The following is a compilation of the education related proposed rules in the March 11 through April 1 editions of the Texas Register. Click the links to the rules below for more information on how to submit public comment and meeting dates/times.
TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY
SCHOOL DISTRICTS 19 TAC §61.1010
- This amendment proposes an additional entitlement through the Foundation School Program for school districts that enter contracts to partner to operate a district campus under TEC, §11.174 and §11.157(b). To align with HB 1525, the amendment would add language referencing resource campuses and adds a definition for resource campus. Additionally, HB 1525 repealed advanced career and technology funding while preserving P-TECH and New Tech Network, which would update the allotment name and statutory reference.
STATE ADOPTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS – 19 TAC §66.1307
- The proposed amendment would provide clarifications based on HB 1525 and HB 3261 87(R). The amendment would update allowable purchases and expenses using allotment funds based on HB 1525 and HB 3261 and outlines district consideration related to the purchase of technological equipment. During the first 5 years the proposed amendment would expand an existing regulation by increasing allowable uses of allotment funding. The commissioner of education will determine allotment for a school district or charter school based on TSDS PEIMS student enrollment data from the school year preceding the first year of each biennium. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools may access allotment funds by completing requirements listed in subsection (i) of the section and providing all information require in the State Ordering System.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS – 19 TAC §101.3011, 101.3012, 101.3014
- The TEA proposed amendments concerning implementation of assessment instruments in the academic content areas testing program. The proposed amendments would align the rules with HB 4545 which eliminated requirements associates with the SSI, including the parental notification and reporting requirements, and the postsecondary readiness assessments required. requirements concerning postsecondary readiness assessments have been removed which could deny a student promotion, removes SSI grade advancement parental notification requirements, and removes scoring and reporting requirements for certain assessments.
COMMISSIONER’S RULES CONCERNING SAFE SCHOOLS – 19 TAC §103.1211
- The proposed new rule would implement SB 168, 87(R) which mandated the adoption of procedures that a school district must complete prior to conducting an active threat exercise. The amendment would implement the statute by establishing requirements related to adequate notice and the content of an active threat exercise. Proposed new subsection (a) would require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to follow mandatory procedures for conducting active threat exercises. This requirement would ensure that districts and open-enrollment charter schools promote physical and psychological safety of students and staff before, during, and after an active threat exercise. Proposed new subsection (b) would specify what school districts and open-enrollment charter schools must do prior to conducting active threat exercises. The requirements would include adequate notice of the exercise, an announcement signaling the start of the exercise, and certain elements to be addressed in the content of the exercise. Proposed new subsection (c) would specify the statutory requirement that data regarding the efficacy and impact of an active threat exercise be collected and submitted to the Texas School Safety Center.
STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATION CERTIFICATION
ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATORS – 19 TAC §230.21
- The SBEC proposes amendments concerning educator assessment. The proposed amendment would specify the timeline by which a passing score on a certification exam can be used for certification purposes, it would update the figure specificizing required pedagogy certification exams for issuance of the probationary or standard certificate and would remove non-operational certificate categories. This proposal provides the SBEC the opportunity to transition carefully from the edTPA pilot to full implementation. Given the feedback and input from the SBEC and stakeholders, the proposed rule text will allow for a three-phased approach over the next three academic years. Proposed amendments include: an update to figure titles, Operationalization of edTPA as the Pedagogy Exam Requirement, EPP and Candidate Choice in edTPA Exams, Removing Retired Certificates, an Update on Exam Requirements for Health Science: grades 6-12 and JROTC: grades 6-12, and an update on the edTPA Implementation Plan.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENTS – 19 TAC Multiple Sections of §231
The proposed amendment is offered to align with statutory requirements in HB 3 87(R). The proposed revisions would incorporate courses approved by the State Board of Education would add certificate areas to the list of credentials appropriate for placement into an assignment and would incorporate technical edits. More specifically, certificates that reflect the requirement that educators demonstrate proficiency in the science of teaching reading to teach certain courses will be added. Changes would add “Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood-Grade 6,” “Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8,” “Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood-Grade 6,” “Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8,” “English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8,” “English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8,” and “English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8” certificates. The proposed amendment would update titles/make technical edits to certain certificates in §231. Additionally, new approved SBOE courses will be added to §231.