HBA-JLV H.B. 1130 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1130
By: Rangel
Higher Education
7/18/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In response to a growing shortage of certified teachers, the 75th
Legislature created the Educational Aide Exemption Program to fund tuition
exemptions for educational aides who attend college to become certified
teachers.  Certain eligibility criteria restricts the number of teacher
aides who can qualify for an exemption under this program.  House Bill 1130
removes certain provisions of the Educational Aide Exemption Program to
expand the number of teacher aides who are eligible to receive an
exemption, and adds certain additional provisions to the program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1130 amends the Education Code to provide that, in order for an
institution of higher education (institution) to exempt a person from the
payment of tuition and fees, the person must be a school employee serving
in any capacity who has worked as an educational aide for at least one
school year during the five years preceding the term or semester for which
the person receives the exemption.  The bill removes eligibility
requirements relating to the certification and experience of the person.
The bill requires the board of trustees of a school district (board) to
establish a plan to encourage the hiring of educational aides from the
local community who show a willingness to become certified teachers.  The
bill also requires the governing board of an institution of higher
education (governing board) that offers courses required for teacher
certification to establish a plan to make those courses more accessible to
those who seek teacher certification.  

The bill provides that any person who receives a bachelor's degree required
for a teaching certificate while receiving an exemption may not be required
to participate in any student teaching to receive a teaching certificate. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

May 14, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the fall semester 2001.