeking certification through a

traditional teacher preparation route in which a candidate may

concurrently receive an undergraduate or master's degree and a

certification to teach a subject area at a particular grade level,

the board shall require the candidate to complete substantial

preservice practice in a prekindergarten through grade 12 classroom

that:

(1)

is provided through a formal partnership entered

into between the candidate's educator preparation program and a

school district or open-enrollment charter school; and

(2)

includes practicing the skills learned from the

instruction described by Sections 21.0443(b)(3) and (4).

(b)

The rules proposed under Subsection (a) must require

training to be provided synchronously.

The board may approve

components of the training to be delivered asynchronously on

application by an educator preparation program.

Sec.

21.04422.

TEACHER RESIDENCY PREPARATION. (a)

The

board shall propose rules under this subchapter to create a teacher

residency preparation route.

(b)

In proposing rules for a teacher residency preparation

route under this section, the board must require that the program:

(1)

use research-based best practices for recruiting

and admitting candidates into the program;

(2)

integrate course work, classroom practice, formal

observation, and feedback;

(3)

meet the traditional teacher preparation

requirements under Section 21.04421;

(4)

require a candidate to receive preservice

practice, including practice in the skills learned from the

instruction described by Sections 21.0443(b)(3) and (4), in a

prekindergarten through grade 12 classroom for at least one full

school year; and

(5)

use multiple assessments to measure a candidate's

progress.

Sec.

21.04423.

ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION. In

proposing rules under this subchapter regarding training

requirements for a candidate who has previously earned a degree and

is seeking certification through an alternative teacher

preparation route, the board shall establish:

(1)

a preservice alternative teacher preparation

route that:

(A)

meets the traditional teacher preparation

requirements under Section 21.04421; and

(B)

includes a candidate's time spent serving as

a paraprofessional toward the candidate's preservice practice

requirements; and

(2)

an alternative teacher preparation route that

allows for flexibility in how a candidate may demonstrate

proficiency for certification.

SECTION 7. Section 21.0443, Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 21.0443. EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM APPROVAL AND

RENEWAL. (a) The board shall propose rules to establish standards

to govern the approval or renewal of approval of:

(1) educator preparation programs; [
and
]

(2)
the teacher preparation routes established under

Sections 21.04421, 21.04422, and 21.04423; and

(3)
certification fields authorized to be offered by

an educator preparation program.

(a-1)

The board may review an educator preparation

program's curriculum:

(1)

before the approval or renewal of approval of the

program; and

(2)

at any time after the approval or renewal of the

approval of the program to ensure the program remains eligible for

approval by demonstrating that any changes to curriculum

requirements proposed by the board since the most recent review

have been incorporated into the curriculum.

(b) To be eligible for approval or renewal of approval, an

educator preparation program must:

(1) incorporate proactive instructional planning

techniques throughout course work and across content areas using a

framework that:

(A) provides flexibility in the ways:

(i) information is presented;

(ii) students respond or demonstrate

knowledge and skills; and

(iii) students are engaged;

(B) reduces barriers in instruction;

(C) provides appropriate accommodations,

supports, and challenges; and

(D) maintains high achievement expectations for

all students, including students with disabilities and students of

limited English proficiency;

(2) integrate inclusive practices for all students,

including students with disabilities, and evidence-based

instruction and intervention strategies throughout course work,

clinical experience, and student teaching;

(3)
incorporate the instructional materials and

training developed under Section 21.067;

(4)

if applicable and approved by the agency for the

grade and subject area for which the program provides instruction,

incorporate the literacy achievement academies and mathematics

achievement academies under Sections 21.4552 and 21.4553;

(5)

ensure that instruction described by Subdivisions

(3) and (4) is delivered by a person approved by the agency to

provide the instruction;

(6)

ensure that the program and the program's

administrators, instructors, and other employees comply with

Section 28.0022 as if:

(A) the program were a school district;

(B)

the program's administrators, instructors,

and other employees are administrators, teachers, or other

employees of a school district, as applicable; and

(C)

candidates in the program were students of a

school district;

(7)
adequately prepare candidates for educator

certification; and

(8)
[
(4)
] meet the standards and requirements of the

board.

(b-1)

The board by rule shall designate the components of a

literacy achievement academy or mathematics achievement academy

under Section 21.4552 or 21.4553, as applicable, that may be

completed after receiving an intern with preservice experience

certificate under Section 21.0412.

(c) The board shall require that each educator preparation

program be reviewed for renewal of approval at least every five

years.
The board may require each educator preparation program to

be reviewed for renewal of approval at least annually.
The board

shall adopt an evaluation process to be used in reviewing an

educator preparation program for renewal of approval.

(d)

In adopting the evaluation process under Subsection

(c), the board shall consider including:

(1)

quality indicators that reflect effective program

practices; and

(2)

measures that provide for the observation of

program practices to ensure program quality.

SECTION 8. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 21.0456 to read as follows:

Sec.

21.0456.

SANCTIONS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE. (a) The board

may impose a sanction against an educator preparation program for

noncompliance with a provision of this subchapter or a rule adopted

under this subchapter, including a rule proposed under Section

21.0443, or to address a complaint received under Section 21.0455.

A sanction under this subsection may be one or more of the actions

described by Section 21.0451(a)(2), regardless of whether a program

has been rated as accredited-probation under the Accountability

System for Educator Preparation for a period of at least one year.

(b)

Any action authorized to be taken against an educator

preparation program under Subsection (a) may also be taken with

regard to a particular route or field of certification authorized

to be offered by an educator preparation program.

(c)

A revocation must be effective for a period of at least

two years. After two years, the program may seek renewed approval to

prepare educators for state certification.

(d)

The costs of technical assistance or the costs

associated with the appointment of a monitor shall be paid by the

educator preparation program.

SECTION 9. Section 21.049, Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 21.049. ALTERNATIVE
EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS

[
CERTIFICATION
]. (a) To provide a continuing additional source of

qualified educators, the board shall propose rules providing
that

[
for
] educator certification programs
may be provided by an

institution of higher education or another entity
[
as an

alternative to traditional educator preparation programs
]. The

rules may not provide that a person may be certified under this

section only if there is a demonstrated shortage of educators in a

school district or subject area.

(b) The board may not require a person employed as a teacher

in an alternative education program under Section 37.008 or a

juvenile justice alternative education program under Section

37.011 for at least three years to complete an alternative educator

preparation
[
certification
] program adopted under this section

before taking the appropriate certification examination.

SECTION 10. Section 21.057, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:

(f)

If the agency has developed a model notice for purposes

of this section, the superintendent must use that model to provide

the notice required under this section.

(g)

A notice provided under this section, including a notice

provided in accordance with Subsection (e), must include

information regarding eligibility to participate in the public

education grant program under Section 29.202.

SECTION 11. Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 21.067 to read as follows:

Sec.

21.067.

EDUCATOR PREPARATION MATERIALS AND TRAINING.

(a)

The commissioner shall develop and make available:

(1)

instructional materials for use in educator

preparation programs under this subchapter; and

(2)

training for faculty responsible for preparing

educator candidates.

(b)

The materials and training developed under Subsection

(a) must:

(1) be research-based;

(2)

support the development of proficiency in the

knowledge and skills specified by rules proposed under Section

21.044(a)(1); and

(3)

allow for an educator candidate to demonstrate the

candidate's proficiency, including proficiency in the knowledge

and skills described by Subdivision (2).

(c)

The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to

implement this section.

SECTION 12. Section 21.402, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsections (f-1), (f-2), (f-3), and (f-4) to read as

follows:

(f-1)

A school district must pay to a classroom teacher with

zero years of experience who holds a certificate under Section

21.0412(a)(1), (2), or (3) a minimum salary that is greater than the

minimum salary paid to a classroom teacher with zero years of

experience who does not hold a certificate under Section

21.0412(a)(1), (2), or (3).

(f-2)

The board of trustees of a school district may adopt

minimum salaries to satisfy the requirements of Subsection (f-1) as

follows:

(1)

for a classroom teacher who holds a standard

certificate or intern with preservice experience certificate under

Section 21.0412(a)(1) or (3), $3,000; and

(2)

for a classroom teacher who holds a residency

standard certificate under Section 21.0412(a)(2), $6,000.

(f-3)

Subsection (f-1) does not apply to a stipend or other

form of compensation not included in a classroom teacher's minimum

salary under this section.

(f-4)

A school district may not adopt a salary schedule that

differentiates classroom teacher salaries based solely on a

teacher's certification pathway for teachers who have five or more

years of teaching experience.

SECTION 13. Section 21.4552(f), Education Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(f)
From money appropriated or otherwise available for the

purpose, including an allotment under Section 48.108, a school

district shall provide to an educator preparation program for each

teacher enrolled in the educator preparation program who holds an

intern with preservice experience certificate under Section

21.0412(a)(3) and completes a literacy achievement academy under

this section while employed by the district a one-time payment of

$1,000 or another amount set by the agency
[
This section expires

September 1, 2027
].

SECTION 14. Section 21.4553(f), Education Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(f)
From money appropriated or otherwise available for the

purpose, including an allotment under Section 48.108, a school

district shall provide to an educator preparation program for each

teacher enrolled in the educator preparation program who holds an

intern with preservice experience certificate under Section

21.0412(a)(3) and completes a mathematics achievement academy

under this section while employed by the district a one-time

payment of $500 or another amount set by the agency
[
This section

expires September 1, 2027
].

SECTION 15. Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter R to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER R. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS

Sec. 21.901. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1)

"Alternative partnership preservice program"

means the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership

Alternative Preservice Program established under Section 21.905.

(2)

"Board" means the State Board for Educator

Certification.

(3)

"Cooperating teacher" means a classroom teacher

who:

(A)

has at least three full school years of

teaching experience with a superior record of assisting students in

achieving improvement in student performance;

(B)

is employed as a teacher of record by a school

district or open-enrollment charter school participating in a

partnership preservice program or grow your own partnership program

under this subchapter and paired with a teacher candidate, student,

or employee who is participating in a program under this

subchapter; and

(C)

provides coaching in the teacher's classroom

to a teacher candidate, student, or employee participating in a

program under this subchapter.

(4)

"Grow your own partnership program" means the

Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Grow Your Own

Partnership Program established under Section 21.906.

(5)

"Mentor teacher" means a mentor teacher as

described by Section 21.458.

(6)

"Partnership preservice program" means a

Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Preservice

Program established under Section 21.902.

(7)

"Residency partnership preservice program" means

the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership

Residency Preservice Program established under Section 21.904.

(8)

"Teacher candidate" means a person enrolled in an

educator preparation program participating in a partnership

preservice program.

(9)

"Traditional partnership preservice program"

means the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership

Traditional Preservice Program established under Section 21.903.

Sec.

21.902.

PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP PRESERVICE PROGRAMS. (a) The commissioner shall

establish Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership

Preservice Programs to enable qualified educator preparation

programs, as determined by the commissioner, to form partnerships

with school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to

provide preservice practice opportunities in a prekindergarten

through grade 12 classroom for teacher candidates at the district

or school through the traditional partnership preservice program,

the residency partnership preservice program, or the alternative

partnership preservice program.

(b) A partnership preservice program must be designed to:

(1)

allow teacher candidates to receive field-based

experience working with cooperating teachers in prekindergarten

through grade 12 classrooms; and

(2)

gradually increase the amount of time a teacher

candidate spends engaging in instructional responsibilities,

including observation, co-teaching, and lead-teaching

responsibilities.

(c)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school

participating in a partnership preservice program shall:

(1)

enter into a written agreement with an approved

educator preparation program to:

(A)

provide a teacher candidate with clinical

teaching opportunities at the district or school in the subject

area and grade level for which the candidate seeks certification;

and

(B)

pair the teacher candidate with a cooperating

teacher who has successfully completed a training program for

cooperating teachers that, if required by the agency, must be

established or adopted by the agency;

(2)

use money received under Section 48.157 only to

implement the partnership preservice program;

(3)

ensure that a teacher candidate is mentored by a

mentor teacher who has completed mentorship training under Section

21.907 for the candidate's first two years as a teacher of record

after completing a partnership preservice program; and

(4)

provide any information required by the agency

regarding the district's or school's implementation of a

partnership preservice program.

(d)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school may

only pair a teacher candidate with a cooperating teacher who agrees

to participate in that role in a partnership preservice program at

the district or school.

(e)

A teacher candidate participating in a partnership

preservice program may not serve:

(1) as a teacher of record; or

(2)

except as provided by Subsection (f), in a

position in which the student or employee has the primary or sole

responsibility of providing instruction or supervision to

students.

(f)

A teacher candidate participating in a partnership

preservice program may serve in a position described by Subsection

(e)(2) for the limited purpose of gaining experience in the

position.

The teacher candidate's amount of time serving in that

position may not exceed the amount of time during which the teacher

of record for the students has the primary or sole responsibility of

providing instruction or supervision to those students.

Sec.

21.903.

PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP TRADITIONAL PRESERVICE PROGRAM. (a)

The commissioner

shall establish the Preparing and Retaining Educators through

Partnership Traditional Preservice Program as a partnership

preservice program to enable qualified educator preparation

programs, as determined by the commissioner, that meet the

traditional teacher preparation requirements under Section

21.04421 to form partnerships with school districts or

open-enrollment charter schools to help prepare candidates for a

standard certificate.

(b) The program must be designed to:

(1)

meet the requirements of a partnership preservice

program under Section 21.902; and

(2)

allow a teacher candidate to satisfy the

traditional teacher preparation requirements under Section

21.04421.

(c)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school

participating in the traditional partnership preservice program

shall use money received under Section 48.157(b)(1) to provide

compensation to:

(1)

teacher candidates for preservice practice hours

at the district or school in an amount of at least $3,000 for

salary; and

(2)

cooperating teachers who are paired with teacher

candidates at the district or school in an amount of at least

$1,000.

(d)

In addition to the amount provided by Subsection (c)(1),

a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall provide

compensation to teacher candidates in any amount above the amount

provided by that subdivision for salary using money received under

Section 48.157 or from any other available source.

Sec.

21.904.

PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP RESIDENCY PRESERVICE PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner

shall establish the Preparing and Retaining Educators through

Partnership Residency Preservice Program as a partnership

preservice program to enable qualified educator preparation

programs, as determined by the commissioner, that meet the teacher

residency preparation requirements under Section 21.04422 to form

partnerships with school districts or open-enrollment charter

schools to help prepare candidates for a residency standard

certificate.

(b) The program must be designed to:

(1)

meet the requirements of a partnership preservice

program under Section 21.902; and

(2)

allow a teacher candidate to satisfy the teacher

residency preparation requirements under Section 21.04422.

(c)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school

participating in the residency partnership preservice program

shall use money received under Section 48.157(b)(2) to provide

compensation to:

(1)

teacher candidates for preservice practice hours

at the district or school in an amount of at least $10,000 for

salary; and

(2)

cooperating teachers who are paired with teacher

candidates at the district or school in an amount of at least

$2,000.

(d)

In addition to the amount provided by Subsection (c)(1),

a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall provide

compensation to teacher candidates in an amount of at least $10,000

for salary using money received under Section 48.157 or from any

other available source.

(e)

For the 2025-2026 school year, an educator preparation

program is not required to incorporate the instruction described by

Sections 21.0443(b)(3) and (4) to be eligible to participate in a

residency partnership preservice program. This subsection expires

September 1, 2026.

Sec.

21.905.

PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP ALTERNATIVE PRESERVICE PROGRAM. (a)

The commissioner

shall establish the Preparing and Retaining Educators through

Partnership Alternative Preservice Program as a partnership

preservice program to enable qualified educator preparation

programs, as determined by the commissioner, that meet the

preservice alternative teacher preparation requirements under

Section 21.04423 to form partnerships with school districts or

open-enrollment charter schools to help prepare candidates for an

intern with preservice experience certificate or standard

certificate.

(b) The program must be designed to:

(1)

meet the requirements of a partnership preservice

program under Section 21.902; and

(2)

allow a teacher candidate to satisfy the

preservice alternative teacher preparation requirements under

Section 21.04423(1).

(c)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school

participating in the alternative partnership preservice program

shall use money received under Section 48.157(b)(3) to provide

compensation to:

(1)

teacher candidates for preservice practice hours

at the district or school in an amount of at least $3,000 for

salary; and

(2)

cooperating teachers who are paired with teacher

candidates at the district or school in an amount of at least

$1,000.

(d)

In addition to the amount provided by Subsection (c)(1),

a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall provide

compensation to teacher candidates in any amount above the amount

provided by that subdivision for salary using money received under

Section 48.157 or from any other available source.

Sec.

21.906.

PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP GROW YOUR OWN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM. (a) The

commissioner shall establish the Preparing and Retaining Educators

through Partnership Grow Your Own Partnership Program to enable

qualified institutions of higher education and educator

preparation programs, as determined by the commissioner, to form

partnerships with school districts or open-enrollment charter

schools to establish innovative staffing pipelines to ensure the

availability of high-quality classroom teachers to benefit future

district or school students.

(b)

The grow your own partnership program must be designed

to form partnerships that support:

(1)

high school students in completing career and

technical education courses that help prepare the students to

become classroom teachers; or

(2)

district or school employees who do not hold a

teaching certificate in completing a bachelor's degree to enable

the person to become a classroom teacher while employed by the

district or school.

(c)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school may

participate in a grow your own partnership program only if the

district or school has been approved to participate in a

partnership preservice program.

(d)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school

participating in the grow your own partnership program shall:

(1)

for a partnership described by Subsection (b)(1),

provide:

(A)

authentic opportunities, which may be paid or

unpaid, for students to practice teaching under the supervision of

a cooperating teacher; and

(B)

guidance and other transition supports as a

student begins an undergraduate degree program that offers a route

to teacher preparation;

(2)

for a partnership described by Subsection (b)(2),

provide for a district or school employee:

(A)

scheduled release time to support the

completion of a bachelor's degree;

(B)

authentic opportunities to practice teaching

under the supervision of a cooperating teacher;

(C)

on-the-job training aligned with the

standards for educator certification established by the board;

(D)

a job assignment that includes instructional

support for students enrolled in the district or school; and

(E)

guidance and other transition supports as the

employee begins a program to satisfy the teacher preparation

requirements under Section 21.04421, 21.04422, or 21.04423;

(3)

enter into a written agreement with an institution

of higher education or educator preparation program;

(4)

require an employee participating in a partnership

described by Subsection (b)(2) to, as a condition for

participation, earn a bachelor's degree and enroll in an educator

preparation program within three years of beginning participation

in the partnership; and

(5)

provide any information required by the agency

regarding the district's or school's implementation of the grow

your own partnership program.

(e)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school may

use money received under Section 48.157 to implement the grow your

own partnership program and pay tuition and fees for students or

employees participating in the program.

(f)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school may

only pair a student or employee participating in the program with a

cooperating teacher who agrees to participate in that role in a grow

your own partnership program at the district or school.

(g)

A student or employee participating in the program may

not serve:

(1) as a teacher of record; or

(2)

except as provided by Subsection (h), in a

position in which the student or employee has the primary or sole

responsibility of providing instruction or supervision to

students.

(h)

A student or employee participating in the program may

serve in a position described by Subsection (g)(2) for the limited

purpose of gaining experience in the position.

The student's or

employee's amount of time serving in that position may not exceed

the amount of time during which the teacher of record for the

students has the primary or sole responsibility of providing

instruction or supervision to those students.

Sec.

21.907.

PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall

establish a preparing and retaining educators through partnership

mentorship program through which participating school districts or

open-enrollment charter schools implement a mentoring program that

meets the requirements of Section 21.458 for classroom teachers who

have less than two years of teaching experience.

(b)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school

participating in the program must require a classroom teacher who

serves as a mentor teacher to annually complete a training program

for mentor teachers established or adopted by the agency.

(c)

A school district or open-enrollment charter school

shall use money received under Section 48.157(b)(5) to provide

stipends for mentor teachers in an amount of at least $1,000.

(d)

If any money remains after providing a stipend to mentor

teachers in accordance with Subsection (c), the district may use

that money to provide:

(1)

scheduled release time for mentor teachers and

classroom teachers being mentored to meet and engage in mentoring

activities; and

(2)

support for mentor teachers through mentor

training and strategic staffing training.

Sec.

21.908.

AGENCY SUPPORT. The agency shall provide

technical assistance, planning, and support to school districts,

open-enrollment charter schools, and educator preparation

programs, which must include:

(1)

providing model forms and agreements a district,

school, or educator preparation program may use to comply with the

requirements of this subchapter;

(2)

support for district and school strategic staffing

and compensation models to incentivize participation in a

partnership program;

(3)

support for district, school, and educator

preparation program partners in implementing strong partnership

practices, including through participation in the grow your own

partnership program, and providing high-quality mentorship as

required under this subchapter; and

(4)

support for educator preparation programs in

implementing the partnership programs under this subchapter.

Sec.

21.909.

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND PERFORMANCE GOALS.

(a)

The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing:

(1)

standards for partnership programs established

under this subchapter, including eligibility criteria for educator

preparation programs and institutions of higher education to

participate in the partnership programs; and

(2)

performance goals for partnership programs

established under this subchapter.

(b)

The commissioner shall periodically review the

performance of each partnership program established under this

subchapter to ensure the program meets the standards and

performance goals established under Subsection (a).

(c)

If, in reviewing a partnership program under Subsection

(b), the commissioner determines that the program has failed to

meet a performance goal established under Subsection (a), the

commissioner shall prohibit the entity that failed to meet the

performance goal from participating in a partnership program under

this subchapter for a period not to exceed five years.

Sec.

21.910.

AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT CERTAIN MONEY. The

commissioner may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations

from public and private entities to use for the purposes of this

subchapter.

Sec.

21.911.

RULES. The commissioner shall adopt rules as

necessary to implement this subchapter.

SECTION 16. Section 29.202(a), Education Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(a) A student is eligible to receive a public education

grant or to attend another public school in the district in which

the student resides under this subchapter if the student is

assigned to
:

(1)
attend a public school campus assigned an

unacceptable performance rating that is made publicly available

under Section 39.054
; or

(2)

a classroom teacher or substitute teacher who does

not hold a certification required under Subchapter B, Chapter 21,

as a teacher of record in a course in the foundation curriculum

under Section 28.002(a)(1) for more than 30 instructional days
.

SECTION 17. Section 29.204, Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 29.204. NOTIFICATION. (a) Not later than January 1

of each year the commissioner shall, based on the most recent

information available, provide notice to each school district in

which a campus described by Section
29.202(a)(1)
[
29.202
] is

located that:

(1) identifies each campus in the district that meets

the description in Section
29.202(a)(1)
[
29.202
]; and

(2) informs the district that the district must comply

with Subsection (b).

(b) Not later than February 1 of each year, a school

district shall notify the parent of each student in the district

assigned to attend a campus described by Section
29.202(a)(1)

[
29.202
] that the student is eligible for a public education grant.

The notice must contain a clear, concise explanation of the public

education grant program and of the manner in which the parent may

obtain further information about the program.

SECTION 18. Subchapter D, Chapter 48, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 48.157 to read as follows:

Sec.

48.157.

PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ALLOTMENT. (a) In this section, "teacher

candidate" has the meaning assigned by Section 21.901.

(b)

Subject to Subsections (f) and (g), a school district is

entitled to an annual allotment equal to each of the following

applicable amounts:

(1)

for each teacher candidate completing preservice

practice hours at the district under Section 21.903, the sum of:

(A) $10,000; and

(B)

the high needs and rural factor, as

determined under Subsection (c), multiplied by $2,000;

(2)

for each teacher candidate completing preservice

practice hours at the district under Section 21.904, the sum of:

(A) $24,000; and

(B)

the high needs and rural factor, as

determined under Subsection (c), multiplied by $3,000;

(3)

for each teacher candidate completing preservice

practice hours at the district under Section 21.905, the sum of:

(A) $10,000; and

(B)

the high needs and rural factor, as

determined under Subsection (c), multiplied by $2,000;

(4)

for each district employee participating in a

partnership described by Section 21.906(b)(2), the sum of:

(A) $8,000; and

(B)

the high needs and rural factor, as

determined under Subsection (c), multiplied by $1,000; and

(5)

for each classroom teacher being mentored under

the preparing and retaining educators through partnership

mentorship program established under Section 21.907, $3,000.

(c) The high needs and rural factor is the lesser of:

(1)

the average of the point value assigned to each

student at a district campus under Sections 48.112(e) and (f); or

(2) 4.0.

(d)

In addition to the funding under Subsection (b), a

district is entitled to an additional $2,000 for each teacher

candidate described by Subsection (b)(1), (2), or (3) who is a

candidate for certification in bilingual education or special

education.

(e)

The Texas School for the Deaf and the Texas School for

the Blind and Visually Impaired are entitled to an allotment under

this section. If the commissioner determines that assigning point

values under Subsection (c) to students enrolled in the Texas

School for the Deaf or the Texas School for the Blind and Visually

Impaired is impractical, the commissioner may use the average point

value assigned for those students' home districts for purposes of

calculating the high needs and rural factor.

(f)

Unless a greater number of individuals is provided for

by appropriation for that school year, a school district may

receive an allotment for a school year for not more than:

(1)

except as provided by Subsection (g), 40

individuals under each of Subsections (b)(2), (4), and (5); and

(2)

a total of 80 individuals under Subsections (b)(1)

and (3).

(g)

If more than 40 individuals are eligible to receive an

allotment under Subsection (b)(2) for a school district, the

district is entitled to an allotment under Subsection (b)(1) for

those individuals, subject to the limitation under Subsection

(f)(2).

(h)

For purposes of offsetting tuition, fees, and

administrative costs, using money to which a school district is

otherwise entitled under Subsection (b), the commissioner shall

provide to a teacher candidate's educator preparation program each

of the following applicable amounts and reduce the district's

allotment under that subsection accordingly:

(1)

$5,000 for each teacher candidate who completed a

partnership program under Section 21.903 who obtains a standard

certificate and has completed one year of employment with the

district;

(2)

$10,000 for each teacher candidate who completed a

partnership program under Section 21.904 who obtains a residency

standard certificate and has completed one year of employment with

the district; and

(3)

$2,500 for each teacher candidate participating in

the alternative partnership preservice program under Section

21.905 who holds an intern with preservice experience certificate

or intern certificate, and an additional $2,500 for each teacher

candidate who completes the alternative partnership preservice

program and obtains a standard certificate under Section 21.0412.

(i)

An institution of higher education that operates an

educator preparation program that receives money under Subsection

(h) must spend not less than 85 percent of the money received on the

educator preparation program for which the money was received.

(j) The agency shall provide:

(1)

$4,000 of the money the school district is

entitled to receive under Subsection (b)(1) for a teacher candidate

only on the teacher candidate's successful completion of the

requirements of a partnership program under Section 21.903 by the

deadline established by the agency;

(2)

$12,000 of the money the school district is

entitled to receive under Subsection (b)(2) for a teacher candidate

only on the teacher candidate's successful completion of the

requirements of a partnership program under Section 21.904 by the

deadline established by the agency;

(3)

$4,000 of the money the school district is

entitled to receive under Subsection (b)(3) for a teacher candidate

only on the teacher candidate's successful completion of the

requirements of a partnership program under Section 21.905 by the

deadline established by the agency and issuance of an intern with

preservice experience certificate; and

(4)

50 percent of the money the school district is

entitled to receive under Subsection (b)(4) for a district employee

only on the employee's successful completion of a bachelor's degree

by the deadline established by the agency.

SECTION 19. Subchapter G, Chapter 48, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 48.310 to read as follows:

Sec.

48.310.

ALLOTMENT FOR COMPLETION OF TEACHER LITERACY

OR MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMIES. An educator preparation

program that offers a teacher preparation route described by

Section 21.04421, 21.04422, or 21.04423(1) is entitled to an annual

allotment for each teacher candidate who completes a literacy

achievement academy or mathematics achievement academy under

Section 21.4552 or 21.4553 approved by the agency for the purpose in

the amount of:

(1)

$1,000, or a greater amount set by appropriation

for that school year, for the completion of a literacy achievement

academy; or

(2)

$500, or a greater amount set by appropriation for

that school year, for the completion of a mathematics achievement

academy.

SECTION 20. (a) The following provisions of the Education

Code are repealed:

(1) Section 21.051(a);

(2) Subchapter Q, Chapter 21; and

(3) Section 48.114.

(b) Section 825.4092(f), Government Code, is repealed.

SECTION 21. Section 12A.004(a), Education Code, as amended

by this Act, applies to each local innovation plan adopted under

Chapter 12A, Education Code, regardless of whether the plan was

adopted before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. A local

innovation plan adopted or renewed before the effective date of

this Act must comply with Section 12A.004(a), Education Code, as

amended by this Act, not later than September 1, 2026.

SECTION 22. This Act does not make an appropriation. A

provision of this Act that creates a new governmental program or new

entitlement or imposes a new duty on a governmental entity is not

mandatory during a fiscal period for which the legislature has not

made a specific appropriation to implement the provision.

SECTION 23. (a) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection

(b) of this section, this Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

(b) Section 21.0032, Education Code, as added by this Act,

and Section 21.402, Education Code, as amended by this Act, apply

beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

SECTION 24. (a) Sections 48.157 and 48.310, Education

Code, as added by this Act, take effect September 1, 2025.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (a) of this section,

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, 2025.