84R5673 MEW-F
	By: Dutton	H.B. No. 1763

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Education
	Agency and to the abolition of the State Board for Educator
	Certification and the transfer of its functions to the Texas
	Education Agency; providing for the ad valorem tax rate to be
	imposed after annexation of an insolvent or inoperative school
	district.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 7.004, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 7.004.  SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Education Agency
	is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act).
	Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the
	agency is abolished September 1, 2027 [2015].
	SECTION 2.  Section 7.021(a), Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(a)  The agency shall:
	(1)  distribute state and federal funding to public
	schools and ensure the proper use of those funds;
	(2)  monitor public schools for compliance with state
	and federal guidelines, subject to the limitations in Section
	7.028;
	(3)  administer the statewide standardized testing
	program and accountability systems;
	(4)  provide assistance to and impose interventions and
	sanctions on public schools that consistently fail to meet state or
	federal accountability standards;
	(5)  provide support to the board in developing
	statewide curriculum standards, adopting instructional materials,
	managing the instructional materials allotment and distribution
	process, and carrying out duties related to the permanent school
	fund;
	(6)  collect, analyze, and make accessible a wide array
	of educational and financial data from public schools;
	(7)  ensure the quality of public school educators by
	certifying educators, regulating educator preparation programs,
	and taking enforcement action in cases of educator misconduct; and
	(8)  carry out any other duties imposed on the agency by
	the legislature consistent with the agency's appropriations and
	mission [perform the educational functions provided by Subsection
	(b)].
	SECTION 3.  Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 7.0235 to read as follows:
	Sec. 7.0235.  RESTRICTIONS ON AGENCY EMPLOYMENT. (a)  In
	this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and
	voluntarily joined statewide association of business or
	professional competitors in this state designed to assist its
	members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual
	business or professional problems and in promoting their common
	interest.
	(b)  A person may not be an agency employee employed in a
	"bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity,"
	as that phrase is used for purposes of establishing an exemption to
	the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of
	1938 (29 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.), if:
	(1)  the person is an officer, employee, or paid
	consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of elementary
	or secondary education; or
	(2)  the person's spouse is an officer, manager, or paid
	consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of elementary
	or secondary education.
	(c)  A person may not act as the general counsel to the
	commissioner or the agency if the person is required to register as
	a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the
	person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession
	related to the operation of the agency.
	SECTION 4.  Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Sections 7.034, 7.035, and 7.036 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 7.034.  PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT POLICY. The agency shall
	develop and implement a policy regarding public involvement with
	the agency. The policy must:
	(1)  describe how the agency will proactively engage
	stakeholders;
	(2)  distinguish the purposes and appropriate uses of
	advisory committees and informal work groups, including by
	specifying that an informal work group:
	(A)  is not subject to Chapter 2110, Government
	Code; and
	(B)  must have a well-defined purpose and follow
	specific timelines for completing tasks;
	(3)  identify actions the agency will take that exceed
	the minimum open meetings requirements under Chapter 551,
	Government Code;
	(4)  include a strategy for providing updated
	information regarding advisory committees and issues of concern to
	stakeholders through the agency's Internet website; and
	(5)  describe how public input will affect agency
	decisions, including by providing information regarding the
	specific outcomes for all types of public input.
	Sec. 7.035.  COMPLAINTS. (a) The agency shall maintain a
	system to promptly and efficiently act on complaints filed with the
	agency.  The agency shall maintain information about parties to the
	complaint, the subject matter of the complaint, a summary of the
	results of the review or investigation of the complaint, and its
	disposition.
	(b)  The agency shall make information available describing
	its procedures for complaint investigation and resolution.
	(c)  The agency shall periodically notify the complaint
	parties of the status of the complaint until final disposition.
	Sec. 7.036.  NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING; ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE
	RESOLUTION. (a) The agency shall develop a policy to encourage the
	use of:
	(1)  negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter
	2008, Government Code, for the adoption of agency rules; and
	(2)  appropriate alternative dispute resolution
	procedures under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the
	resolution of internal and external disputes under the agency's
	jurisdiction.
	(b)  The agency's procedures relating to alternative dispute
	resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any model
	guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative Hearings
	for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state agencies.
	(c)  The agency shall:
	(1)  coordinate the implementation of the policy
	adopted under Subsection (a);
	(2)  provide training as needed to implement the
	procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative dispute
	resolution; and
	(3)  collect data concerning the effectiveness of those
	procedures.
	SECTION 5.  Section 7.055(a), Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioner shall:
	(1)  serve as the educational leader of the state;
	(2)  serve as executive officer of the agency, with
	authority to:
	(A)  employ division heads and any other employees
	and clerks necessary to perform the duties of the agency;
	(B)  delegate ministerial and executive functions
	to agency staff;
	(C)  appoint advisory committees, in accordance
	with Chapter 2110, Government Code, as necessary to advise the
	commissioner in carrying out the duties and mission of the agency;
	and
	(D)  appoint an internal auditor for the agency;
	and
	(3)  carry out the duties imposed on the commissioner
	by the legislature [has the powers and duties provided by
	Subsection (b)].
	SECTION 6.  Section 7.055(b)(9), Education Code, is
	transferred to Subchapter A, Chapter 7, Education Code,
	redesignated as Section 7.011, Education Code, and amended to read
	as follows:
	Sec. 7.011.  TEXAS SCHOOL LAW BULLETIN.  [(9)]  The
	commissioner shall have a bulletin [manual] published at least once
	every two years that contains Title 1 and this title, any other
	provisions of this code relating specifically to public primary or
	secondary education, and an appendix of all other state laws
	relating to public primary or secondary education.  The
	commissioner [and] shall provide for the distribution of the
	bulletin [manual] as determined by the board.
	SECTION 7.  Section 7.055(b)(40), Education Code, is
	transferred to Subchapter A, Chapter 21, Education Code,
	redesignated as Section 21.011, Education Code, and amended to read
	as follows:
	Sec. 21.011.  SUSPENSION RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
	OR STRIKES. [(40)]  The commissioner shall suspend the certificate
	of an educator or permit of a teacher who violates Chapter 617,
	Government Code.
	SECTION 8.  Subchapter C, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 7.066 to read as follows:
	Sec. 7.066.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE RULES. (a)  The
	commissioner shall adopt rules, in compliance with Chapter 2110,
	Government Code, regarding an advisory committee that primarily
	functions to advise the commissioner or the agency, including rules
	governing an advisory committee's purpose, tasks, reporting
	requirements, and abolishment date.
	(b)  The commissioner may adopt rules under this section
	regarding an advisory committee's:
	(1)  size and quorum requirements;
	(2)  qualifications for membership, including
	experience requirements and geographic representation;
	(3)  appointment procedures;
	(4)  terms of service; and
	(5)  compliance with the requirements for open meetings
	under Chapter 551, Government Code.
	SECTION 9.  Section 12.1014(f), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(f)  The commissioner [and the State Board for Educator
	Certification] shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this
	section.
	SECTION 10.  Section 12.107(b), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  A charter holder shall deliver to the agency a copy of a
	direct deposit form that identifies [the depository contract
	between the charter holder and] any bank into which state funds are
	deposited.
	SECTION 11.  Section 12.118, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 12.118.  EVALUATION OF OPEN-ENROLLMENT CHARTER
	SCHOOLS. (a) The commissioner shall designate an impartial
	organization with experience in evaluating school choice programs
	to conduct an [annual] evaluation of open-enrollment charter
	schools once every four years.
	(b)  An evaluation under this section must include an
	evaluation of cost, performance, or [consideration of the following
	items before implementing the charter and after implementing the
	charter:
	[(1)     students' scores on assessment instruments
	administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39;
	[(2)  student attendance;
	[(3)  students' grades;
	[(4)  incidents involving student discipline;
	[(5)  socioeconomic data on students' families;
	[(6)     parents' satisfaction with their children's
	schools; and
	[(7)  students' satisfaction with their schools.
	[(c)     The evaluation of open-enrollment charter schools must
	also include an evaluation of:
	[(1)     the costs of instruction, administration, and
	transportation incurred by open-enrollment charter schools;
	[(2)     the effect of open-enrollment charter schools on
	school districts and on teachers, students, and parents in those
	districts; and
	[(3)]  other issues, as determined by the commissioner.
	(c)  Not later than December 1 of each year in which an
	evaluation is conducted under Subsection (a), the agency shall
	submit a report to the legislature regarding the findings of an
	evaluation conducted under this section. The report must include
	appropriate recommendations, as determined by the agency, to
	improve the performance and regulation of open-enrollment charter
	schools.
	(c-1)  The agency shall submit the first report required
	under Subsection (c) not later than December 1, 2018.  This
	subsection expires January 1, 2019.
	SECTION 12.  Section 13.005(a), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by this section, Section 13.054, or
	[by] a local consolidation agreement under Section 13.158, the
	annexation of all or part of the territory of one district to
	another is effective on the first July 1 that is more than 30 days
	after the date of the order or ordinance accomplishing the
	annexation or of the declaration of the results of an election at
	which the transfer is approved.
	SECTION 13.  Subchapter B, Chapter 13, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 13.0521 to read as follows:
	Sec. 13.0521.  INSOLVENT OR INOPERATIVE DISTRICT. (a)  The
	board of trustees of a school district may notify the commissioner
	that the district is unable to complete the current or subsequent
	school year for financial or other reasons. On notification, the
	commissioner shall investigate the finances and other
	circumstances of the district. If the commissioner determines that
	the district is unable to complete the current or subsequent school
	year, the commissioner shall report the district to the
	commissioners court of each county that contains district territory
	for annexation as provided by this section.
	(b)  If a district has failed to operate school for 10 or more
	days of its regular school year, the commissioner shall notify the
	district that it is subject to annexation under this section. The
	commissioner shall require the district to submit a plan not later
	than the 10th day after the date the commissioner provides
	notification describing how the district will complete the current
	school year and subsequent school year. If the district fails to
	submit a plan, or if the commissioner, after evaluating the
	district's plan, determines that the district cannot reasonably be
	expected to complete the current or subsequent school year, the
	commissioner shall report the district to the commissioners court
	of each county that contains district territory for annexation as
	provided by this section.
	(c)  Each commissioners court by order shall annex district
	territory within the county to one or more other districts in the
	county or to a contiguous district in an adjacent county, provided
	that the commissioners court of the adjacent county consents to the
	annexation. An annexation under this section must occur in an open
	meeting with opportunity for public comment.
	(d)  If a commissioners court fails to order annexation of
	district territory on or before the 60th day after the date the
	commissioner reports the district to the commissioners court, the
	commissioner shall order annexation of the territory to one or more
	other districts. The commissioner may annex the territory to a
	district in the same county or to a contiguous district in an
	adjacent county.
	(e)  The commissioners court or the commissioner, as
	applicable, shall specify the effective date for the annexation,
	which may not be later than the first anniversary of the date of the
	annexation order. The order shall identify the district or
	districts required to serve students residing in the district to be
	annexed through any school year that begins before the effective
	date of the annexation. A district required to serve students under
	this subsection shall provide services equivalent to those provided
	to the district's other students and shall be entitled to funding
	for the attendance and transportation of students served as
	required by the order.
	(f)  The annexation order shall define by legal boundary
	description the resulting territory of each district to which
	territory is annexed and shall be recorded in the minutes of the
	commissioners court.
	(g)  The governing board of a district to which territory is
	annexed is the governing board for the resulting district.
	(h)  Title to real property of the annexed district vests in
	the district to which the property is annexed. Each district to
	which territory is annexed assumes and is liable for any portion of
	the annexed district's indebtedness that is allocated to the
	receiving district under Section 13.004.
	(i)  A district to which territory is annexed under this
	section is entitled to incentive aid under Section 13.281, as
	determined by the commissioner, as if the district were created
	through consolidation.
	(j)  The annexation order shall provide for taxation of the
	territory annexed during the year in which the annexation takes
	place. Unless a different rate is required by Section 3-b, Article
	VII, Texas Constitution, the order shall provide for a levy of a tax
	at a rate equal to the maintenance and operations tax rate of the
	district to which the territory is annexed, plus any required
	interest and sinking fund tax.
	(k)  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, this
	section does not affect the authority of the board of trustees of a
	district subject to annexation under this section to pursue
	consolidation under Subchapter D of this chapter or Subchapter B,
	Chapter 41.  Actions authorized under this section may be taken
	pending the outcome of an election to consolidate districts under
	Subchapter D of this chapter or a decision to consolidate under
	Subchapter B, Chapter 41. An election to consolidate or a decision
	to consolidate under Subchapter B, Chapter 41, that occurs not
	later than the 60th day following the date an annexation order is
	entered under this section prevails over the annexation order if
	the proposition for consolidation is adopted in both districts,
	provided that a district required to serve students under
	Subsection (e) shall allow any student to attend school through the
	completion of the school year in which the effective date of a
	consolidation occurs. An election to consolidate or a decision to
	consolidate under Subchapter B, Chapter 41, that occurs later than
	the 60th day following the date an annexation order is entered under
	this section is void.
	(l)  Notwithstanding Section 13.009, a determination by the
	commissioner or a commissioners court under this section is final
	and may not be appealed.
	(m)  The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this
	section.
	SECTION 14.  Section 13.054, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding Subsection (h) to
	read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioner by order may annex to one or more
	[adjoining] districts a school district that has received an
	accreditation status of accredited-warned or accredited-probation,
	has failed to satisfy any standard under Section 39.054(e), or has
	failed to satisfy financial accountability standards as determined
	by commissioner rule [been rated as academically unacceptable] for
	a period of two consecutive years.
	(b)  The governing board of a district to which territory [of
	an academically unacceptable district] is annexed is the governing
	board for the new district.
	(d)  Title to the real property of the [academically
	unacceptable] district to be annexed vests in the district to which
	the property is annexed. Each district to which territory is
	annexed assumes and is liable for any portion of the [academically
	unacceptable district's] indebtedness of the district to be annexed
	that is allocated to the receiving district under Section 13.004.
	(h)  Notwithstanding Section 13.005, the commissioner may
	provide for an alternate effective date for an annexation under
	this section if the alternate date is in the best interest of
	students.
	SECTION 15.  Sections 21.0031(a), (b-1), and (f), Education
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  An employee's probationary, continuing, or term
	contract under this chapter is void if the employee:
	(1)  does not hold a valid certificate or permit issued
	by the commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification];
	(2)  fails to fulfill the requirements necessary to
	renew or extend the employee's temporary, probationary, or
	emergency certificate or any other certificate or permit issued
	under Subchapter B; or
	(3)  fails to comply with any requirement under
	Subchapter C, Chapter 22, if the failure results in suspension or
	revocation of the employee's certificate under Section
	22.0831(f)(2).
	(b-1)  A school district may not terminate or suspend under
	Subsection (b) an employee whose contract is void under Subsection
	(a)(1) or (2) because the employee failed to renew or extend the
	employee's certificate or permit if the employee:
	(1)  requests an extension from the commissioner [State
	Board for Educator Certification] to renew, extend, or otherwise
	validate the employee's certificate or permit; and
	(2)  not later than the 10th day after the date the
	contract is void, takes necessary measures to renew, extend, or
	otherwise validate the employee's certificate or permit, as
	determined by the commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification].
	(f)  For purposes of this section, a certificate or permit is
	not considered to have expired if:
	(1)  the employee has completed the requirements for
	renewal of the certificate or permit;
	(2)  the employee submitted the request for renewal
	prior to the expiration date; and
	(3)  the date the certificate or permit would have
	expired is before the date the commissioner [State Board for
	Educator Certification] takes action to approve the renewal of the
	certificate or permit.
	SECTION 16.  Sections 21.004(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e),
	Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  To the extent that funds are available, the agency[, the
	State Board for Educator Certification,] and the Texas Higher
	Education Coordinating Board shall develop and implement programs
	to identify talented students and recruit those students and
	persons, including high school and undergraduate students,
	mid-career and retired professionals, honorably discharged and
	retired military personnel, and members of underrepresented gender
	and ethnic groups, into the teaching profession.
	(b)  From available funds, the agency[, the State Board for
	Educator Certification,] and the Texas Higher Education
	Coordinating Board shall develop and distribute materials that
	emphasize the importance of the teaching profession and inform
	individuals about state-funded loan forgiveness and tuition
	assistance programs.
	(c)  The commissioner, in cooperation with the commissioner
	of higher education [and the executive director of the State Board
	for Educator Certification], shall annually identify the need for
	teachers in specific subject areas and geographic regions and among
	underrepresented groups. The commissioner shall give priority to
	developing and implementing recruitment programs to address those
	needs from the agency's discretionary funds.
	(d)  The agency[, the State Board for Educator
	Certification,] and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
	shall encourage the business community to cooperate with local
	schools to develop recruiting programs designed to attract and
	retain capable teachers, including programs to provide summer
	employment opportunities for teachers.
	(e)  The agency[, the State Board for Educator
	Certification,] and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
	shall encourage major education associations to cooperate in
	developing a long-range program promoting teaching as a career and
	to assist in identifying local activities and resources that may be
	used to promote the teaching profession.
	SECTION 17.  Sections 21.006(b), (b-1), (c), (d), (e), (f),
	and (g), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(b)  In addition to the reporting requirement under Section
	261.101, Family Code, the superintendent or director of a school
	district, open-enrollment charter school, regional education
	service center, or shared services arrangement shall notify the
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification] if [the
	superintendent or director has reasonable cause to believe that]:
	(1)  an educator [employed by or] seeking employment by
	the district, school, service center, or shared services
	arrangement has a criminal record or the criminal record of an
	educator employed by the district, school, service center, or
	shared services arrangement changes, as determined by commissioner
	rule;
	(2)  an educator's employment at the district, school,
	service center, or shared services arrangement was terminated based
	on a determination that the educator:
	(A)  abused or otherwise committed an unlawful act
	with a student or minor;
	(A-1)  was involved in a romantic relationship
	with or solicited or engaged in sexual contact with a student or
	minor;
	(B)  possessed, transferred, sold, or distributed
	a controlled substance, as defined by Chapter 481, Health and
	Safety Code, or by 21 U.S.C. Section 801 et seq.[, and its
	subsequent amendments];
	(C)  illegally transferred, appropriated, or
	expended funds or other property of the district, school, service
	center, or shared services arrangement;
	(D)  attempted by fraudulent or unauthorized
	means to obtain or alter a professional certificate or license for
	the purpose of promotion or additional compensation; or
	(E)  committed a criminal offense or any part of a
	criminal offense on school property or at a school-sponsored event;
	(3)  the educator resigned and reasonable evidence
	supports a recommendation by the superintendent or director to
	terminate the educator based on a determination that the educator
	engaged in misconduct described by Subdivision (2); or
	(4)  the educator engaged in conduct that violated the
	assessment instrument security procedures established under
	Section 39.0301.
	(b-1)  A superintendent or director of a school district or
	open-enrollment charter school shall complete an investigation of
	an educator that is based on a reasonable suspicion [cause] to
	believe the educator may have engaged in misconduct described by
	Subsection (b)(2)(A) or (A-1), despite the educator's resignation
	from district or school employment before completion of the
	investigation. The agency shall establish procedures for an
	investigation under this subsection.
	(c)  The superintendent or director must notify the
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification] by filing a
	report with the commissioner [board] not later than the seventh day
	after the date the superintendent or director first learns about a
	change in an employee's criminal record under Subsection (b)(1) or
	a termination of employment or resignation following an alleged
	incident of misconduct described by Subsection (b).  The report
	must be:
	(1)  in writing; and
	(2)  in a form prescribed by the commissioner [board].
	(d)  The superintendent or director shall notify the board of
	trustees or governing body of the school district, open-enrollment
	charter school, regional education service center, or shared
	services arrangement and the educator of the filing of the report
	required by Subsection (c).
	(e)  A superintendent or director who in good faith and while
	acting in an official capacity files a report with the commissioner
	[State Board for Educator Certification] under this section is
	immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be
	incurred or imposed.
	(f)  The commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification] shall determine whether to impose sanctions against
	a superintendent or director who fails to file a report in violation
	of Subsection (c).
	(g)  The commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification] shall adopt [propose] rules as necessary to
	implement this section.
	SECTION 18.  Sections 21.007(b), (c), (d), (e), and (f),
	Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt a procedure for
	placing a notice of alleged misconduct on an educator's public
	certification records.  The procedure adopted by the commissioner
	[board] must provide for immediate placement of a notice of alleged
	misconduct on an educator's public certification records if the
	alleged misconduct presents a risk to the health, safety, or
	welfare of a student or minor as determined by the commissioner
	[board].
	(c)  The commissioner [board] must notify an educator in
	writing when placing a notice of an alleged incident of misconduct
	on the public certification records of the educator.
	(d)  The commissioner [board] must provide an opportunity
	for an educator to show cause why the notice should not be placed on
	the educator's public certification records.  The commissioner
	[board] shall adopt [propose] rules establishing the length of time
	that a notice may remain on the educator's public certification
	records before the commissioner [board] must:
	(1)  initiate a proceeding to impose a sanction on the
	educator on the basis of the alleged misconduct; or
	(2)  remove the notice from the educator's public
	certification records.
	(e)  If it is determined that the educator has not engaged in
	the alleged incident of misconduct, the commissioner [board] shall
	immediately remove the notice from the educator's public
	certification records.
	(f)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules
	necessary to administer this section.
	SECTION 19.  Section 21.031, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.031.  COMMISSIONER ROLE IN CERTIFICATION OF
	EDUCATORS [PURPOSE].  (a)  [The State Board for Educator
	Certification is established to recognize public school educators
	as professionals and to grant educators the authority to govern the
	standards of their profession.]  The commissioner [board] shall
	regulate and oversee all aspects of the certification, continuing
	education, and standards of conduct of public school educators.
	(b)  In adopting [proposing] rules under this subchapter,
	the commissioner [board] shall ensure that all candidates for
	certification or renewal of certification demonstrate the
	knowledge and skills necessary to improve the performance of the
	diverse student population of this state.
	SECTION 20.  Section 21.040, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.040.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE [GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES
	OF BOARD]. (a) The commissioner [board] shall[:
	[(1)  supervise the executive director's performance;
	[(2)     approve an operating budget for the board and
	make a request for appropriations;
	[(3)     appoint the members of any advisory committee to
	the board;
	[(4)  for each class of educator certificate,] appoint
	an advisory committee [composed of members of that class] to
	recommend standards for educator certification and educator
	preparation programs [that class] to the commissioner [board;
	[(5)     provide to its members and employees, as often as
	necessary, information regarding their qualifications for office
	or employment under this chapter and their responsibilities under
	applicable laws relating to standards of conduct for state officers
	or employees;
	[(6)     develop and implement policies that clearly
	define the respective responsibilities of the board and the board's
	staff; and
	[(7)     execute interagency contracts to perform routine
	administrative functions].
	(b)  In appointing the members of the advisory committee
	established under this section, the commissioner shall ensure the
	committee has a balanced representation of teachers,
	administrators, school counselors, and representatives of both
	traditional and alternative certification educator preparation
	programs.
	SECTION 21.  Sections 21.041(b), (c), and (d), Education
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules
	that:
	(1)  provide for the regulation of educators and the
	general administration of this subchapter in a manner consistent
	with this subchapter;
	(2)  specify the classes of educator certificates to be
	issued, including emergency certificates;
	(3)  specify the period for which each class of
	educator certificate is valid;
	(4)  specify the requirements for the issuance and
	renewal of an educator certificate;
	(5)  provide for the issuance of an educator
	certificate to a person who holds a similar certificate issued by
	another state or foreign country, subject to Section 21.052;
	(6)  provide for special or restricted certification of
	educators, including certification of instructors of American Sign
	Language;
	(7)  provide for disciplinary proceedings, including
	the suspension or revocation of an educator certificate, as
	provided by Chapter 2001, Government Code;
	(8)  provide for the adoption, amendment, and
	enforcement of an educator's code of ethics;
	(9)  provide for continuing education requirements;
	and
	(10)  provide for certification of persons performing
	appraisals under Subchapter H.
	(c)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] a rule
	establishing [adopting] a fee for the issuance and maintenance of
	an educator certificate that, when combined with any fees imposed
	under Subsection (d), is adequate to cover the cost of
	administration of this subchapter.
	(d)  The commissioner [board] may adopt [propose] a rule
	establishing [adopting] a fee for the approval or renewal of
	approval of an educator preparation program, or for the addition of
	a certificate or field of certification to the scope of a program's
	approval.  A fee imposed under this subsection may not exceed the
	amount necessary, as determined by the commissioner [board], to
	provide for the administrative cost of approving, renewing the
	approval of, and appropriately ensuring the accountability of
	educator preparation programs under this subchapter.
	SECTION 22.  Section 21.044, Education Code, as amended by
	Chapters 161 (S.B. 1093), 1091 (H.B. 3573), 1282 (H.B. 2012), and
	1321 (S.B. 460), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session,
	2013, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 21.044.  EDUCATOR PREPARATION. (a)  The commissioner
	[board] shall adopt [propose] rules establishing the training
	requirements a person must accomplish to obtain a certificate,
	enter an internship, or enter an induction-year program.  The
	commissioner [board] shall specify the minimum academic
	qualifications required for a certificate.
	(b)  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 curriculum for that degree, instruction in detection
	and education of students with dyslexia. This subsection does not
	apply to a person who obtains a certificate through an alternative
	certification program adopted under Section 21.049.
	(c)  The instruction under Subsection (b) must:
	(1)  be developed by a panel of experts in the diagnosis
	and treatment of dyslexia who are:
	(A)  employed by institutions of higher
	education; and
	(B)  approved by the commissioner [board]; and
	(2)  include information on:
	(A)  characteristics of dyslexia;
	(B)  identification of dyslexia; and
	(C)  effective, multisensory strategies for
	teaching students with dyslexia.
	(c-1)  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 detection of students with mental or emotional
	disorders.
	(c-2)  The instruction under Subsection (c-1) must:
	(1)  be developed by a panel of experts in the diagnosis
	and treatment of mental or emotional disorders who are appointed by
	the commissioner [board]; and
	(2)  include information on:
	(A)  characteristics of the most prevalent mental
	or emotional disorders among children;
	(B)  identification of mental or emotional
	disorders;
	(C)  effective strategies for teaching and
	intervening with students with mental or emotional disorders,
	including de-escalation techniques and positive behavioral
	interventions and supports; and
	(D)  providing, in compliance with Section
	38.010, notice and referral to a parent or guardian of a student
	with a mental or emotional disorder so that the parent or guardian
	may take appropriate action such as seeking mental health services.
	(d)  In adopting [proposing] rules under this section, the
	commissioner [board] shall specify that to obtain a certificate to
	teach an "applied STEM course," as that term is defined by Section
	28.027, at a secondary school, a person must:
	(1)  pass the certification test administered by the
	recognized national or international business and industry group
	that created the curriculum the applied STEM course is based on; and
	(2)  have at a minimum:
	(A)  an associate degree from an accredited
	institution of higher education; and
	(B)  three years of work experience in an
	occupation for which the applied STEM course is intended to prepare
	the student.
	(e)  In adopting [proposing] rules under this section for a
	person to obtain a certificate to teach a health science technology
	education course, the commissioner [board] shall specify that a
	person must have:
	(1)  an associate degree or more advanced degree from
	an accredited institution of higher education;
	(2)  current licensure, certification, or registration
	as a health professions practitioner issued by a nationally
	recognized accrediting agency for health professionals; and
	(3)  at least two years of wage earning experience
	utilizing the licensure requirement.
	(f)  The commissioner [board] may not adopt [propose] rules
	for a certificate to teach a health science technology education
	course that specify that a person must have a bachelor's degree or
	that establish any other credential or teaching experience
	requirements that exceed the requirements under Subsection (e).
	(g) [(e)]  Each educator preparation program must provide
	information regarding:
	(1)  the skills that educators are required to possess,
	the responsibilities that educators are required to accept, and the
	high expectations for students in this state;
	(2)  the effect of supply and demand forces on the
	educator workforce in this state;
	(3)  the performance over time of the educator
	preparation program;
	(4)  the importance of building strong classroom
	management skills; and
	(5)  the framework in this state for teacher and
	principal evaluation, including the procedures followed in
	accordance with Subchapter H.
	SECTION 23.  Section 21.0441, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.0441.  ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATOR
	PREPARATION PROGRAMS. (a)  Rules of the commissioner adopted
	[board proposed] under this subchapter must provide that a person,
	other than a person seeking career and technology education
	certification, is not eligible for admission to an educator
	preparation program, including an alternative educator preparation
	program, unless the person:
	(1)  except as provided by Subsection (b), satisfies
	minimum grade point average requirements prescribed by the
	commissioner [board], not to exceed the following:
	(A)  an overall grade point average of at least
	2.75 on a four-point scale or the equivalent on any course work
	previously attempted at a public or private institution of higher
	education; or
	(B)  a grade point average of at least 2.75 on a
	four-point scale or the equivalent for the last 60 semester credit
	hours attempted at a public or private institution of higher
	education; and
	(2)  if the person is seeking initial certification:
	(A)  has successfully completed at least:
	(i)  15 semester credit hours in the
	subject-specific content area in which the person is seeking
	certification, if the person is seeking certification to teach
	mathematics or science at or above grade level seven; or
	(ii)  12 semester credit hours in the
	subject-specific content area in which the person is seeking
	certification, if the person is not seeking certification to teach
	mathematics or science at or above grade level seven; or
	(B)  has achieved a satisfactory level of
	performance on a content certification examination, which may be a
	content certification examination administered by a vendor
	approved by the commissioner for purposes of administering such an
	examination for the year for which the person is applying for
	admission to the program.
	(b)  The commissioner's [board's] rules must permit an
	educator preparation program to admit in extraordinary
	circumstances a person who fails to satisfy a grade point average
	requirement prescribed by Subsection (a)(1)(A) or (B), provided
	that:
	(1)  not more than 10 percent of the total number of
	persons admitted to the program in a year fail to satisfy the
	requirement under Subsection (a)(1)(A) or (B); and
	(2)  for each person admitted as described by this
	subsection, the director of the program determines and certifies,
	based on documentation provided by the person, that the person's
	work, business, or career experience demonstrates achievement
	comparable to the academic achievement represented by the grade
	point average requirement.
	SECTION 24.  Section 21.045, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.045.  ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR EDUCATOR
	PREPARATION PROGRAMS; PROGRAM APPROVAL AND RENEWAL. (a) The
	commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules establishing
	standards to govern the approval and continuing accountability of
	all educator preparation programs based on the following
	information that is disaggregated with respect to sex and
	ethnicity:
	(1)  results of the certification examinations
	prescribed under Section 21.048(a);
	(2)  performance based on the appraisal system for
	beginning teachers adopted by the commissioner [board];
	(3)  achievement, including improvement in
	achievement, of students taught by beginning teachers for the first
	three years following certification, to the extent practicable; and
	(4)  compliance with commissioner [board] requirements
	regarding the frequency, duration, and quality of structural
	guidance and ongoing support provided by field supervisors to
	beginning teachers during their first year in the classroom.
	(b)  Each educator preparation program shall submit data
	elements as required by the commissioner [board] for an annual
	performance report to ensure access and equity.  At a minimum, the
	annual report must contain the performance data from Subsection
	(a), other than the data required for purposes of Subsection
	(a)(3), and the following information, disaggregated by sex and
	ethnicity:
	(1)  the number of candidates who apply;
	(2)  the number of candidates admitted;
	(3)  the number of candidates retained;
	(4)  the number of candidates completing the program;
	(5)  the number of candidates employed in the
	profession after completing the program;
	(6)  the number of candidates retained in the
	profession; and
	(7)  any other information required by federal law.
	(c)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules
	establishing performance standards for the Accountability System
	for Educator Preparation for accrediting educator preparation
	programs.  At a minimum, performance standards must be based on
	Subsection (a).
	(d)  The commissioner shall adopt [board may propose] rules
	establishing minimum standards for approval or renewal of approval
	of:
	(1)  educator preparation programs; or
	(2)  certification fields authorized to be offered by
	an educator preparation program.
	(e)  In adopting rules establishing minimum standards for
	renewal of approval of educator preparation programs under
	Subsection (d)(1), the commissioner shall require that each
	educator preparation program obtain renewal of approval every five
	years.  The commissioner shall adopt an evaluation process to be
	used for purposes of educator preparation program renewal.  To be
	eligible for renewal and continued accreditation, an educator
	preparation program must meet basic standards and requirements to
	adequately prepare candidates for educator certification, as
	determined by the commissioner.
	SECTION 25.  The heading to Section 21.0451, Education Code,
	is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 21.0451.  SANCTIONS [UNDER ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM] FOR
	EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS.
	SECTION 26.  Section 21.0451, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read
	as follows:
	(a)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules
	for the sanction of educator preparation programs that do not meet
	accountability standards or comply with state law or commissioner
	rules and shall annually review the accreditation status of each
	educator preparation program.  The rules:
	(1)  shall provide for the assignment of the following
	accreditation statuses:
	(A)  not rated;
	(B)  accredited;
	(C)  accredited-warned;
	(D)  accredited-probation; and
	(E)  not accredited-revoked;
	(2)  may provide for the agency to take any necessary
	action, including one or more of the following actions:
	(A)  requiring the program to obtain technical
	assistance approved by the agency [or board];
	(B)  requiring the program to obtain professional
	services under contract with another person;
	(C)  appointing a monitor to participate in and
	report to the commissioner [board] on the activities of the
	program; and
	(D)  if a program has been rated as
	accredited-probation [under the Accountability System for Educator
	Preparation] for a period of at least one year, revoking the
	approval of the program and ordering the program to be closed,
	provided that the [board or] agency must provide the opportunity
	for a hearing before the effective date of the closure; and
	(3)  shall provide for the agency to revoke the
	approval of the program and order the program to be closed if the
	program has been rated as accredited-probation [under the
	Accountability System for Educator Preparation] for three
	consecutive years, provided that the [board or] agency must provide
	the opportunity for a hearing before the effective date of the
	closure.
	(e)  The commissioner shall adopt procedures to ensure that
	sanctions under this section are applied fairly.
	(f)  The commissioner shall:
	(1)  provide information regarding sanctions under
	this section to each educator preparation program; and
	(2)  provide information to at-risk educator
	preparation programs about sanctions the specific program could
	face, including the consequences of those sanctions, a timeline for
	the program to comply with rules and meet accreditation standards,
	and how to appeal a sanction under this section.
	SECTION 27.  Section 21.0452, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.0452.  CONSUMER INFORMATION REGARDING EDUCATOR
	PREPARATION PROGRAMS. (a) To assist persons interested in
	obtaining teaching certification in selecting an educator
	preparation program and assist school districts in making staffing
	decisions, the commissioner [board] shall make information
	regarding educator programs in this state available to the public
	through the agency's [board's] Internet website.
	(b)  The commissioner [board] shall make available at least
	the following information regarding each educator preparation
	program:
	(1)  the information specified in Sections 21.045(a)
	and (b);
	(2)  in addition to any other appropriate information
	indicating the quality of persons admitted to the program, the
	average academic qualifications possessed by persons admitted to
	the program, including:
	(A)  average overall grade point average and
	average grade point average in specific subject areas; and
	(B)  average scores on the Scholastic Assessment
	Test (SAT), the American College Test (ACT), or the Graduate Record
	Examination (GRE), as applicable;
	(3)  the degree to which persons who complete the
	program are successful in obtaining teaching positions;
	(4)  the extent to which the program prepares teachers,
	including general education teachers and special education
	teachers, to effectively teach:
	(A)  students with disabilities; and
	(B)  students of limited English proficiency, as
	defined by Section 29.052;
	(5)  the activities offered by the program that are
	designed to prepare teachers to:
	(A)  integrate technology effectively into
	curricula and instruction, including activities consistent with
	the principles of universal design for learning; and
	(B)  use technology effectively to collect,
	manage, and analyze data to improve teaching and learning for the
	purpose of increasing student academic achievement;
	(6)  the perseverance of beginning teachers in the
	profession, as determined on the basis of the number of beginning
	teachers who maintain status as active contributing members in the
	Teacher Retirement System of Texas for at least three years after
	certification in comparison to similar programs;
	(7)  the results of exit surveys given to program
	participants on completion of the program that involve evaluation
	of the program's effectiveness in preparing participants to succeed
	in the classroom; and
	(8)  the results of surveys given to school principals
	that involve evaluation of the program's effectiveness in preparing
	participants to succeed in the classroom, based on experience with
	employed program participants.
	(c)  For purposes of Subsection (b)(7), the commissioner
	[board] shall require an educator preparation program to distribute
	an exit survey that a program participant must complete before the
	participant is eligible to receive a certificate under this
	subchapter.
	(d)  For purposes of Subsections (b)(7) and (8), the
	commissioner [board] shall develop surveys for distribution to
	program participants and school principals.
	(e)  The commissioner [board] may develop procedures under
	which each educator preparation program receives a designation or
	ranking based on the information required to be made available
	under Subsection (b).  If the commissioner [board] develops
	procedures under this subsection, the designation or ranking
	received by each program must be included in the information made
	available under this section.
	(f)  In addition to other information required to be made
	available under this section, the commissioner [board] shall
	provide information identifying employment opportunities for
	teachers in the various regions of this state.  The commissioner
	[board] shall specifically identify each region of this state in
	which a shortage of qualified teachers exists.
	(g)  The commissioner [board] may require any person to
	provide information to the commissioner [board] for purposes of
	this section.
	SECTION 28.  Section 21.0453, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.0453.  INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES FOR TEACHER
	CERTIFICATION. (a)  The commissioner [board] shall require an
	educator preparation program to provide candidates for teacher
	certification with information concerning the following:
	(1)  skills and responsibilities required of teachers;
	(2)  expectations for student performance based on
	state standards;
	(3)  the current supply of and demand for teachers in
	this state;
	(4)  the importance of developing classroom management
	skills; and
	(5)  the state's framework for appraisal of teachers
	and principals.
	(b)  The commissioner [board] may adopt [propose] rules as
	necessary for administration of this section, including rules to
	ensure that accurate and consistent information is provided by all
	educator preparation programs.
	SECTION 29.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Sections 21.0454 and 21.0455 to read as follows:
	Sec. 21.0454.  RISK FACTORS FOR EDUCATOR PREPARATION
	PROGRAMS; RISK-ASSESSMENT MODEL.  (a)  The commissioner shall
	develop a set of risk factors to use in assessing the overall risk
	level of each educator preparation program.  The set of risk factors
	must include:
	(1)  a history of the program's compliance with state
	law and commissioner rules, standards, and procedures;
	(2)  the program's operational standards;
	(3)  whether the program meets the accountability
	standards under Section 21.045; and
	(4)  whether the program is accredited by other
	organizations.
	(b)  The agency shall use the set of risk factors developed
	under Subsection (a) to guide the agency in conducting monitoring,
	inspections, and compliance audits of educator preparation
	programs, including evaluations associated with renewals under
	Section 21.045(e).
	Sec. 21.0455.  COMPLAINTS REGARDING EDUCATOR PREPARATION
	PROGRAMS. (a)  The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing a
	process for a candidate for teacher certification to direct a
	complaint against an educator preparation program to the agency.
	(b)  The commissioner by rule shall require an educator
	preparation program to notify candidates for teacher certification
	of the complaint process adopted under Subsection (a).  The notice
	must include the name, mailing address, telephone number, and
	Internet website address of the agency for the purpose of directing
	complaints to the agency.  The educator preparation program shall
	provide for that notification:
	(1)  on the Internet website of the educator
	preparation program, if the program maintains a website;
	(2)  on a sign prominently displayed in program
	facilities; and
	(3)  in any newsletter distributed by the educator
	preparation program, if the program distributes a newsletter.
	(c)  The commissioner shall post the complaint process
	adopted under Subsection (a) on the agency's Internet website.
	(d)  The agency has no authority to arbitrate or resolve
	contractual or commercial issues between an educator preparation
	program and a candidate for teacher certification.
	SECTION 30.  Sections 21.046(c) and (d), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(c)  Because an effective principal is essential to school
	improvement, the commissioner [board] shall ensure that:
	(1)  each candidate for certification as a principal is
	of the highest caliber; and
	(2)  multi-level screening processes, validated
	comprehensive assessment programs, and flexible internships with
	successful mentors exist to determine whether a candidate for
	certification as a principal possesses the essential knowledge,
	skills, and leadership capabilities necessary for success.
	(d)  In creating the qualifications for certification as a
	principal, the commissioner [board] shall consider the knowledge,
	skills, and proficiencies for principals as developed by relevant
	national organizations and the State Board of Education.
	SECTION 31.  Sections 21.047(a) and (b), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioner [board] may develop the process for the
	establishment of centers for professional development through
	institutions of higher education for the purpose of integrating
	technology and innovative teaching practices in the preservice and
	staff development training of public school teachers and
	administrators. An institution of higher education with a teacher
	education program may develop a center through a collaborative
	process involving public schools, regional education service
	centers, and other entities or businesses. A center may contract
	with other entities to develop materials and provide training.
	(b)  On application by a center, the commissioner [board]
	shall make grants to the center for its programs from funds derived
	from gifts, grants, and legislative appropriations for that
	purpose. The commissioner [board] shall award the grants on a
	competitive basis according to requirements established by
	commissioner [the board] rules.
	SECTION 32.  Section 21.048(a), Education Code, as amended
	by Chapters 1282 (H.B. 2012) and 1292 (H.B. 2318), Acts of the 83rd
	Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, is reenacted and amended to
	read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules
	prescribing comprehensive examinations for each class of
	certificate issued by the commissioner [board]. The commissioner
	[board] shall determine the satisfactory level of performance
	required for each certification examination.  For the issuance of a
	generalist certificate, the commissioner [board] shall require a
	satisfactory level of examination performance in each core subject
	covered by the examination.
	SECTION 33.  Sections 21.048(a-1), (b), and (c), Education
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a-1)  The commissioner [board] may not require that more
	than 45 days elapse before a person may retake an examination.
	(b)  The commissioner [board] may not administer a written
	examination to determine the competence or level of performance of
	an educator who has a hearing impairment unless the examination has
	been field tested to determine its appropriateness, reliability,
	and validity as applied to, and minimum acceptable performance
	scores for, persons with hearing impairments.
	(c)  An educator who has a hearing impairment is exempt from
	taking a written examination for a period ending on the first
	anniversary of the date on which the commissioner [board]
	determines, on the basis of appropriate field tests, that the
	examination complies with the standards specified in Subsection
	(b). On application to the commissioner [board], the commissioner
	[board] shall issue a temporary exemption certificate to a person
	entitled to an exemption under this subsection.
	SECTION 34.  Section 21.0481, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.0481.  MASTER READING TEACHER CERTIFICATION. (a)
	To ensure that there are teachers with special training to work with
	other teachers and with students in order to improve student
	reading performance, the commissioner [board] shall establish a
	master reading teacher certificate.
	(b)  The commissioner [board] shall issue a master reading
	teacher certificate to each eligible person.
	(c)  To be eligible for a master reading teacher certificate,
	a person must:
	(1)  hold a reading specialist certificate issued under
	this subchapter and satisfactorily complete a course of instruction
	as prescribed under Subdivision (2)(B); or
	(2)  hold a teaching certificate issued under this
	subchapter and:
	(A)  have at least three years of teaching
	experience;
	(B)  satisfactorily complete a knowledge-based
	and skills-based course of instruction on the science of teaching
	children to read that includes training in:
	(i)  effective reading instruction
	techniques, including effective techniques for students whose
	primary language is a language other than English;
	(ii)  identification of dyslexia and related
	reading disorders and effective reading instruction techniques for
	students with those disorders; and
	(iii)  effective professional peer
	mentoring techniques;
	(C)  perform satisfactorily on the master reading
	teacher certification examination prescribed by the commissioner
	[board]; and
	(D)  satisfy any other requirements prescribed by
	the commissioner [board].
	SECTION 35.  Section 21.0482, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.0482.  MASTER MATHEMATICS TEACHER CERTIFICATION.
	(a) To ensure that there are teachers with special training to work
	with other teachers and with students in order to improve student
	mathematics performance, the commissioner [board] shall establish:
	(1)  a master mathematics teacher certificate to teach
	mathematics at elementary school grade levels;
	(2)  a master mathematics teacher certificate to teach
	mathematics at middle school grade levels; and
	(3)  a master mathematics teacher certificate to teach
	mathematics at high school grade levels.
	(b)  The commissioner [board] shall issue the appropriate
	master mathematics teacher certificate to each eligible person.
	(c)  To be eligible for a master mathematics teacher
	certificate, a person must:
	(1)  hold a teaching certificate issued under this
	subchapter;
	(2)  have at least three years of teaching experience;
	(3)  satisfactorily complete a knowledge-based course
	of instruction on the science of teaching children mathematics that
	includes training in mathematics instruction and professional peer
	mentoring techniques that, through scientific testing, have been
	proven effective;
	(4)  perform satisfactorily on the appropriate master
	mathematics teacher certification examination prescribed by the
	commissioner [board]; and
	(5)  satisfy any other requirements prescribed by the
	commissioner [board].
	(d)  The course of instruction prescribed under Subsection
	(c)(3) shall be developed by the commissioner [board] in
	consultation with mathematics and science faculty members at
	institutions of higher education.
	SECTION 36.  Section 21.0483, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.0483.  MASTER TECHNOLOGY TEACHER CERTIFICATION. (a)
	To ensure that there are teachers with special training to work with
	other teachers and with students in order to increase the use of
	technology in each classroom, the commissioner [board] shall
	establish a master technology teacher certificate.
	(b)  The commissioner [board] shall issue a master
	technology teacher certificate to each eligible person.
	(c)  To be eligible for a master technology teacher
	certificate, a person must:
	(1)  hold a technology applications or Technology
	Education certificate issued under this subchapter, satisfactorily
	complete the course of instruction prescribed under Subdivision
	(2)(B), and satisfactorily perform on the examination prescribed
	under Subdivision (2)(C); or
	(2)  hold a teaching certificate issued under this
	subchapter and:
	(A)  have at least three years of teaching
	experience;
	(B)  satisfactorily complete a knowledge-based
	and skills-based course of instruction on interdisciplinary
	technology applications and the science of teaching technology that
	includes training in:
	(i)  effective technology instruction
	techniques, including applications designed to meet the
	educational needs of students with disabilities;
	(ii)  classroom teaching methodology that
	engages student learning through the integration of technology;
	(iii)  digital learning competencies,
	including Internet research, graphics, animation, website
	mastering, and video technologies;
	(iv)  curriculum models designed to prepare
	teachers to facilitate an active student learning environment; and
	(v)  effective professional peer mentoring
	techniques;
	(C)  satisfactorily perform on an examination
	administered at the conclusion of the course of instruction
	prescribed under Paragraph (B); and
	(D)  satisfy any other requirements prescribed by
	the commissioner [board].
	(d)  The commissioner [board] may provide technology
	applications training courses under Subsection (c)(2)(B) in
	cooperation with:
	(1)  regional education service centers; and
	(2)  other public or private entities, including any
	state council on technology.
	SECTION 37.  Section 21.0484, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.0484.  MASTER SCIENCE TEACHER CERTIFICATION. (a)
	To ensure that there are teachers with special training to work with
	other teachers and with students in order to improve student
	science performance, the commissioner [board] shall establish:
	(1)  a master science teacher certificate to teach
	science at elementary school grade levels;
	(2)  a master science teacher certificate to teach
	science at middle school grade levels; and
	(3)  a master science teacher certificate to teach
	science at high school grade levels.
	(b)  The commissioner [board] shall issue the appropriate
	master science teacher certificate to each eligible person.
	(c)  To be eligible for a master science teacher certificate,
	a person must:
	(1)  hold a teaching certificate issued under this
	subchapter;
	(2)  have at least three years of teaching experience;
	(3)  satisfactorily complete a knowledge-based course
	of instruction on the science of teaching children science that
	includes training in science instruction and professional peer
	mentoring techniques that, through scientific testing, have been
	proven effective;
	(4)  perform satisfactorily on the appropriate master
	science teacher certification examination prescribed by the
	commissioner [board]; and
	(5)  satisfy any other requirements prescribed by the
	commissioner [board].
	(d)  The course of instruction prescribed under Subsection
	(c)(3) shall be developed by the commissioner [board] in
	consultation with science faculty members at institutions of higher
	education.
	SECTION 38.  Section 21.0485(a), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  To be eligible to be issued a certificate to teach
	students with visual impairments, a person must:
	(1)  complete either:
	(A)  all course work required for that
	certification in an approved educator preparation program; or
	(B)  an alternative educator certification
	program approved for the purpose by the commissioner [board];
	(2)  perform satisfactorily on each examination
	prescribed under Section 21.048 for certification to teach students
	with visual impairments, after completing the course work or
	program described by Subdivision (1); and
	(3)  satisfy any other requirements prescribed by the
	commissioner [board].
	SECTION 39.  Section 21.049, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.049.  ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION. (a) To provide a
	continuing additional source of qualified educators, the
	commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules providing for
	educator certification programs 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 commissioner [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 certification program adopted under this
	section before taking the appropriate certification examination.
	SECTION 40.  Sections 21.050(a) and (b), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A person who applies for a teaching certificate for
	which commissioner [board] rules require a bachelor's degree must
	possess a bachelor's degree received with an academic major or
	interdisciplinary academic major, including reading, other than
	education, that is related to the curriculum as prescribed under
	Subchapter A, Chapter 28.
	(b)  The commissioner [board] may not require more than 18
	semester credit hours of education courses at the baccalaureate
	level for the granting of a teaching certificate. The commissioner
	[board] shall provide for a minimum number of semester credit hours
	of internship to be included in the hours needed for certification.
	The commissioner [board] may adopt [propose] rules requiring
	additional credit hours for certification in bilingual education,
	English as a second language, early childhood education, or special
	education.
	SECTION 41.  Sections 21.051(c), (d), (e), and (f),
	Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(c)  Subsection (b) applies only to an initial certification
	issued on or after September 1, 2012.  Subsection (b) does not
	affect:
	(1)  the validity of a certification issued before
	September 1, 2012; or
	(2)  the eligibility of a person who holds a
	certification issued before September 1, 2012, to obtain a
	subsequent renewal of the certification in accordance with
	commissioner [board] rule.
	(d)  Subsection (b) does not affect the period within which
	an individual must complete field-based experience hours as
	determined by commissioner [board] rule if the individual is not
	accepted into an educator preparation program before the deadline
	prescribed by commissioner [board] rule and is hired for a teaching
	assignment by a school district after the deadline prescribed by
	commissioner [board] rule.
	(e)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules
	relating to the field-based experience required by Subsection (b),
	including rules establishing [.   The commissioner by rule shall
	adopt] procedures and standards for recognizing a private school
	under Subsection (b)(2).
	(f)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules
	providing flexible options for persons for any field-based
	experience or internship required for certification.
	SECTION 42.  Sections 21.052(a), (c), (d), (e), (f), and
	(h), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioner [board] may issue a certificate to an
	educator who applies for a certificate and:
	(1)  holds:
	(A)  a degree issued by an institution accredited
	by a regional accrediting agency or group that is recognized by a
	nationally recognized accreditation board; or
	(B)  a degree issued by an institution located in
	a foreign country, if the degree is equivalent to a degree described
	by Paragraph (A);
	(2)  holds an appropriate certificate or other
	credential issued by another state or country; and
	(3)  performs satisfactorily on:
	(A)  the examination prescribed under Section
	21.048; or
	(B)  if the educator holds a certificate or other
	credential issued by another state or country, an examination
	similar to and at least as rigorous as that described by Paragraph
	(A) administered to the educator under the authority of that state.
	(c)  The commissioner [board] may issue a temporary
	certificate under this section to an educator who holds a degree
	required by Subsection (a)(1) and a certificate or other credential
	required by Subsection (a)(2) but who has not satisfied the
	requirements prescribed by Subsection (a)(3).  Subject to
	Subsection (d), the commissioner [board] may specify the term of a
	temporary certificate issued under this subsection.
	(d)  A temporary certificate issued under Subsection (c) to
	an educator employed by a school district that has constructed or
	expanded at least one instructional facility as a result of
	increased student enrollment due to actions taken under the Defense
	Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. Section 2687)
	may not expire before the first anniversary of the date on which the
	commissioner [board] completes the review of the educator's
	credentials and informs the educator of the examination or
	examinations under Section 21.048 on which the educator must
	perform successfully to receive a standard certificate.
	(e)  An educator who has submitted all documents required by
	the commissioner [board] for certification and who receives a
	certificate as provided by Subsection (a) must perform
	satisfactorily on the examination prescribed under Section 21.048
	not later than the first anniversary of the date the commissioner
	[board] completes the review of the educator's credentials and
	informs the educator of the examination or examinations under
	Section 21.048 on which the educator must perform successfully to
	receive a standard certificate.
	(f)  The commissioner [board] shall post on the
	commissioner's [board's] Internet website the procedures for
	obtaining a certificate under Subsection (a).
	(h)  This subsection applies only to an applicant who holds a
	certificate or other credential issued by another state in
	mathematics, science, special education, or bilingual education,
	or another subject area that the commissioner determines has a
	shortage of teachers.  In any state fiscal year, the commissioner
	[board] shall accept or reject, not later than the 14th day after
	the date the commissioner [board] receives the completed
	application, at least 90 percent of the applications the
	commissioner [board] receives for a certificate under this
	subsection, and shall accept or reject all completed applications
	the commissioner [board] receives under this subsection not later
	than the 30th day after the date the commissioner [board] receives
	the completed application.  An applicant under this subsection must
	submit:
	(1)  a letter of good standing from the state in which
	the teacher is certified on a form determined by the commissioner
	[board];
	(2)  information necessary to complete a national
	criminal history record information review; and
	(3)  an application fee as required by the commissioner
	[board].
	SECTION 43.  Section 21.054(a), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioner [board] shall adopt [propose] rules
	establishing a process for identifying continuing education
	courses and programs that fulfill educators' continuing education
	requirements.
	SECTION 44.  Section 21.054(d), Education Code, as added by
	Chapter 1306 (H.B. 3793), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
	Session, 2013, is redesignated as Section 21.054(g), Education
	Code, and amended to read as follows:
	(g) [(d)]  The commissioner [board] shall adopt rules that
	allow an educator to fulfill up to 12 hours of continuing education
	by participating in a mental health first aid training program
	offered by a local mental health authority under Section 1001.203,
	Health and Safety Code.  The number of hours of continuing
	education an educator may fulfill under this subsection may not
	exceed the number of hours the educator actually spends
	participating in a mental health first aid training program.
	SECTION 45.  Section 21.055(a), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  As provided by this section, a school district may issue
	a school district teaching permit and employ as a teacher a person
	who does not hold a teaching certificate issued by the commissioner
	[board].
	SECTION 46.  Section 21.056, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.056.  ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION. The commissioner
	[board] by rule shall provide for a certified educator to qualify
	for additional certification to teach at a grade level or in a
	subject area not covered by the educator's certificate upon
	satisfactory completion of an examination or other assessment of
	the educator's qualification.
	SECTION 47.  Section 21.057(d), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(d)  For purposes of this section, "inappropriately
	certified or uncertified teacher":
	(1)  includes:
	(A)  an individual serving on an emergency
	certificate issued under Section 21.041(b)(2); or
	(B)  an individual who does not hold any
	certificate or permit issued under this chapter and is not employed
	as specified by Subdivision (2)(E); and
	(2)  does not include an individual:
	(A)  who is a certified teacher assigned to teach
	a class or classes outside his or her area of certification, as
	determined by rules adopted [proposed] by the commissioner [board]
	in specifying the certificate required for each assignment;
	(B)  serving on a certificate issued due to a
	hearing impairment under Section 21.048;
	(C)  serving on a certificate issued pursuant to
	enrollment in an approved alternative certification program under
	Section 21.049;
	(D)  certified by another state or country and
	serving on a certificate issued under Section 21.052;
	(E)  serving on a school district teaching permit
	issued under Section 21.055; or
	(F)  employed under a waiver granted by the
	commissioner pursuant to Section 7.056.
	SECTION 48.  Sections 21.058(b) and (d), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  Notwithstanding Section 21.041(b)(7), not later than
	the fifth day after the date the commissioner [board] receives
	notice under Article 42.018, Code of Criminal Procedure, of the
	conviction of a person who holds a certificate under this
	subchapter, the commissioner [board] shall:
	(1)  revoke the certificate held by the person; and
	(2)  provide to the person and to any school district or
	open-enrollment charter school employing the person at the time of
	revocation written notice of:
	(A)  the revocation; and
	(B)  the basis for the revocation.
	(d)  A person whose certificate is revoked under Subsection
	(b) may reapply for a certificate in accordance with commissioner
	[board] rules.
	SECTION 49.  Section 21.060, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.060.  ELIGIBILITY OF PERSONS CONVICTED OF CERTAIN
	OFFENSES. The commissioner [board] may suspend or revoke the
	certificate or permit held by a person under this subchapter,
	impose other sanctions against the person, or refuse to issue a
	certificate or permit to a person under this subchapter if the
	person has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense
	relating to the duties and responsibilities of the education
	profession, including:
	(1)  an offense involving moral turpitude;
	(2)  an offense involving a form of sexual or physical
	abuse of a minor or student or other illegal conduct in which the
	victim is a minor or student;
	(3)  a felony offense involving the possession,
	transfer, sale, or distribution of or conspiracy to possess,
	transfer, sell, or distribute a controlled substance, as defined by
	Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, or by 21 U.S.C. Section 801 et
	seq.;
	(4)  an offense involving the illegal transfer,
	appropriation, or use of school district funds or other district
	property; or
	(5)  an offense involving an attempt by fraudulent or
	unauthorized means to obtain or alter a professional certificate or
	license issued under this subchapter.
	SECTION 50.  Section 21.061, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.061.  REVIEW AND UPDATING OF EDUCATOR PREPARATION
	PROGRAMS.  The commissioner [board] shall, after consulting with
	appropriate higher education faculty and public school teachers and
	administrators and soliciting advice from other interested persons
	with relevant knowledge and experience, develop and carry out a
	process for reviewing and, as necessary, updating standards and
	requirements for educator preparation programs.
	SECTION 51.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Sections 21.062 and 21.063 to read as follows:
	Sec. 21.062.  ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS. (a) During an
	investigation by the commissioner of an educator for an alleged
	incident of misconduct, the commissioner may issue a subpoena to
	compel the production, for inspection or copying, of relevant
	evidence that is located in this state.
	(b)  A subpoena may be served personally or by certified
	mail.
	(c)  If a person fails to comply with a subpoena, the
	commissioner, acting through the attorney general, may file suit to
	enforce the subpoena in a district court in this state.  On finding
	that good cause exists for issuing the subpoena, the court shall
	order the person to comply with the subpoena.  The court may punish
	a person who fails to obey the court order.
	(d)  All information and materials subpoenaed or compiled in
	connection with an investigation described by Subsection (a) are
	confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
	Government Code.
	(e)  Except as provided by a protective order, and
	notwithstanding Subsection (d), all information and materials
	subpoenaed or compiled in connection with an investigation
	described by Subsection (a) may be used in a disciplinary
	proceeding against an educator based on an alleged incident of
	misconduct.
	Sec. 21.063.  DISCIPLINARY MATRIX. (a)  The commissioner
	shall create a matrix to provide guidelines for ensuring the fair
	and consistent application of disciplinary sanctions for educators
	certified under this chapter who commit violations of this chapter
	or a rule adopted under this chapter.  In developing the matrix, the
	commissioner shall consider the range of appropriate sanctions
	available for a violation based on:
	(1)  the severity of the violation;
	(2)  the number of repeat violations;
	(3)  whether the sanction serves as a deterrent to
	subsequent violations; and
	(4)  any aggravating or mitigating factors.
	(b)  The matrix developed under Subsection (a) does not
	prevent the commissioner from exercising discretion based on the
	specific circumstances of an individual case.
	(c)  In developing the matrix under Subsection (a), the
	commissioner shall provide for public comment.
	(d)  The commissioner shall make the matrix developed under
	Subsection (a) available to the public through posting the matrix
	on the agency's Internet website and through other appropriate
	means.
	SECTION 52.  Section 21.105(c), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(c)  On written complaint by the employing district, the
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification] may impose
	sanctions against a teacher employed under a probationary contract
	who:
	(1)  resigns;
	(2)  fails without good cause to comply with Subsection
	(a) or (b); and
	(3)  fails to perform the contract.
	SECTION 53.  Section 21.160(c), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(c)  On written complaint by the employing district, the
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification] may impose
	sanctions against a teacher who is employed under a continuing
	contract that obligates the district to employ the person for the
	following school year and who:
	(1)  resigns;
	(2)  fails without good cause to comply with Subsection
	(a) or (b); and
	(3)  fails to perform the contract.
	SECTION 54.  Section 21.210(c), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(c)  On written complaint by the employing district, the
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification] may impose
	sanctions against a teacher who is employed under a term contract
	that obligates the district to employ the person for the following
	school year and who:
	(1)  resigns;
	(2)  fails without good cause to comply with Subsection
	(a) or (b); and
	(3)  fails to perform the contract.
	SECTION 55.  Section 21.253(a), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  A teacher must file a written request for a hearing
	under this subchapter with the district [commissioner] not later
	than the 15th day after the date the teacher receives written notice
	of the proposed action. [The teacher must provide the district with
	a copy of the request and must provide the commissioner with a copy
	of the notice.]
	SECTION 56.  Sections 21.254(b) and (e), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  If a hearing examiner is not selected by the parties to a
	pending case under Subsection (e), the [The] commissioner shall
	immediately assign the hearing examiner for a particular case by
	selecting the next person named on the list who resides within
	reasonable proximity to the district as determined by the
	commissioner. The commissioner may not change the order of names
	once the order is established under this section, except that once
	each hearing examiner on the list has been assigned to a case, the
	names shall be randomly reordered. When a hearing examiner has been
	assigned to a case, the commissioner shall immediately notify the
	parties. An assignment under this section is final.
	(e)  After the teacher receives the notice of the proposed
	action, the parties by agreement may select a hearing examiner from
	the list maintained by the commissioner under Subsection (a) or a
	person who is not certified to serve as a hearing examiner. A
	person who is not a certified hearing examiner may be selected only
	if the person is licensed to practice law in this state. If the
	parties do not agree on a hearing examiner, the parties shall
	request an assignment from [, before the date the commissioner is
	permitted to assign a hearing examiner, notify] the commissioner
	under Subsection (b) not later than the 25th calendar day after the
	date the teacher receives the notice of the proposed action [in
	writing of the agreement, including the name of the hearing
	examiner selected].
	SECTION 57.  Section 21.255(d), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(d)  If the hearing examiner is unable to continue presiding
	over a case at any time before issuing a recommendation or decision,
	the parties shall select by agreement or request the assignment of
	another hearing examiner under Section 21.254 who, after a review
	of the record, shall perform any remaining functions without the
	necessity of repeating any previous proceedings.
	SECTION 58.  Section 21.4021(g), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(g)  If a board of trustees adopts a furlough program after
	the date by which a teacher must give notice of resignation under
	Section 21.105, 21.160, or 21.210, as applicable, a teacher who
	subsequently resigns is not subject to sanctions imposed by the
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification] as otherwise
	authorized by those sections.
	SECTION 59.  Section 21.503, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 21.503.  ELIGIBILITY. A person is eligible for the
	program if the person:
	(1)  has served in the armed forces of the United
	States;
	(2)  is honorably discharged, retired, or released from
	active duty on or after October 1, 1990, after at least six years of
	continuous active duty service immediately before the discharge,
	retirement, or release;
	(3)  has received a baccalaureate or advanced degree
	from a public or private institution of higher education accredited
	by a regional accrediting agency or group that is recognized by a
	nationally recognized accreditation board; and
	(4)  satisfies any other criteria for selection
	[jointly] prescribed by the agency [and the State Board for
	Educator Certification].
	SECTION 60.  Section 21.504(b), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  The agency [and the State Board for Educator
	Certification] shall distribute the applications and information
	regarding the program.
	SECTION 61.  Section 21.510(c), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(c)  For purposes of this section, a participant in the
	program is not considered to be in violation of an agreement under
	Section 21.508 during any period in which the participant:
	(1)  is pursuing a full-time course of study related to
	the field of teaching at a public or private institution of higher
	education approved by the commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification];
	(2)  is serving on active duty as a member of the armed
	forces of the United States;
	(3)  is temporarily totally disabled for a period not
	to exceed three years as established by sworn affidavit of a
	qualified physician;
	(4)  is unable to secure employment for a period not to
	exceed one year because of care required by a disabled spouse;
	(5)  is seeking and unable to find full-time employment
	as a teacher in a public elementary or secondary school for a single
	period not to exceed 27 months; or
	(6)  satisfies the provisions of any additional
	reimbursement exception adopted by the agency.
	SECTION 62.  Sections 21.551 and 21.553, Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 21.551.  PURPOSES. The purposes of the alternative
	certification Teach for Texas Pilot Program are to:
	(1)  attract to the teaching profession persons who
	have expressed interest in teaching and to support the
	certification of those persons as teachers;
	(2)  recognize the importance of the certification
	process [governed by the State Board for Educator Certification]
	under Subchapter B, which requires verification of competence in
	subject area and professional knowledge and skills;
	(3)  encourage the creation and expansion of educator
	preparation programs that recognize the knowledge and skills gained
	through previous educational and work-related experiences and that
	are delivered in a manner that recognizes individual circumstances,
	including the need to remain employed full-time while enrolled in
	the Teach for Texas Pilot Program; and
	(4)  provide annual stipends to postbaccalaureate
	teacher certification candidates.
	Sec. 21.553.  FINANCIAL INCENTIVES. (a) The pilot program
	must offer to participants financial incentives, including tuition
	assistance and loan forgiveness. In offering a financial
	incentive, the commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification] shall:
	(1)  require a contract between each participant who
	accepts a financial incentive and the commissioner [State Board for
	Educator Certification] under which the participant is obligated to
	teach in a public school in this state for a stated period after
	certification;
	(2)  provide financial incentives in proportion to the
	length of the period the participant is obligated by contract to
	teach after certification; and
	(3)  give special financial incentives to a participant
	who agrees in the contract to teach in an underserved area.
	(b)  Financial incentives may be paid only from funds
	appropriated specifically for that purpose and from gifts, grants,
	and donations solicited or accepted by the commissioner [State
	Board for Educator Certification] for that purpose.
	(c)  The commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification] shall adopt [propose] rules establishing criteria
	for awarding financial incentives under this section, including
	criteria for awarding financial incentives if there are more
	participants than funds available to provide the financial
	incentives.
	SECTION 63.  Section 21.604(b), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  The agency [and the State Board for Educator
	Certification] shall distribute the applications and information
	regarding the program.
	SECTION 64.  Section 21.609(c), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(c)  For purposes of this section, a participant in the
	program is not considered to be in violation of an agreement under
	Section 21.607 during any period in which the participant:
	(1)  is pursuing a full-time course of study related to
	the field of teaching at an institution of higher education
	approved by the commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification];
	(2)  is serving on active duty as a member of the armed
	forces of the United States;
	(3)  is temporarily totally disabled for a period not
	to exceed three years as established by affidavit of a qualified
	physician;
	(4)  is unable to secure employment for a period not to
	exceed one year because of care required by a disabled spouse;
	(5)  is seeking and unable to find full-time employment
	as a teacher in a public elementary or secondary school for a single
	period not to exceed 27 months; or
	(6)  satisfies the provisions of any additional
	reimbursement exception adopted by the agency.
	SECTION 65.  Section 22.0512(b), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  In this section, "disciplinary proceeding" means:
	(1)  an action brought by the school district employing
	a professional employee of a school district to discharge or
	suspend the employee or terminate or not renew the employee's term
	contract; or
	(2)  an action brought by the commissioner [State Board
	for Educator Certification] to enforce the educator's code of
	ethics adopted under Section 21.041(b)(8).
	SECTION 66.  Section 22.082, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 22.082.  ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS BY
	COMMISSIONER [STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION]. The
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification] shall
	subscribe to the criminal history clearinghouse as provided by
	Section 411.0845, Government Code, and may obtain from any law
	enforcement or criminal justice agency all criminal history record
	information and all records contained in any closed criminal
	investigation file that relate to a specific applicant for or
	holder of a certificate issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21.
	SECTION 67.  Sections 22.0831(c), (d), (e), and (f),
	Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(c)  The commissioner [board] shall review the national
	criminal history record information of a person who has not
	previously submitted fingerprints to the department or been subject
	to a national criminal history record information review.
	(d)  The commissioner [board] shall place an educator's
	certificate on inactive status for failure to comply with a
	deadline for submitting information required under this section.
	(e)  The commissioner [board] may allow a person who is
	applying for a certificate under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, and who
	currently resides in another state to submit the person's
	fingerprints and other required information in a manner that does
	not impose an undue hardship on the person.
	(f)  The commissioner [board] may adopt [propose] rules to
	implement this section, including rules establishing:
	(1)  deadlines for a person to submit fingerprints and
	photographs in compliance with this section; and
	(2)  sanctions for a person's failure to comply with the
	requirements of this section, including suspension or revocation of
	a certificate or refusal to issue a certificate.
	SECTION 68.  Section 22.0832(a), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  The agency shall review the national criminal history
	record information of an employee of an open-enrollment charter
	school to whom Section 12.1059 applies in the same manner as the
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification] reviews
	certified educators under Section 22.0831.  If the agency
	determines that, based on information contained in an employee's
	criminal history record information, the employee would not be
	eligible for educator certification under Subchapter B, Chapter 21,
	the agency shall notify the open-enrollment charter school in
	writing that the person may not be employed by the school or serve
	in a capacity described by Section 12.1059.
	SECTION 69.  Section 22.0833(h), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(h)  The agency, [the State Board for Educator
	Certification,] school districts, open-enrollment charter schools,
	and shared services arrangements may coordinate as necessary to
	ensure that criminal history reviews authorized or required under
	this subchapter are not unnecessarily duplicated.
	SECTION 70.  Sections 22.085(d) and (e), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(d)  A school district, open-enrollment charter school,
	private school, regional education service center, or shared
	services arrangement may discharge an employee if the district or
	school obtains information of the employee's conviction of a felony
	or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude that the employee did
	not disclose to the commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification] or the district, school, service center, or shared
	services arrangement.  An employee discharged under this section is
	considered to have been discharged for misconduct for purposes of
	Section 207.044, Labor Code.  For purposes of this subsection, a
	disclosure to the State Board for Educator Certification before
	September 1, 2015, is considered a disclosure to the commissioner.
	(e)  The commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification] may impose a sanction on an educator who does not
	discharge an employee or refuse to hire an applicant if the educator
	knows or should have known, through a criminal history record
	information review, that the employee or applicant has been
	convicted of an offense described by Subsection (a).
	SECTION 71.  Sections 22.086 and 22.087, Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 22.086.  LIABILITY FOR REPORTING OFFENSES. The
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification], a school
	district, an open-enrollment charter school, a private school, a
	regional education service center, a shared services arrangement,
	or an employee of the agency [board], district, school, service
	center, or shared services arrangement is not civilly or criminally
	liable for making a report required under this subchapter.
	Sec. 22.087.  NOTIFICATION TO COMMISSIONER [STATE BOARD FOR
	EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION]. The superintendent of a school district
	or the director of an open-enrollment charter school, private
	school, regional education service center, or shared services
	arrangement shall promptly notify the commissioner [State Board for
	Educator Certification] in writing if the person obtains or has
	knowledge of information showing that an applicant for or holder of
	a certificate issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, has a reported
	criminal history.
	SECTION 72.  Section 25.001(b), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  The board of trustees of a school district or its
	designee shall admit into the public schools of the district free of
	tuition a person who is over five and younger than 21 years of age on
	the first day of September of the school year in which admission is
	sought, and may admit a person who is at least 21 years of age and
	under 26 years of age for the purpose of completing the requirements
	for a high school diploma, if:
	(1)  the person and either parent of the person reside
	in the school district;
	(2)  the person does not reside in the school district
	but a parent of the person resides in the school district and that
	parent is a joint managing conservator or the sole managing
	conservator or possessory conservator of the person;
	(3)  the person and the person's guardian or other
	person having lawful control of the person under a court order
	reside within the school district;
	(4)  the person has established a separate residence
	under Subsection (d);
	(5)  the person is homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C.
	Section 11302, regardless of the residence of the person, of either
	parent of the person, or of the person's guardian or other person
	having lawful control of the person;
	(6)  the person is a foreign exchange student placed
	with a host family that resides in the school district by a
	nationally recognized foreign exchange program[, unless the school
	district has applied for and been granted a waiver by the
	commissioner under Subsection (e)];
	(7)  the person resides at a residential facility
	located in the district;
	(8)  the person resides in the school district and is 18
	years of age or older or the person's disabilities of minority have
	been removed; or
	(9)  the person does not reside in the school district
	but the grandparent of the person:
	(A)  resides in the school district; and
	(B)  provides a substantial amount of
	after-school care for the person as determined by the board.
	SECTION 73.  Section 25.008(b), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  Subsection (a) does not apply to enrollment in a program
	under Section 29.088 or [,] 29.090[, or 29.098] or in a similar
	intensive program.
	SECTION 74.  Section 29.007, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 29.007.  SHARED SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS. School
	districts may enter into a written contract to jointly operate
	their special education programs. [The contract must be approved
	by the commissioner.] Funds to which the cooperating districts are
	entitled may be allocated to the districts jointly as shared
	services arrangement units or shared services arrangement funds in
	accordance with the shared services arrangement districts'
	agreement.
	SECTION 75.  Sections 29.061(a), (b), (c), and (e),
	Education Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification] shall provide for the issuance of teaching
	certificates appropriate for bilingual education instruction to
	teachers who possess a speaking, reading, and writing ability in a
	language other than English in which bilingual education programs
	are offered and who meet the general requirements of Chapter 21.
	The commissioner [board] shall also provide for the issuance of
	teaching certificates appropriate for teaching English as a second
	language. The commissioner [board] may issue emergency
	endorsements in bilingual education and in teaching English as a
	second language.
	(b)  A teacher assigned to a bilingual education program must
	be appropriately certified for bilingual education by the
	commissioner [board].
	(c)  A teacher assigned to an English as a second language or
	other special language program must be appropriately certified for
	English as a second language by the commissioner [board].
	(e)  The commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification] and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
	shall develop a comprehensive plan for meeting the teacher supply
	needs created by the programs outlined in this subchapter.
	SECTION 76.  Sections 33.002(b) and (c), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A school district with 500 or more students enrolled in
	elementary school grades shall employ a school counselor certified
	under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, [the rules of the State Board for
	Educator Certification] for each elementary school in the
	district.  A school district shall employ at least one school
	counselor for every 500 elementary school students in the district.
	(c)  A school district with fewer than 500 students enrolled
	in elementary school grades shall provide guidance and counseling
	services to elementary school students by:
	(1)  employing a part-time school counselor certified
	under Subchapter B, Chapter 21 [the rules of the State Board for
	Educator Certification];
	(2)  employing a part-time teacher certified as a
	school counselor under Subchapter B, Chapter 21 [the rules of the
	State Board for Educator Certification]; or
	(3)  entering into a shared services arrangement
	agreement with one or more school districts to share a school
	counselor certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21 [the rules of
	the State Board for Educator Certification].
	SECTION 77.  Section 33.007(c), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(c)  At the beginning of grades 10 and 11, a school counselor
	certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, [the rules of the State
	Board for Educator Certification] shall explain the requirements of
	automatic admission to a general academic teaching institution
	under Section 51.803 to each student enrolled in a high school or at
	the high school level in an open-enrollment charter school who has a
	grade point average in the top 25 percent of the student's high
	school class.
	SECTION 78.  Section 33.081(d-1), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(d-1)  Subsections (c) and (d) do not apply to an advanced
	placement or international baccalaureate course, or to an honors or
	dual credit course in the subject areas of English language arts,
	mathematics, science, social studies, economics, or a language
	other than English.  [The agency shall review on a biennial basis
	courses described by this subsection to determine if other courses
	should be excluded from the requirement that a student be suspended
	from participation in an extracurricular activity under Subsection
	(c).   Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the agency
	shall report the findings under this subsection to the
	legislature.]
	SECTION 79.  Section 37.006(o), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(o)  In addition to any notice required under Article 15.27,
	Code of Criminal Procedure, a principal or a principal's designee
	shall inform each educator who has responsibility for, or is under
	the direction and supervision of an educator who has responsibility
	for, the instruction of a student who has engaged in any violation
	listed in this section of the student's misconduct.  Each educator
	shall keep the information received under this subsection
	confidential from any person not entitled to the information under
	this subsection, except that the educator may share the information
	with the student's parent or guardian as provided for by state or
	federal law.  The commissioner [State Board for Educator
	Certification] may revoke or suspend the certification of an
	educator who intentionally violates this subsection.
	SECTION 80.  Section 37.007(g), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(g)  In addition to any notice required under Article 15.27,
	Code of Criminal Procedure, a school district shall inform each
	educator who has responsibility for, or is under the direction and
	supervision of an educator who has responsibility for, the
	instruction of a student who has engaged in any violation listed in
	this section of the student's misconduct.  Each educator shall keep
	the information received under this subsection confidential from
	any person not entitled to the information under this subsection,
	except that the educator may share the information with the
	student's parent or guardian as provided for by state or federal
	law.  The commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification] may
	revoke or suspend the certification of an educator who
	intentionally violates this subsection.
	SECTION 81.  Sections 39.0302(a) and (d), Education Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  During an agency investigation or audit of a school
	district under Section 39.0301(e) or (f), an accreditation
	investigation under Section 39.057(a)(8) or (13), or an
	investigation [by the State Board for Educator Certification] of an
	educator for an alleged violation of an assessment instrument
	security procedure established under Section 39.0301(a), the
	commissioner may issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a
	relevant witness or the production, for inspection or copying, of
	relevant evidence that is located in this state.
	(d)  All information and materials subpoenaed or compiled in
	connection with an investigation or audit described by Subsection
	(a):
	(1)  are confidential and not subject to disclosure
	under Chapter 552, Government Code; and
	(2)  are not subject to disclosure, discovery,
	subpoena, or other means of legal compulsion for release to any
	person other than:
	(A)  the commissioner [or the State Board for
	Educator Certification, as applicable];
	(B)  agency employees or agents involved in the
	investigation, as applicable; and
	(C)  the office of the attorney general, the state
	auditor's office, and law enforcement agencies.
	SECTION 82.  Section 39.102(a), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  If a school district does not satisfy the accreditation
	criteria under Section 39.052, the academic performance standards
	under Section 39.053 or 39.054, or any financial accountability
	standard as determined by commissioner rule, the commissioner shall
	take any of the following actions to the extent the commissioner
	determines necessary:
	(1)  issue public notice of the deficiency to the board
	of trustees;
	(2)  order a hearing conducted by the board of trustees
	of the district for the purpose of notifying the public of the
	insufficient performance, the improvements in performance expected
	by the agency, and the interventions and sanctions that may be
	imposed under this section if the performance does not improve;
	(3)  order the preparation of a student achievement
	improvement plan that addresses each student achievement indicator
	under Section 39.053(c) for which the district's performance is
	insufficient, the submission of the plan to the commissioner for
	approval, and implementation of the plan;
	(4)  order a hearing to be held before the commissioner
	or the commissioner's designee at which the president of the board
	of trustees of the district and the superintendent shall appear and
	explain the district's low performance, lack of improvement, and
	plans for improvement;
	(5)  arrange an on-site investigation of the district;
	(6)  appoint an agency monitor to participate in and
	report to the agency on the activities of the board of trustees or
	the superintendent;
	(7)  appoint a conservator to oversee the operations of
	the district;
	(8)  appoint a management team to direct the operations
	of the district in areas of insufficient performance or require the
	district to obtain certain services under a contract with another
	person;
	(9)  if a district has a current accreditation status
	of accredited-warned or accredited-probation, fails to satisfy any
	standard under Section 39.054(e), or fails to satisfy financial
	accountability standards as determined by commissioner rule,
	appoint a board of managers to exercise the powers and duties of the
	board of trustees;
	(10)  if for two consecutive school years, including
	the current school year, a district has received an accreditation
	status of accredited-warned or accredited-probation, has failed to
	satisfy any standard under Section 39.054(e), or has failed to
	satisfy financial accountability standards as determined by
	commissioner rule, revoke the district's accreditation and:
	(A)  order closure of the district and annex the
	district to one or more [adjoining] districts under Section 13.054;
	or
	(B)  in the case of a home-rule school district or
	open-enrollment charter school, order closure of all programs
	operated under the district's or school's charter; or
	(11)  if a district has failed to satisfy any standard
	under Section 39.054(e) due to the district's dropout rates, impose
	sanctions designed to improve high school completion rates,
	including:
	(A)  ordering the development of a dropout
	prevention plan for approval by the commissioner;
	(B)  restructuring the district or appropriate
	school campuses to improve identification of and service to
	students who are at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by
	Section 29.081;
	(C)  ordering lower student-to-counselor ratios
	on school campuses with high dropout rates; and
	(D)  ordering the use of any other intervention
	strategy effective in reducing dropout rates, including mentor
	programs and flexible class scheduling.
	SECTION 83.  Section 39.112, Education Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
	(f)  Subsection (e) does not apply if the district will be
	closed and its territory annexed to one or more other school
	districts in accordance with other law.  In that circumstance, the
	board of managers may, as determined by the commissioner, continue
	to oversee the closure and annexation of the district until the
	effective date of the district's annexation.
	SECTION 84.  The heading to Section 39.204, Education Code,
	is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 39.204.  CAMPUS DISTINCTION DESIGNATION CRITERIA[;
	COMMITTEES].
	SECTION 85.  Section 39.233, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 39.233.  [RECOGNITION OF] HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION AND
	SUCCESS AND COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAMS; AGENCY GUIDANCE. [(a)]
	The agency shall[:
	[(1)     develop standards for evaluating the success and
	cost-effectiveness of high school completion and success and
	college readiness programs implemented under Section 39.234;
	[(2)]  provide guidance for school districts and
	campuses in establishing and improving high school completion and
	success and college readiness programs implemented under Section
	39.234[; and
	[(3)     develop standards for selecting and methods for
	recognizing school districts and campuses that offer exceptional
	high school completion and success and college readiness programs
	under Section 39.234.
	[(b)     The commissioner may adopt rules for the
	administration of this section].
	SECTION 86.  Section 39.235(a), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  From funds appropriated for that purpose, the
	commissioner may establish a grant program under which grants are
	awarded to middle, junior high, and high school campuses and school
	districts to support:
	(1)  the implementation of innovative improvement
	programs that are based on the best available research regarding
	middle, junior high, or high school reform, dropout prevention, and
	preparing students for postsecondary coursework or employment; and
	(2)  enhancing education practices that have been
	demonstrated by significant evidence of effectiveness[; and
	[(3)     the alignment of grants and programs to the
	strategic plan adopted under Section 39.407].
	SECTION 87.  Sections 39.301(c) and (d), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(c)  Indicators for reporting purposes must include:
	(1)  the percentage of graduating students who meet the
	course requirements established by State Board of Education rule
	for:
	(A)  the foundation high school program;
	(B)  the distinguished level of achievement under
	the foundation high school program; and
	(C)  each endorsement described by Section
	28.025(c-1);
	(2)  the results of the SAT, ACT, articulated
	postsecondary degree programs described by Section 61.852, and
	certified workforce training programs described by Chapter 311,
	Labor Code;
	(3)  for students who have failed to perform
	satisfactorily, under each performance standard under Section
	39.0241, on an assessment instrument required under Section
	39.023(a) or (c), the performance of those students on subsequent
	assessment instruments required under those sections, aggregated
	by grade level and subject area;
	(4)  for each campus, the number of students,
	disaggregated by major student subpopulations, that take courses
	under the foundation high school program and take additional
	courses to earn an endorsement under Section 28.025(c-1),
	disaggregated by type of endorsement;
	(5)  the percentage of students, aggregated by grade
	level, provided accelerated instruction under Section 28.0211(c),
	the results of assessment instruments administered under that
	section, the percentage of students promoted through the grade
	placement committee process under Section 28.0211, the subject of
	the assessment instrument on which each student failed to perform
	satisfactorily under each performance standard under Section
	39.0241, and the performance of those students in the school year
	following that promotion on the assessment instruments required
	under Section 39.023;
	(6)  [the percentage of students of limited English
	proficiency exempted from the administration of an assessment
	instrument under Sections 39.027(a)(1) and (2);
	[(7)]  the percentage of students in a special
	education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, assessed through
	assessment instruments developed or adopted under Section
	39.023(b);
	(7) [(8)]  the percentage of students who satisfy the
	college readiness measure;
	(8) [(9)]  the measure of progress toward dual language
	proficiency under Section 39.034(b), for students of limited
	English proficiency, as defined by Section 29.052;
	(9) [(10)]  the percentage of students who are not
	educationally disadvantaged;
	(10) [(11)]  the percentage of students who enroll and
	begin instruction at an institution of higher education in the
	school year following high school graduation; and
	(11) [(12)]  the percentage of students who
	successfully complete the first year of instruction at an
	institution of higher education without needing a developmental
	education course.
	(d)  Performance on the indicators described by Section
	39.053(c) and Subsections (c)(3), (4), and (8) [(9)] must be based
	on longitudinal student data that is disaggregated by the bilingual
	education or special language program, if any, in which students of
	limited English proficiency, as defined by Section 29.052, are or
	former students of limited English proficiency were enrolled.  If a
	student described by this subsection is not or was not enrolled in
	specialized language instruction, the number and percentage of
	those students shall be provided.
	SECTION 88.  Section 39.409, Education Code, is transferred
	to Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, redesignated as
	Section 29.921, Education Code, and amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 29.921 [39.409].  PRIVATE FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIPS.
	(a) The commissioner of education or the commissioner of higher
	education, as appropriate, [and the council] may coordinate with
	private foundations that have made a substantial investment in the
	improvement of high schools in this state to maximize the impact of
	public and private investments.
	(b)  A private foundation is not required to obtain the
	approval of the appropriate commissioner [or the council] under
	Subsection (a) before allocating resources to a school in this
	state.
	SECTION 89.  Section 39.413, Education Code, is transferred
	to Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, redesignated as
	Section 61.0767, Education Code, and amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 61.0767 [39.413].  FUNDING FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS. (a)
	From funds appropriated, the board [Texas Higher Education
	Coordinating Board] shall allocate $8.75 million each year to
	establish mathematics, science, and technology teacher preparation
	academies under Section 61.0766[, provide funding to the
	commissioner of education to implement and administer the program
	under Section 29.098,] and award grants under Section
	61.0762(a)(3).
	(b)  The board [Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board]
	shall establish mathematics, science, and technology teacher
	preparation academies under Section 61.0766[, provide funding to
	the commissioner of education to implement and administer the
	program under Section 29.098,] and award grants under Section
	61.0762(a)(3) in a manner consistent with [the goals of this
	subchapter and] the goals in "Closing the Gaps," the state's master
	plan for higher education.
	SECTION 90.  Subchapter A, Chapter 42, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 42.011 to read as follows:
	Sec. 42.011.  FUNDS AUDIT. (a)  The agency shall develop and
	implement by rule an auditing system for expenditures of funds
	under the Foundation School Program by school districts and
	open-enrollment charter schools. An auditing system developed
	under this section must use a standard, risk-based approach.
	(b)  The agency shall provide guidance relating to an audit
	developed under this section through any training or reference
	material the agency provides to school districts or open-enrollment
	charter schools.
	SECTION 91.  Sections 45.208(a) and (e), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The bank or banks selected as the depository or
	depositories and the school district shall enter into a depository
	contract or contracts, bond or bonds, or other necessary
	instruments setting forth the duties and agreements pertaining to
	the depository and including any other information specified by the
	agency [, in a form and with the content prescribed by the State
	Board of Education].  The parties shall attach to the depository
	contract and incorporate by reference the bid or proposal of the
	depository.
	(e)  A copy of a direct deposit form that identifies a
	depository [the depository contract and bond] shall be filed with
	the agency.
	SECTION 92.  Section 52.31, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 52.31.  PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS. In this
	subchapter, "participating higher educational institution" means a
	public or private nonprofit institution of higher education,
	including a junior college, accredited by a recognized accrediting
	agency as defined by Section 61.003, or a regional education
	service center or other entity that offers an alternative educator
	certification program approved by the commissioner of education
	[State Board for Educator Certification], that:
	(1)  is located in this state; and
	(2)  complies with the provisions of this chapter and
	the rules of the board promulgated in accordance with this chapter.
	SECTION 93.  Section 52.32(b), Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)  If a loan applicant is enrolled at a career school or
	college in a degree program that is approved by the board or at a
	regional education service center or other entity in an alternative
	educator certification program that is approved by the commissioner
	of education [State Board for Educator Certification], the
	applicant is not required to provide evidence that the applicant is
	unable to obtain a guaranteed student loan from a commercial lender
	under Subsection (a-1).
	SECTION 94.  Section 61.0514, Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 61.0514.  INTEGRATED COURSEWORK. The board, with the
	cooperation and advice of the commissioner of education [State
	Board for Educator Certification], shall adopt educator
	preparation coursework guidelines that promote, to the greatest
	extent practicable, the integration of subject matter knowledge
	with classroom teaching strategies and techniques in order to
	maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of coursework required
	for certification under Subchapter B, Chapter 21.
	SECTION 95.  Section 61.076(b), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  The P-16 Council is composed of the commissioner of
	education, the commissioner of higher education, the executive
	director of the Texas Workforce Commission, [the executive director
	of the State Board for Educator Certification,] and the
	commissioner of assistive and rehabilitative services.  The
	commissioner of higher education and the commissioner of education
	shall serve as co-chairs of the council.
	SECTION 96.  Section 61.0761(a), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  The P-16 Council established under Section 61.076 shall
	recommend to the commissioner of education and the board a college
	readiness and success strategic action plan to increase student
	success and decrease the number of students enrolling in
	developmental course work in institutions of higher education.  The
	plan must include:
	(1)  definitions, as determined by the P-16 Council in
	coordination with the State Board of Education, of the standards
	and expectations for college readiness that address the knowledge
	and skills expected of students to perform successfully in
	entry-level courses offered at institutions of higher education;
	(2)  a description of the components of a P-16
	individualized graduation plan sufficient to prepare students for
	college success;
	(3)  the manner in which the Texas Education Agency
	should provide model curricula for use as a reference tool by school
	district employees;
	(4)  recommendations to the Texas Education Agency, the
	State Board of Education, and the board regarding strategies for
	decreasing the number of students enrolling in developmental course
	work at institutions of higher education;
	(5)  recommendations [to the State Board for Educator
	Certification] regarding changes to educator certification and
	professional development requirements that contribute to the
	ability of public school teachers to prepare students for higher
	education; and
	(6)  any other elements that the commissioner of
	education and the board suggest for inclusion in the plan.
	SECTION 97.  Section 61.0766(b), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  Before an institution of higher education establishes
	an academy under this section, the institution must apply through a
	competitive process, as determined by the board, and meet any
	requirements established by the board for designation as an academy
	under this section and  continued funding.  The institution of
	higher education must have a teacher preparation program approved
	by the commissioner of education [State Board for Educator
	Certification] or be affiliated with a program approved by the
	commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification].
	SECTION 98.  Section 61.9832(a), Education Code, as added by
	Chapter 1229 (S.B. 1720), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
	Session, 2013, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  To be eligible to receive loan repayment assistance
	under this subchapter, a person must:
	(1)  apply annually for the loan repayment assistance
	in the manner prescribed by the board;
	(2)  be a United States citizen;
	(3)  have completed an undergraduate or graduate
	program in mathematics or science;
	(4)  have a cumulative grade point average of at least
	3.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent;
	(5)  be certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, to
	teach mathematics or science in a public school in this state or be
	enrolled in an educator preparation program to obtain that
	certification that is accredited by the commissioner of education
	[State Board for Educator Certification] and is provided by an
	institution of higher education or by a private or independent
	institution of higher education in this state;
	(6)  have been employed for at least one year as a
	teacher teaching mathematics or science at a public school located
	in a school district that receives funding under Title I,
	Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section
	6301 et seq.);
	(7)  not be in default on any other education loan;
	(8)  not receive any other state or federal loan
	repayment assistance, including a Teacher Education Assistance for
	College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant or teacher loan
	forgiveness;
	(9)  enter into an agreement with the board under
	Subsection (c); and
	(10)  comply with any other requirement adopted by the
	board under this subchapter.
	SECTION 99.  Section 61.9834, Education Code, as added by
	Chapter 1229 (S.B. 1720), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
	Session, 2013, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 61.9834.  EXCEPTION TO CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT
	REQUIREMENT.  The board shall excuse an otherwise eligible person
	from a requirement imposed by Section 61.9832 that the employment
	qualifying the person for loan repayment assistance be performed in
	consecutive years if the break in employment is a result of the
	person's:
	(1)  full-time enrollment in a course of study related
	to the field of teaching that is approved by the commissioner of
	education [State Board for Educator Certification] and provided by
	an institution of higher education or by a private or independent
	institution of higher education in this state;
	(2)  service on active duty as a member of the armed
	forces of the United States, including as a member of a reserve or
	National Guard unit called for active duty;
	(3)  temporary total disability for a period of not
	more than 36 months as established by the affidavit of a qualified
	physician;
	(4)  inability to secure employment as required by
	Section 61.9832 for a period not to exceed 12 months, because of
	care required by a disabled spouse or child;
	(5)  inability, despite reasonable efforts, to secure,
	for a single period not to exceed 12 months, employment as required
	by Section 61.9832; or
	(6)  satisfaction of the provisions of any other
	exception adopted by the board for purposes of this section.
	SECTION 100.  Section 1001.254(a), Education Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A temporary driver education instructor license may be
	issued authorizing a person to teach or provide classroom driver
	education training if the person:
	(1)  has completed the educational requirements
	prescribed by Section 1001.253(d)(1);
	(2)  holds a Texas teaching certificate with an
	effective date before February 1, 1986;
	(3)  meets all license requirements, other than
	successful completion of the examination required under rules
	adopted by the commissioner of education [State Board for Educator
	Certification] to revalidate the teaching certificate; and
	(4)  demonstrates, in a manner prescribed by the
	commissioner, the intention to comply with the examination
	requirement at the first available opportunity.
	SECTION 101.  Articles 15.27(a) and (l), Code of Criminal
	Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A law enforcement agency that arrests any person or
	refers a child to the office or official designated by the juvenile
	board who the agency believes is enrolled as a student in a public
	primary or secondary school, for an offense listed in Subsection
	(h), shall attempt to ascertain whether the person is so enrolled.
	If the law enforcement agency ascertains that the individual is
	enrolled as a student in a public primary or secondary school, the
	head of the agency or a person designated by the head of the agency
	shall orally notify the superintendent or a person designated by
	the superintendent in the school district in which the student is
	enrolled of that arrest or referral within 24 hours after the arrest
	or referral is made, or before the next school day, whichever is
	earlier.  If the law enforcement agency cannot ascertain whether
	the individual is enrolled as a student, the head of the agency or a
	person designated by the head of the agency shall orally notify the
	superintendent or a person designated by the superintendent in the
	school district in which the student is believed to be enrolled of
	that arrest or detention within 24 hours after the arrest or
	detention, or before the next school day, whichever is earlier.  If
	the individual is a student, the superintendent or the
	superintendent's designee shall immediately notify all
	instructional and support personnel who have responsibility for
	supervision of the student.  All personnel shall keep the
	information received in this subsection confidential.  The
	commissioner of education [State Board for Educator Certification]
	may revoke or suspend the certification of personnel who
	intentionally violate this subsection.  Within seven days after the
	date the oral notice is given, the head of the law enforcement
	agency or the person designated by the head of the agency shall mail
	written notification, marked "PERSONAL and CONFIDENTIAL" on the
	mailing envelope, to the superintendent or the person designated by
	the superintendent.  The written notification must include the
	facts contained in the oral notification, the name of the person who
	was orally notified, and the date and time of the oral notification.
	Both the oral and written notice shall contain sufficient details
	of the arrest or referral and the acts allegedly committed by the
	student to enable the superintendent or the superintendent's
	designee to determine whether there is a reasonable belief that the
	student has engaged in conduct defined as a felony offense by the
	Penal Code.  The information contained in the notice shall be
	considered by the superintendent or the superintendent's designee
	in making such a determination.
	(l)  If a school district board of trustees learns of a
	failure by the superintendent of the district or a district
	principal to provide a notice required under Subsection (a), (a-1),
	or (b), the board of trustees shall report the failure to the
	commissioner of education [State Board for Educator
	Certification].  If the governing body of a private primary or
	secondary school learns of a failure by the principal of the school
	to provide a notice required under Subsection (e), and the
	principal holds a certificate issued under Subchapter B, Chapter
	21, Education Code, the governing body shall report the failure to
	the commissioner of education [State Board for Educator
	Certification].
	SECTION 102.  Article 42.018(b), Code of Criminal Procedure,
	is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  Not later than the fifth day after the date a person who
	holds a certificate issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21,
	Education Code, is convicted or granted deferred adjudication on
	the basis of an offense, the clerk of the court in which the
	conviction or deferred adjudication is entered shall provide to the
	commissioner of education [State Board for Educator Certification]
	written notice of the person's conviction or deferred adjudication,
	including the offense on which the conviction or deferred
	adjudication was based.
	SECTION 103.  Sections 261.308(d) and (e), Family Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(d)  The department shall release information regarding a
	person alleged to have committed abuse or neglect to persons who
	have control over the person's access to children, including, as
	appropriate, the Texas Education Agency, [the State Board for
	Educator Certification,] the local school board or the school's
	governing body, the superintendent of the school district, or the
	school principal or director if the department determines that:
	(1)  the person alleged to have committed abuse or
	neglect poses a substantial and immediate risk of harm to one or
	more children outside the family of a child who is the subject of
	the investigation; and
	(2)  the release of the information is necessary to
	assist in protecting one or more children from the person alleged to
	have committed abuse or neglect.
	(e)  On request, the department shall release information
	about a person alleged to have committed abuse or neglect to the
	commissioner of education [State Board for Educator Certification]
	if the commissioner [board] has a reasonable basis for believing
	that the information is necessary to assist the commissioner
	[board] in protecting children from the person alleged to have
	committed abuse or neglect.
	SECTION 104.  Section 261.406(b), Family Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)  The department shall send a copy of the completed report
	of the department's investigation to the Texas Education Agency,
	[the State Board for Educator Certification,] the local school
	board or the school's governing body, the superintendent of the
	school district, and the school principal or director, unless the
	principal or director is alleged to have committed the abuse or
	neglect, for appropriate action.  On request, the department shall
	provide a copy of the report of investigation to the parent,
	managing conservator, or legal guardian of a child who is the
	subject of the investigation and to the person alleged to have
	committed the abuse or neglect.  The report of investigation shall
	be edited to protect the identity of the persons who made the report
	of abuse or neglect.  Other than the persons authorized by the
	section to receive a copy of the report, Section 261.201(b) applies
	to the release of the report relating to the investigation of abuse
	or neglect under this section and to the identity of the person who
	made the report of abuse or neglect.
	SECTION 105.  Section 411.081(i), Government Code, as
	amended by Chapters 42 (S.B. 966), 266 (H.B. 729), and 583 (S.B.
	869), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, is
	reenacted and amended to read as follows:
	(i)  A criminal justice agency may disclose criminal history
	record information that is the subject of an order of nondisclosure
	under Subsection (d) to the following noncriminal justice agencies
	or entities only:
	(1)  [the State Board for Educator Certification;
	[(2)]  a school district, charter school, private
	school, regional education service center, commercial
	transportation company, or education shared service arrangement;
	(2) [(3)]  the Texas Medical Board;
	(3) [(4)]  the Texas School for the Blind and Visually
	Impaired;
	(4) [(5)]  the Board of Law Examiners;
	(5) [(6)]  the State Bar of Texas;
	(6) [(7)]  a district court regarding a petition for
	name change under Subchapter B, Chapter 45, Family Code;
	(7) [(8)]  the Texas School for the Deaf;
	(8) [(9)]  the Department of Family and Protective
	Services;
	(9) [(10)]  the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
	(10) [(11)]  the Department of Assistive and
	Rehabilitative Services;
	(11) [(12)]  the Department of State Health Services, a
	local mental health service, a local mental retardation authority,
	or a community center providing services to persons with mental
	illness or retardation;
	(12) [(13)]  the Texas Private Security Board;
	(13) [(14)]  a municipal or volunteer fire department;
	(14) [(15)]  the Texas Board of Nursing;
	(15) [(16)]  a safe house providing shelter to children
	in harmful situations;
	(16) [(17)]  a public or nonprofit hospital or hospital
	district, or a facility as defined by Section 250.001, Health and
	Safety Code;
	(17) [(18)]  the securities commissioner, the banking
	commissioner, the savings and mortgage lending commissioner, the
	consumer credit commissioner, or the credit union commissioner;
	(18) [(19)]  the Texas State Board of Public
	Accountancy;
	(19) [(20)]  the Texas Department of Licensing and
	Regulation;
	(20) [(21)]  the Health and Human Services Commission;
	(21) [(22)]  the Department of Aging and Disability
	Services;
	(22) [(23)]  the Texas Education Agency;
	(23) [(24)]  the Judicial Branch Certification
	Commission;
	(24) [(25)]  a county clerk's office in relation to a
	proceeding for the appointment of a guardian under Title 3, Estates
	[Chapter XIII, Texas Probate] Code;
	(25) [(26)]  the Department of Information Resources
	but only regarding an employee, applicant for employment,
	contractor, subcontractor, intern, or volunteer who provides
	network security services under Chapter 2059 to:
	(A)  the Department of Information Resources; or
	(B)  a contractor or subcontractor of the
	Department of Information Resources;
	(26) [(27)]  the Texas Department of Insurance;
	(27) [(28)]  the Teacher Retirement System of Texas;
	and
	(28) [(30)]  the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
	SECTION 106.  Section 411.0901, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 411.0901.  ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD
	INFORMATION: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY. (a) The Texas Education
	Agency is entitled to obtain criminal history record information
	maintained by the department about a person who:
	(1)  has applied to the commissioner of education for a
	certificate under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code;
	(2)  is employed or is an applicant for employment by a
	school district or open-enrollment charter school;
	(3) [(2)]  is employed or is an applicant for
	employment by a shared services arrangement, if the employee's or
	applicant's duties are or will be performed on school property or at
	another location where students are regularly present; or
	(4) [(3)]  is employed or is an applicant for
	employment by an entity that contracts with a school district,
	open-enrollment charter school, or shared services arrangement if:
	(A)  the employee or applicant has or will have
	continuing duties relating to the contracted services; and
	(B)  the employee or applicant has or will have
	direct contact with students.
	(b)  Criminal history record information obtained by the
	agency in the original form or any subsequent form:
	(1)  may be used only for a purpose authorized by the
	Education Code;
	(2)  may not be released to any person except:
	(A)  the person who is the subject of the
	information;
	(B)  [the State Board for Educator Certification;
	[(C)]  a local or regional educational entity as
	provided by Section 411.097; or
	(C) [(D)]  by court order;
	(3)  is not subject to disclosure as provided by
	Chapter 552; and
	(4)  shall be destroyed by the agency after the
	information is used for the authorized purposes.
	(d)  The department shall notify the agency of the arrest of
	any educator, as defined by Section 5.001, Education Code, who has
	fingerprints on file with the department.  Any record of the
	notification and any information contained in the notification are
	not subject to disclosure as provided by Chapter 552.
	SECTION 107.  Section 411.097(d), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(d)  Criminal history record information obtained by a
	school district, charter school, private school, service center,
	commercial transportation company, or shared services arrangement
	in the original form or any subsequent form:
	(1)  may not be released to any person except:
	(A)  the individual who is the subject of the
	information;
	(B)  the Texas Education Agency;
	(C)  [the State Board for Educator Certification;
	[(D)]  the chief personnel officer of the
	transportation company, if the information is obtained under
	Subsection (a)(2); or
	(D) [(E)]  by court order;
	(2)  is not subject to disclosure as provided by
	Chapter 552; and
	(3)  shall be destroyed by the school district, charter
	school, private school, service center, commercial transportation
	company, or shared services arrangement on the earlier of:
	(A)  the first anniversary of the date the
	information was originally obtained; or
	(B)  the date the information is used for the
	authorized purpose.
	SECTION 108.  Section 654.011(a), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The position classification plan and the salary rates
	and provisions in the General Appropriations Act apply to all
	hourly, part-time, temporary, and regular, full-time salaried
	employments in the state departments, agencies, or judicial
	entities specified in the articles of the General Appropriations
	Act that appropriate money to:
	(1)  general government agencies;
	(2)  health and human services agencies;
	(3)  the judiciary, except for judges, district
	attorneys, and assistant district attorneys;
	(4)  public safety and criminal justice agencies;
	(5)  natural resources agencies;
	(6)  business and economic development agencies;
	(7)  regulatory agencies; and
	(8)  agencies of public education, but only the Texas
	Education Agency, the Texas School for the Blind and Visually
	Impaired, [the State Board for Educator Certification,] and the
	Texas School for the Deaf.
	SECTION 109.  Section 821.001(7), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(7)  "Employer" means any agents or agencies in the
	state responsible for public education, including the governing
	board of any school district created under the laws of this state,
	any county school board, the board of trustees, the board of regents
	of any college or university, or any other legally constituted
	board or agency of any public school, but excluding the State Board
	of Education and[,] the Texas Education Agency[, and the State
	Board for Educator Certification].
	SECTION 110.  Section 821.103, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 821.103.  CANCELLATION OF TEACHER CERTIFICATE. (a)
	After receiving notice from the board of trustees of an offense
	under Section 821.101 and after complying with Chapter 2001 and
	rules adopted by the commissioner of education [State Board for
	Educator Certification], the commissioner [State Board for
	Educator Certification] may cancel the teacher certificate of a
	person if the commissioner [State Board for Educator Certification]
	determines that the person committed the offense.
	(b)  The commissioner of education [executive director of
	the State Board for Educator Certification] may enter into an
	agreed sanction.
	(c)  A criminal prosecution of an offender under Section
	821.101 is not a prerequisite to action by the Texas Education
	Agency [State Board for Educator Certification] or the commissioner
	of education [its executive director].
	SECTION 111.  Section 2054.352(a), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The following licensing entities shall participate in
	the system established under Section 2054.353:
	(1)  Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners;
	(2)  Judicial Branch Certification Commission;
	(3)  State Board of Dental Examiners;
	(4)  Texas Funeral Service Commission;
	(5)  Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying;
	(6)  Texas Medical Board;
	(7)  Texas Board of Nursing;
	(8)  Texas Optometry Board;
	(9)  Department of Agriculture, for licenses issued
	under Chapter 1951, Occupations Code;
	(10)  Texas State Board of Pharmacy;
	(11)  Executive Council of Physical Therapy and
	Occupational Therapy Examiners;
	(12)  Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners;
	(13)  Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners;
	(14)  Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists;
	(15)  State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners;
	(16)  Texas Real Estate Commission;
	(17)  Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification
	Board;
	(18)  Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
	(19)  Texas State Board of Public Accountancy;
	(20)  commissioner of education, for certificates
	issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code [State Board
	for Educator Certification];
	(21)  Texas Board of Professional Engineers;
	(22)  Department of State Health Services;
	(23)  Texas Board of Architectural Examiners;
	(24)  Texas Racing Commission;
	(25)  Texas Commission on Law Enforcement; and
	(26)  Texas Private Security Board.
	SECTION 112.  Section 48.102(a), Human Resources Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The department shall send a written report of the
	department's investigation of alleged abuse, neglect, or
	exploitation of a disabled adult at a school, as appropriate, to the
	Texas Education Agency, [the agency responsible for teacher
	certification,] the local school board or the school's governing
	body, and the school principal or director, unless the principal or
	director is alleged to have committed the abuse, neglect, or
	exploitation. The entity to which the report is sent shall take
	appropriate action.
	SECTION 113.  Section 53.021(e), Occupations Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(e)  Subsection (c) does not apply if the person is an
	applicant for or the holder of a license that authorizes the person
	to provide:
	(1)  law enforcement or public health, education, or
	safety services; or
	(2)  financial services in an industry regulated by a
	person listed in Section 411.081(i)(17) [411.081(i)(19)],
	Government Code.
	SECTION 114.  Section 504.002(b), Occupations Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  This chapter does not apply to an activity or service of
	a person who:
	(1)  is employed as a counselor by a federal
	institution and is providing chemical dependency counseling within
	the scope of the person's employment;
	(2)  except as provided by Section 504.1515, is a
	student, intern, or trainee pursuing a supervised course of study
	in counseling at a regionally accredited institution of higher
	education or training institution, if the person:
	(A)  is designated as a "counselor intern"; and
	(B)  is engaging in the activity or providing the
	service as part of the course of study;
	(3)  is not a resident of this state, if the person:
	(A)  engages in the activity or provides the
	service in this state for not more than 30 days during any year; and
	(B)  is authorized to engage in the activity or
	provide the service under the law of the state of the person's
	residence;
	(4)  is a licensed physician, psychologist,
	professional counselor, or social worker;
	(5)  is a religious leader of a congregation providing
	pastoral chemical dependency counseling within the scope of the
	person's duties;
	(6)  is working for or providing counseling with a
	program exempt under Subchapter C, Chapter 464, Health and Safety
	Code;
	(7)  is a school counselor certified by the
	commissioner of education [State Board for Educator
	Certification]; or
	(8)  provides chemical dependency counseling through a
	program or in a facility that receives funding from the Texas
	Department of Criminal Justice and who is credentialed as:
	(A)  a certified criminal justice addictions
	professional by the International Certification and Reciprocity
	Consortium; or
	(B)  having certified criminal justice
	professional applicant status issued by the Texas Certification
	Board of Addiction Professionals.
	SECTION 115.  (a) The following provisions of the Education
	Code are repealed:
	(1)  Section 7.009;
	(2)  Sections 7.021(b) and (c);
	(3)  Sections 7.055(b)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6),
	(7), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19),
	(20), (21), (22), (23), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), (29), (30),
	(31), (32), (34), (35), (36), (37), (38), (39), and (41);
	(4)  Section 7.055(c);
	(5)  Section 11.201(c);
	(6)  Section 11.254;
	(7)  Section 13.052;
	(8)  Section 21.007(a);
	(9)  Sections 21.032, 21.033, 21.034, 21.035, 21.036,
	21.037, and 21.038;
	(10)  Section 21.041(a);
	(11)  Sections 21.042 and 21.043;
	(12)  Sections 21.254(c) and (d);
	(13)  Section 21.4541;
	(14)  Section 22.0831(a);
	(15)  Section 22.08391(b);
	(16)  Section 25.001(e);
	(17)  Sections 29.095, 29.096, 29.097, 29.098, and
	29.099;
	(18)  Section 29.917;
	(19)  Section 34.015;
	(20)  Section 39.037(g);
	(21)  Sections 39.204(b), (c), (d), and (e);
	(22)  the heading to Subchapter M, Chapter 39;
	(23)  Sections 39.401, 39.402, 39.403, 39.404, 39.405,
	39.406, 39.407, 39.408, 39.410, 39.411, 39.412, 39.414, 39.415, and
	39.416; and
	(24)  Sections 42.152(q), (q-1), (q-2), (q-3), (q-4),
	and (r).
	(b)  Section 411.090, Government Code, is repealed.
	SECTION 116.  (a)  The State Board for Educator
	Certification is abolished September 1, 2015. On that date, all
	powers, duties, obligations, rights, contracts, leases, records,
	personnel, property, and unspent and unobligated appropriations
	and other funds of the State Board for Educator Certification are
	transferred to the Texas Education Agency. Before that date, the
	Texas Education Agency, with the agreement of the State Board for
	Educator Certification, may transfer any records, personnel, or
	property of the State Board for Educator Certification to the Texas
	Education Agency in preparation for the transfer provided for in
	this Act.
	(b)  The abolishment of the State Board for Educator
	Certification does not affect the validity of a right, privilege,
	or obligation accrued, a contract or acquisition made, any
	liability incurred, a certificate issued, a penalty, forfeiture, or
	punishment assessed, a rule adopted, a proceeding, investigation,
	or remedy begun, a decision made, or other action taken by or in
	connection with the State Board for Educator Certification. A
	certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification
	under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, before September 1,
	2015, is considered a certificate issued by the Texas Education
	Agency.
	(c)  All rules, policies, procedures, and decisions of the
	State Board for Educator Certification are continued in effect as
	rules, policies, procedures, and decisions of the commissioner of
	education and the Texas Education Agency until superseded by a rule
	or other appropriate action of the Texas Education Agency.
	(d)  After the effective date of this Act, the commissioner
	of education may adopt a rule proposed by the State Board for
	Educator Certification before the effective date of this Act.
	(e)  Any action or proceeding before the State Board for
	Educator Certification is transferred without change in status to
	the commissioner of education and the Texas Education Agency, and
	the commissioner and the agency assume, without a change in status,
	the position of the State Board for Educator Certification in any
	action or proceeding to which the State Board for Educator
	Certification is a party.
	SECTION 117.  To the extent of any conflict, this Act
	prevails over another Act of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session,
	2015, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in
	enacted codes.
	SECTION 118.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.