HBA-MPM S.B. 998 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 998
By: Madla
Public Education
5/6/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Alternative education programs (AEPs) are provided at another setting for
students who have been removed from regular classrooms for discipline
problems.  A teacher in an AEP is not required to be certified by the State
Board for Educator Certification.  Individuals who teach classes in
alternative education programs must be effective in student discipline,
class management, students' learning disabilities, and other special needs.
Because of the complexity of the teaching environment, there is a high
teacher turnover rate in such programs that may inhibit students from
excelling.  Providing incentives might encourage and reward teachers to
work in alternative education programs for a longer period of time and help
ensure the continuum of education currently received by students.  Senate
Bill 998 allows an uncertified teacher who has worked in an alternative
education program for three years or more to take the alternative teacher
certification test without completing the alternative certification
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

Senate Bill 998 amends the Education Code to prohibit the State Board for
Educator Certification from requiring a person employed for at least three
years as a teacher in an alternative education program or juvenile justice
alternative education program to complete an alternative educator
certification program before taking the appropriate certification
examination.  The bill specifies that a person's employment in such
capacities before the 2001-2002 school year is not included in determining
whether the person meets the requirements of the bill. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.