88R13207 DIO-F
 
  By: LaMantia, Blanco S.B. No. 2231
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to teacher certification examinations in bilingual target
  language proficiency and to certification requirements for
  teachers in bilingual education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 29.061, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (b-3), (b-4), and (b-5) to read as follows:
         (b-3)  For a bilingual target language proficiency
  certification examination prescribed under Section 21.048(a), the
  commissioner shall adopt satisfactory levels of performance
  differentiated for each grade level based on the level of language
  proficiency required to teach that language in a bilingual
  education program at that grade level. An educator preparation
  program may not be penalized under Section 21.045 for a candidate
  who meets the lowest satisfactory level of performance adopted
  under this subsection on a bilingual target language proficiency
  certification examination, regardless of the grade level for which
  the candidate was seeking certification.
         (b-4)  Except as provided by Subsection (b-5), a teacher may
  only be assigned to a bilingual education program, or, for a
  bilingual education program described by Subsection (b-1), for the
  component of the program provided in a language other than English,
  at:
               (1)  a grade level for which the teacher has achieved on
  the applicable bilingual target language proficiency certification
  examination the satisfactory level of performance for that grade
  level adopted by the commissioner under Subsection (b-3); or
               (2)  a grade level below the grade level described by
  Subdivision (1).
         (b-5)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b-4), a teacher
  appropriately certified in bilingual education before January 1,
  2024, may be assigned to a bilingual education program at any grade
  level.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2024, the commissioner
  of education shall adopt the satisfactory levels of performance as
  required by Section 29.061(b-3), Education Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  Section 29.061(b-4), Education Code, as added by
  this Act, applies beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.