88S30326 TSS-D
	By: Creighton	S.B. No. 58

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the rights and certification of public school educators
	and assistance provided to public schools by the Texas Education
	Agency related to public school educators and to certain allotments
	under the Foundation School Program.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 11.1513, Education Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (l) to read as follows:
	(l)  The employment policy must provide that:
	(1)  before the beginning of each school year, the
	district shall provide a duty calendar for certain professional
	staff as required by Section 11.15131; and
	(2)  for purposes of determining the amount of a
	reduction in the salary of a classroom teacher, full-time
	counselor, or full-time librarian for unpaid leave, the employee's
	daily rate of pay is computed by dividing the employee's annual
	salary by the number of days the employee is expected to work for
	that school year as provided by the district's duty calendar
	adopted under Section 11.15131.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 11.15131 to read as follows:
	Sec. 11.15131.  DUTY CALENDAR FOR CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL
	STAFF. (a)  In this section, "supplemental duty" means a duty other
	than a duty assigned under an employee's contract that is generally
	expected to be performed during an instructional day and which may
	be governed by an agreement, other than the employee's contract,
	between the district and the employee.
	(b)  Not later than the 15th day before the first
	instructional day of each school year, the board of trustees of a
	school district shall adopt and provide to each classroom teacher,
	full-time counselor, and full-time librarian employed by the
	district a calendar that specifies the days each employee is
	expected to work for that school year, including the days on which
	the employee is expected to perform supplemental duties for more
	than 30 minutes outside of the instructional day, and except for
	days on which the employee may be required to spend time on an
	unanticipated duty outside of the instructional day to comply with
	a state or federal law.
	SECTION 3.  Section 21.054, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsections (a) and (i) and adding Subsection (i-1) to
	read as follows:
	(a)  The board shall propose rules establishing a process for
	identifying continuing education courses and programs that fulfill
	educators' continuing education requirements, including
	opportunities for educators to receive micro-credentials, as
	provided by Subsection (i), in:
	(1)  fields of study related to the educator's
	certification class; or
	(2)  digital teaching [as provided by Subsection (i)].
	(i)  The board shall propose rules establishing a program to
	issue micro-credentials in fields of study related to an educator's
	certification class or in digital teaching. The agency shall
	approve continuing education providers to offer micro-credential
	courses. A micro-credential received by an educator shall be
	recorded on the agency's Educator Certification Online System
	(ECOS) and included as part of the educator's public certification
	records.
	(i-1)  In proposing rules under Subsection (i) for
	micro-credentials related to digital teaching, the board shall
	engage relevant stakeholders.
	SECTION 4.  Section 21.105, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (g) to read as
	follows:
	(c)  Subject to Subsections (e), [and] (f), and (g), on
	written complaint by the employing district, the 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.
	(g)  The State Board for Educator Certification may not
	impose a sanction under Subsection (c) against a teacher who
	relinquishes a position under a probationary contract and leaves
	the employment of the district after the 45th day before the first
	day of instruction of the upcoming school year in violation of
	Subsection (a) and without the consent of the board of trustees
	under Subsection (b) if the teacher's failure to comply with
	Subsection (a) was due to:
	(1)  a serious illness or health condition of the
	teacher or a close family member of the teacher;
	(2)  the teacher's relocation because the teacher's
	spouse or a partner who resides with the teacher changes employers;
	(3)  a significant change in the needs of the teacher's
	family in a manner that requires the teacher to:
	(A)  relocate; or
	(B)  forgo employment during a period of required
	employment under the teacher's contract; or
	(4)  the teacher's reasonable belief that the teacher
	had written permission from the school district's administration to
	resign.
	SECTION 5.  Section 21.160, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (g) to read as
	follows:
	(c)  Subject to Subsections (e), [and] (f), and (g), on
	written complaint by the employing district, the 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.
	(g)  The State Board for Educator Certification may not
	impose a sanction under Subsection (c) against a teacher who
	relinquishes a position under a continuing contract and leaves the
	employment of the district after the 45th day before the first day
	of instruction of the upcoming school year in violation of
	Subsection (a) and without the consent of the board of trustees
	under Subsection (b) if the teacher's failure to comply with
	Subsection (a) was due to:
	(1)  a serious illness or health condition of the
	teacher or a close family member of the teacher;
	(2)  the teacher's relocation because the teacher's
	spouse or a partner who resides with the teacher changes employers;
	(3)  a significant change in the needs of the teacher's
	family in a manner that requires the teacher to:
	(A)  relocate; or
	(B)  forgo employment during a period of required
	employment under the teacher's contract; or
	(4)  the teacher's reasonable belief that the teacher
	had written permission from the school district's administration to
	resign.
	SECTION 6.  Section 21.210, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (g) to read as
	follows:
	(c)  Subject to Subsections (e), [and] (f), and (g), on
	written complaint by the employing district, the 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.
	(g)  The State Board for Educator Certification may not
	impose a sanction under Subsection (c) against a teacher who
	relinquishes a position under a term contract and leaves the
	employment of the district after the 45th day before the first day
	of instruction of the upcoming school year in violation of
	Subsection (a) and without the consent of the board of trustees
	under Subsection (b) if the teacher's failure to comply with
	Subsection (a) was due to:
	(1)  a serious illness or health condition of the
	teacher or a close family member of the teacher;
	(2)  the teacher's relocation because the teacher's
	spouse or a partner who resides with the teacher changes employers;
	(3)  a significant change in the needs of the teacher's
	family in a manner that requires the teacher to:
	(A)  relocate; or
	(B)  forgo employment during a period of required
	employment under the teacher's contract; or
	(4)  the teacher's reasonable belief that the teacher
	had written permission from the school district's administration to
	resign.
	SECTION 7.  Section 21.257, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
	follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (f), not [Not] later
	than the 60th day after the date on which the commissioner receives
	a teacher's written request for a hearing, the hearing examiner
	shall complete the hearing and make a written recommendation that:
	(1)  includes proposed findings of fact and conclusions
	of law; and
	(2)  may include a proposal for granting relief.
	(f)  The hearing examiner may dismiss a hearing before
	completing the hearing or making a written recommendation if:
	(1)  the teacher requests the dismissal;
	(2)  the school district withdraws the proposed
	decision that is the basis of the hearing; or
	(3)  the teacher and school district request the
	dismissal after reaching a settlement regarding the proposed
	decision that is the basis of the hearing.
	SECTION 8.  Sections 21.3521(a), (c), and (e), Education
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Subject to Subsection (b), a school district or
	open-enrollment charter school may designate a classroom teacher as
	a master, exemplary, [or] recognized, or acknowledged teacher for a
	five-year period based on the results from single year or multiyear
	appraisals that comply with Section 21.351 or 21.352.
	(c)  Notwithstanding performance standards established
	under Subsection (b), a classroom teacher that holds a National
	Board Certification issued by the National Board for Professional
	Teaching Standards may be designated as nationally board certified
	[recognized].
	(e)  The agency shall develop and provide technical
	assistance for school districts and open-enrollment charter
	schools that request assistance in implementing a local optional
	teacher designation system, including:
	(1)  providing assistance in prioritizing high needs
	campuses;
	(2)  providing examples or models of local optional
	teacher designation systems to reduce the time required for a
	district or school to implement a teacher designation system;
	(3)  establishing partnerships between districts and
	schools that request assistance and districts and schools that have
	implemented a teacher designation system;
	(4)  applying the performance and validity standards
	established by the commissioner under Subsection (b);
	(5)  providing centralized support for the analysis of
	the results of assessment instruments administered to district
	students; and
	(6)  facilitating effective communication on and
	promotion of local optional teacher designation systems.
	SECTION 9.  Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Sections 21.416 and 21.417 to read as follows:
	Sec. 21.416.  EMPLOYED RETIREE TEACHER REIMBURSEMENT GRANT
	PROGRAM. (a)  From funds appropriated or otherwise available, the
	commissioner shall establish and administer a grant program to
	award funds to reimburse a school district, an open-enrollment
	charter school, the Windham School District, the Texas School for
	the Deaf, or the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
	that hires a teacher who retired before September 1, 2023, for the
	increased contributions to the Teacher Retirement System
	associated with hiring the retired teacher.
	(b)  In appropriating money for grants awarded under this
	section, the legislature may provide for, modify, or limit amounts
	appropriated for that purpose in the General Appropriations Act,
	including by:
	(1)  providing, notwithstanding Subsection (a), a date
	or date range other than September 1, 2023, before which a teacher
	must have retired for a school district, an open-enrollment charter
	school, the Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf,
	or the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired that hires
	the teacher to be eligible; or
	(2)  limiting eligibility to a district or school
	described by Subdivision (1) that hires a retired teacher:
	(A)  who holds a certain certification;
	(B)  to teach a certain subject or grade;
	(C)  in a certain geographical area; or
	(D)  to provide instruction to certain students,
	including to students with disabilities.
	(c)  The commissioner shall proportionally reduce the amount
	of funds awarded to school districts, open-enrollment charter
	schools, the Windham School District, the Texas School for the
	Deaf, and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired under
	this section if the number of grant applications by eligible
	districts or schools exceeds the number of grants the commissioner
	could award with the money appropriated or otherwise available for
	the purpose.
	(d)  A school district, an open-enrollment charter school,
	the Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf, or the
	Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired may use funds
	received under this section to make required payments under Section
	825.4092, Government Code.
	Sec. 21.417.  RESOURCES, INCLUDING LIABILITY INSURANCE, FOR
	CLASSROOM TEACHERS. (a)  From funds appropriated or otherwise
	available for the purpose, the agency shall contract with a third
	party to provide the following services for a classroom teacher
	employed under a probationary, continuing, or term contract:
	(1)  assistance in understanding the teacher's rights,
	duties, and benefits; and
	(2)  liability insurance to protect a teacher against
	liability to a third party based on conduct that the teacher
	allegedly engaged in during the course of the teacher's duties.
	(b)  A school district may not interfere with a classroom
	teacher's access to services provided under this section.
	(c)  A contract entered into by the agency to provide
	services under Subsection (a) must prohibit the entity with which
	the agency contracts from using funds received under the contract
	to engage in:
	(1)  conduct that a state agency using appropriated
	money is prohibited from engaging in under Chapter 556, Government
	Code; and
	(2)  political activities or advocacy for issues
	regarding public schools, including for boards of trustees of
	school districts or school districts.
	(d)  This section may not be interpreted to interfere with a
	classroom teacher's or other school district employee's exercise of
	a right protected by the First Amendment to the United States
	Constitution.
	SECTION 10.  Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Sections 21.466, 21.467, and 21.468 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 21.466.  TEACHER QUALITY ASSISTANCE. (a) From funds
	appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the agency
	shall develop training for and provide technical assistance to
	school districts and open-enrollment charter schools regarding:
	(1)  strategic compensation, staffing, and scheduling
	efforts that improve professional growth, teacher leadership
	opportunities, and staff retention;
	(2)  programs that encourage high school students or
	other members of the community in the area served by the district to
	become teachers, including available teacher apprenticeship
	programs; and
	(3)  programs or strategies that school leaders may use
	to establish clear and attainable behavior expectations while
	proactively supporting students.
	(b)  From funds appropriated or otherwise available, the
	agency shall provide grants to school districts and open-enrollment
	charter schools to implement initiatives developed under this
	section.
	Sec. 21.467.  TEACHER TIME STUDY. (a) From funds
	appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the agency
	shall develop and maintain a technical assistance program to
	support school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in:
	(1)  studying how the district's or school's staff and
	student schedules, required noninstructional duties for classroom
	teachers, and professional development requirements for educators
	are affecting the amount of time classroom teachers work each week;
	and
	(2)  refining the schedules for students or staff as
	necessary to ensure teachers have sufficient time during normal
	work hours to fulfill all job duties, including addressing the
	needs of students.
	(b)  The agency shall periodically make findings and
	recommendations for best practices publicly available using
	information from participating school districts and
	open-enrollment charter schools.
	Sec. 21.468.  TEACHER POSITION INFORMATION.  The agency
	shall collect data to address teacher retention and recruitment,
	including the classifications, grade levels, subject areas,
	duration, and other relevant data relating to vacancies in teaching
	positions.  The data may be collected through the Public Education
	Information Management System (PEIMS) or another electronic
	reporting mechanism, as determined by the agency.
	SECTION 11.  Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter R to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER R. TEXAS TEACHER RESIDENCY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
	Sec. 21.901.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
	(1)  "Board" means the State Board for Educator
	Certification.
	(2)  "Cooperating teacher" means a classroom teacher
	who:
	(A)  meets the qualifications for assignment as a
	mentor under Section 21.458; and
	(B)  is employed by a school district or
	open-enrollment charter school participating in a partnership
	program under this subchapter and paired with a partnership
	resident at the district or school.
	(3)  "Partnership program" means a Texas Teacher
	Residency Partnership Program established at a school district or
	open-enrollment charter school in accordance with this subchapter.
	(4)  "Partnership resident" means a person enrolled in
	a qualified educator preparation program participating in a
	partnership program as a candidate for educator certification.
	(5)  "Qualified educator preparation program" means an
	educator preparation program approved in accordance with rules
	proposed under Section 21.903.
	Sec. 21.902.  ESTABLISHMENT OF PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM. (a)
	The commissioner shall establish the Texas Teacher Residency
	Partnership Program to enable qualified educator preparation
	programs to form partnerships with school districts or
	open-enrollment charter schools to provide residency positions to
	partnership residents at the district or school.
	(b)  The partnership program must be designed to:
	(1)  allow partnership residents to receive
	field-based experience working with classroom teachers in
	prekindergarten through grade 12 classrooms; and
	(2)  gradually increase the amount of time a
	partnership resident spends engaging in instructional
	responsibilities, including observation, co-teaching, and
	lead-teaching responsibilities.
	Sec. 21.903.  QUALIFIED EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS. The
	board shall propose rules specifying the requirements for board
	approval of an educator preparation program as a qualified educator
	preparation program for purposes of this subchapter.  The rules
	must require an educator preparation program to:
	(1)  use research-based best practices for recruiting
	and admitting candidates into the educator preparation program to
	participate in the partnership program;
	(2)  integrate curriculum, classroom practice, and
	formal observation and feedback;
	(3)  use multiple assessments to measure a partnership
	resident's progress in the partnership program; and
	(4)  partner with a school district or open-enrollment
	charter school.
	Sec. 21.904.  REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS AND
	SCHOOLS. (a)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
	participating in the partnership program shall:
	(1)  enter into a written agreement with a qualified
	educator preparation program to:
	(A)  provide a partnership resident with at least
	one school year of clinical teaching in a residency position at the
	district or school in the subject area and grade level for which the
	resident seeks certification; and
	(B)  pair the partnership resident with a
	cooperating teacher;
	(2)  specify the amount of money the district receives
	under Section 48.157 that the district will provide to the program;
	(3)  only use money received under Section 48.157 to:
	(A)  implement the partnership program; and
	(B)  provide compensation to:
	(i)  partnership residents in residency
	positions at the district or school; and
	(ii)  cooperating teachers who are paired
	with partnership residents at the district or school;
	(4)  pay at least 50 percent of the compensation paid to
	partnership residents using money other than money received under
	Section 48.157; and
	(5)  provide any information required by the agency
	regarding the district's or school's implementation of the program.
	(b)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
	only pair a partnership resident with a cooperating teacher who
	agrees to participate in that role in a partnership program at the
	district or school partnership program.
	(c)  A partnership resident may not serve as a teacher of
	record, as that term is defined by Section 21.051.
	Sec. 21.905.  RESIDENCY EDUCATOR CERTIFICATE. The board
	shall propose rules specifying the requirements for the issuance of
	a residency educator certificate to a candidate who has
	successfully completed a qualified educator preparation program
	under Section 21.903.
	Sec. 21.906.  AGENCY SUPPORT. The agency shall provide
	technical assistance, planning, and support to school districts,
	open-enrollment charter schools, and qualified educator
	preparation programs, which must include:
	(1)  providing model forms and agreements a district,
	school, or educator preparation program may use to comply with the
	requirements of this subchapter; and
	(2)  support for district and school strategic staffing
	and compensation models to incentivize participation in a
	partnership program.
	Sec. 21.907.  AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT CERTAIN FUNDS. The
	commissioner may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations
	from public and private entities to use for the purposes of this
	subchapter.
	Sec. 21.908.  RULES. (a) The board shall propose rules
	necessary to implement this subchapter, including rules under
	Sections 21.903 and 21.905.
	(b)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
	implement this subchapter.
	SECTION 12.  The heading to Section 22.001, Education Code,
	is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 22.001.  SALARY DEDUCTIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL OR OTHER
	DUES.
	SECTION 13.  Sections 22.001(a) and (b), Education Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A school district employee is entitled to have an amount
	deducted from the employee's salary for membership fees or dues to a
	professional organization or an entity providing services to
	classroom teachers under Section 21.417.  The employee must:
	(1)  file with the district a signed written request
	identifying the organization or entity [and specifying the number
	of pay periods per year the deductions are to be made]; and
	(2)  inform the district of the total amount of the fees
	and dues for each year or have the organization or entity notify the
	district of the amount.
	(b)  The district shall deduct the total amount of the fees
	or dues for a year in equal amounts per pay period [for the number of
	periods specified by the employee].  The district shall notify the
	employee not later than the 45th day after the district receives a
	request under Subsection (a) of the number of pay periods annually
	from which the district will deduct the fees or dues.  The
	deductions shall be made until the employee requests in writing
	that the deductions be discontinued.
	SECTION 14.  Section 29.153(b), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten
	class under this section if the child is at least three years of age
	and:
	(1)  is unable to speak and comprehend the English
	language;
	(2)  is educationally disadvantaged;
	(3)  is homeless, regardless of the residence of the
	child, of either parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or
	other person having lawful control of the child;
	(4)  is the child of an active duty member of the armed
	forces of the United States, including the state military forces or
	a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active
	duty by proper authority;
	(5)  is the child of a member of the armed forces of the
	United States, including the state military forces or a reserve
	component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while
	serving on active duty;
	(6)  is or ever has been in:
	(A)  the conservatorship of the Department of
	Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held
	as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or
	(B)  foster care in another state or territory, if
	the child resides in this state; [or]
	(7)  is the child of a person eligible for the Star of
	Texas Award as:
	(A)  a peace officer under Section 3106.002,
	Government Code;
	(B)  a firefighter under Section 3106.003,
	Government Code; or
	(C)  an emergency medical first responder under
	Section 3106.004, Government Code; or
	(8)  is the child of a person employed as a classroom
	teacher at a public primary or secondary school in the school
	district that offers a prekindergarten class under this section.
	SECTION 15.  Section 37.002, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsections (b), (c), and (d) and adding Subsections
	(b-2), (e-1), and (f) to read as follows:
	(b)  A teacher may remove from class a student who:
	(1)  interferes [who has been documented by the teacher
	to repeatedly interfere] with the teacher's ability to communicate
	effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of
	the student's classmates to learn; [or]
	(2)  demonstrates [whose] behavior that is unruly,
	disruptive, or abusive toward the teacher, another adult, or
	another student; or
	(3)  engages in conduct that constitutes bullying, as
	defined by Section 37.0832 [determines is so unruly, disruptive, or
	abusive that it seriously interferes with the teacher's ability to
	communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the
	ability of the student's classmates to learn].
	(b-2)  A teacher, campus behavior coordinator, or other
	appropriate administrator shall notify a parent or person standing
	in parental relation to a student of the removal of a student under
	this section.
	(c)  If a teacher removes a student from class under
	Subsection (b), the principal may place the student into another
	appropriate classroom, into in-school suspension, or into a
	disciplinary alternative education program as provided by Section
	37.008. The principal may not return the student to that teacher's
	class without the teacher's written consent unless the committee
	established under Section 37.003 determines that such placement is
	the best or only alternative available. The principal may not
	return the student to that teacher's class, regardless of the
	teacher's consent, until a return to class plan has been prepared
	for that student. The principal may only designate an employee of
	the school whose primary duties do not include classroom
	instruction to create a return to class plan. The terms of the
	removal may prohibit the student from attending or participating in
	school-sponsored or school-related activity.
	(d)  A teacher shall remove from class and send to the
	principal for placement in a disciplinary alternative education
	program or for expulsion, as appropriate, a student who engages in
	conduct described under Section 37.006 or 37.007. The student may
	not be returned to that teacher's class without the teacher's
	written consent unless the committee established under Section
	37.003 determines that such placement is the best or only
	alternative available. If the teacher removed the student from
	class because the student has engaged in the elements of any offense
	listed in Section 37.006(a)(2)(B) or Section 37.007(a)(2)(A) or
	(b)(2)(C) against the teacher, the student may not be returned to
	the teacher's class without the teacher's consent. The teacher may
	not be coerced to consent.
	(e-1)  A student may appeal the student's removal from class
	under this section to:
	(1)  the school's placement review committee
	established under Section 37.003; or
	(2)  the safe and supportive school team established
	under Section 37.115, in accordance with a district policy
	providing for such an appeal to be made to the team.
	(f)  Section 37.004 applies to the removal or placement under
	this section of a student with a disability who receives special
	education services.
	SECTION 16.  Section 48.114, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
	follows:
	(a)  A school district [that has implemented a mentoring
	program for classroom teachers who have less than two years of
	teaching experience under Section 21.458] is entitled to an
	allotment [as determined under Subsection (b)] to fund a [the]
	mentoring program and to provide stipends for mentor teachers if:
	(1)  the district has implemented a mentoring program
	for classroom teachers under Section 21.458; and
	(2)  the mentor teachers assigned under that program
	complete a training program that is required or developed by the
	agency for mentor teachers.
	(d)  A school district is entitled to an allotment of $2,000
	for each classroom teacher with less than two years of experience
	who participates in a mentoring program described by Subsection
	(a).  A district may receive an allotment under this section for no
	more than 40 teachers during a school year unless an appropriation
	is made for the purposes of providing a greater number of allotments
	per district.
	SECTION 17.  Subchapter D, Chapter 48, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Sections 48.157 and 48.158 to read as follows:
	Sec. 48.157.  RESIDENCY PARTNERSHIP ALLOTMENT. (a)  In this
	section, "partnership program" and "partnership resident" have the
	meanings assigned by Section 21.901.
	(b)  For each partnership resident employed at a district in
	a residency position under Subchapter R, Chapter 21, the district
	is entitled to an allotment equal to a base amount of $22,000
	increased by the high needs and rural factor, as determined under
	Subsection (c), to an amount not to exceed $42,000.
	(c)  The high needs and rural factor is determined by
	multiplying $5,000 by the lesser of:
	(1)  the average of the point value assigned to each
	student at a district campus under Section 48.112(d); or
	(2)  4.0.
	(d)  In addition to the funding under Subsection (b), a
	district that qualifies for an allotment under this section is
	entitled to an additional $2,000 for each partnership resident
	employed in a residency position at the district who is a candidate
	for special education certification.
	(e)  The Texas School for the Deaf and the Texas School for
	the Blind and Visually Impaired are entitled to an allotment under
	this section.  If the commissioner determines that assigning point
	values under Subsection (c) to students enrolled in the Texas
	School for the Deaf or the Texas School for the Blind and Visually
	Impaired is impractical, the commissioner may use the average point
	value assigned for those students' home districts for purposes of
	calculating the high needs and rural factor.
	Sec. 48.158.  FUNDING FOR CERTAIN CERTIFICATIONS. (a) A
	school district is entitled to the cost of certification
	examination fees for each classroom teacher who received a
	certification in special education or bilingual education in the
	preceding school year.  From money received under this section, the
	district shall reimburse each teacher who received a certification
	in special education or bilingual education during the preceding
	school year the cost of certification examination fees associated
	with that certification.
	(b)  Reimbursement received by a classroom teacher under
	this section may not be considered when calculating the teacher's
	salary for the purposes of Section 21.402.
	SECTION 18.  The following provisions are repealed:
	(1)  Section 21.042, Education Code;
	(2)  Subchapter Q, Chapter 21, Education Code;
	(3)  Section 37.002(e), Education Code;
	(4)  Section 48.114(b), Education Code; and
	(5)  Section 825.4092(f), Government Code.
	SECTION 19.  (a) The legislature finds that:
	(1)  the Windfall Elimination Provision was enacted in
	1983 to equalize the earned social security benefits of workers who
	spend part of their careers in exempt public service and workers who
	spend their entire careers participating in social security;
	(2)  the Windfall Elimination Provision reduces the
	social security benefits of public servants who have received a
	pension that is not subject to social security taxes, including
	thousands of teachers in Texas as well as the spouses and children
	of these public servants;
	(3)  the flawed application of the Windfall Elimination
	Provision diminishes Texans' retirement security and fails to
	recognize their rightfully earned social security and public
	pension benefits;
	(4)  for years, the United States Congress has failed
	to act to remove this detriment to many citizens of Texas, including
	teachers; and
	(5)  the United States Congress should take swift
	action to replace the Windfall Elimination Provision with a more
	fair and just formula that accurately reflects the contributions of
	all American workers to the social security system.
	(b)  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this
	Act, the secretary of the Senate shall forward official copies of
	the legislative findings under Subsection (a) of this section to
	the president of the United States, to the president of the Senate
	and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States
	Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to
	Congress.
	SECTION 20.  Section 21.257(f), Education Code, as added by
	this Act, applies only to a hearing before a hearing examiner
	commenced on or after the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 21.  Immediately following the effective date of
	this Act, a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall
	redesignate a teacher who holds a designation made under Section
	21.3521, Education Code, before the effective date of this Act, to
	reflect the teacher's designation under Section 21.3521, Education
	Code, as amended by this Act.
	SECTION 22.  Notwithstanding Section 21.903, Education
	Code, as added by this Act, until the State Board for Educator
	Certification adopts rules specifying the requirements for
	approval of an educator preparation program as a qualified educator
	preparation program as required by that section, the commissioner
	of education may approve a program as a qualified educator
	preparation program for purposes of Subchapter R, Chapter 21,
	Education Code, as added by this Act, if the commissioner
	determines that the program meets the requirements under Section
	21.903, Education Code, as added by this Act.  An educator
	preparation program's designation as a qualified educator
	preparation program by the commissioner under this section remains
	effective until the first anniversary of the adoption of rules by
	the State Board for Educator Certification under Section 21.903,
	Education Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 23.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
	this section, this Act takes effect immediately if it receives a
	vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the
	legislative session.
	(b)  Section 48.114, Education Code, as amended by this Act,
	and Sections 48.157 and 48.158, Education Code, as added by this
	Act, take effect September 1, 2024.