Review of Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 233,
Categories of Classroom Teaching Certificates
July 20, 2012
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the State Board of Education (SBOE) an opportunity to review the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rule actions that would revise 19 TAC Chapter 233, Categories of Classroom Teaching Certificates. The proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 233 would update statutory and administrative rule references, as well as clarify and streamline the certification procedures and standards to make them more accessible and understandable to the public.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: The statutory authority for the proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 233 is the Texas Education Code (TEC), §§21.003(a), 21.031, 21.041(b)(1)-(4) and (6), 21.048(a), 21.050, and 22.0831(f).
EFFECTIVE DATE: The proposed effective date of the revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 233 would be August 19, 2012.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: None.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The SBEC rules in
19 TAC Chapter 233 contain the current classroom teaching certificates by category, grade level, and subject areas. Also included in Chapter 233 are the conditions for issuance and standards for classroom teaching certificates.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff held webinars with the advisory committee for educator certification and standards on September 15, 2011 and with stakeholders on November 2 and 7, 2011 to gather input on the proposed reorganization of and amendments to the rules currently codified in 19 TAC Chapter 230, Professional Educator Preparation and Certification; 19 TAC Chapter 232, General Certification Provisions; and 19 TAC Chapter 233, Categories of Classroom Teaching Certificates. In addition, face-to-face stakeholder meetings were held on October 17, 2011 and November 17, 2011.
The proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 233, shown in Attachment II, would include updating and moving requirements for specific classroom teaching certificates from current 19 TAC Chapter 230 to Chapter 233. These certificates include Health Science Technology Education: Grades 8-12, Trade and Industrial Education: Grades 8-12, and the Driver Education Endorsement.
In addition, during stakeholder meetings over the last year, school districts recommended changing the grade levels of various certificates to allow the districts more flexibility when assigning teachers to courses at the middle school level. By changing the grade levels, the districts would be able to assign teachers and address areas of need within the district. Stakeholders supported the proposed changes as being beneficial for students. Following is a description of the proposed changes.
Section 233.1. General Authority
Language in 19 TAC §233.1(e) would be amended to include more descriptive language regarding exceptions for persons seeking initial certification with an expired certification examination.
Section 233.2. Generalist
Language would be amended in 19 TAC §233.2 to move Generalist: Early Childhood-Grade 6 from subsection (c) to proposed subsection (a) with the addition of the theater content area since TEA staff determined that the certification examination includes existing Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) at the Early Childhood (EC)-Grade 6 level. Also, current subsection (a) would be deleted since the Generalist: Grades Early Childhood-Grade 4 certificate expired and was replaced with the Generalist: Early Childhood-Grade 6 certificate.
Section 233.3. English Language Arts and Reading; Social Studies
Language in 19 TAC §233.3 would be amended to establish a deadline of September 1, 2012 for issuing the Speech: Grades 8-12 certificate. A deadline of September 1, 2015 would be added for issuing Grades 8-12 certificates for English language arts and reading, social studies, history, and journalism. To align with TEA curriculum expectations, language would be added to reflect new Grades 7-12 certificates to be issued no earlier than September 1, 2013 in English language arts and reading, social studies, history, and journalism. Technical edits would also be made to reletter subsections accordingly.
The following chart illustrates the changes to the certification levels.
Current Certificates: Grades 8-12 | New Certificates: Grades 7-12 |
English Language Arts and Reading: Grades 8-12 | English Language Arts and Reading: Grades 7-12 |
Social Studies: Grades 8-12 | Social Studies: Grades 7-12 |
History: Grades 8-12 | History: Grades 7-12 |
Journalism: Grades 8-12 | Journalism: Grade 7-12 |
Section 233.4. Mathematics; Science
Language in 19 TAC §233.4 would be amended to establish a deadline of September 1, 2015 for issuing Grades 8-12 certificates for mathematics, science, life science, physical science, and chemistry and a deadline of September 1, 2016 for issuing the Grades 8-12 certificates for physics/mathematics and mathematics/physical science/engineering. Language would be added to reflect new Grades 7-12 certificates to be issued no earlier than September 1, 2013 in mathematics, science, life science, and chemistry and a new Grades 7-12 certificate to be issued no earlier than September 1, 2014 in physics/mathematics. Language would also be added to reflect new Grades 6-12 certificates in physical science and mathematics/physical science/engineering. The proposed changes would align with TEA curriculum expectations. Technical edits would also be made to reletter subsections accordingly.
The following chart illustrates the changes to the certification levels.
Current Certificates: Grades 8-12 | New Certificates: Grades 6-12 |
Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering: Grades 8-12 | Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering: Grades 6-12 |
Physical Science: Grades 8-12 | Physical Science: Grades 6-12 |
| |
Current Certificates: Grades 8-12 | New Certificates: Grades 7-12 |
Life Science: Grades 8-12 | Life Science: Grades 7-12 |
Physics/Mathematics: Grades 8-12 | Physics/Mathematics: Grades 7-12 |
Science: Grades 8-12 | Science: Grades 7-12 |
Mathematics: Grades 8-12 | Mathematics: Grades 7-12 |
Chemistry: Grades 8-12 | Chemistry: Grades 7-12 |
Section 233.5. Technology Applications and Computer Science
Language in 19 TAC §233.5 would be amended to reflect a new Technology Applications: Grades 7-12 certificate to align with TEA curriculum expectations. Since published as proposed, the deadline for issuing the Technology Applications: Grades 7-12 certificate would be changed to September 1, 2014, instead of September 1, 2013, to coincide with test development timelines. Also, since published as proposed, the expiration date for the superseded Technology Applications: Grades 8-12 certificate in subsection (a) would be changed to September 1, 2016 instead of September 1, 2015.
Technical edits would also be made to reletter subsections accordingly.
The following chart illustrates the change to the certification level.
Current Certificate: Grades 8-12 | New Certificate: Grades 7-12 |
Technology Applications: Grades 8-12 | Technology Applications: Grades 7-12 |
Section 233.6. Bilingual Education
Language would be amended in 19 TAC §233.6 to move Bilingual Generalist: Early Childhood-Grade 6 from subsection (c) to proposed subsection (a). Language would also be amended to delete the expired Bilingual Generalist: Early Childhood-Grade 4 certificate since the certificate was replaced with the Bilingual Generalist: Early Childhood-Grade 6 certificate. Also, current subsections (d) and (e) would be deleted since the Bilingual Education Supplemental: Early Childhood-Grade 4 and Bilingual Education Supplemental: Grades 4-8 certificates expired and were replaced with the Bilingual Education Supplemental certificate, which is valid at the grade level of the base certificate. Proposed subsection (d) would specify that target languages for bilingual education certification would be determined by the SBEC. Current subsection (f) would be relettered.
Section 233.7. English as a Second Language
Language would be amended in 19 TAC §233.7 to move English as a Second Language Generalist: Early Childhood-Grade 6 from current subsection (c) to proposed subsection (a). Also, current 19 TAC §233.7(a) would be deleted since the English as a Second Language Generalist: Early Childhood-Grade 4 certificate has expired and was replaced by the English as a Second Language Generalist: Early Childhood-Grade 6 certificate. Current subsection (d) would be relettered.
Proposed New §233.12. Physical Education
Current 19 TAC §233.13 would be repealed and moved as proposed new 19 TAC §233.12 with no changes.
Proposed New §233.13. Career and Technical Education (Certificates not requiring experience and preparation in a skill area)
Current 19 TAC §233.12 would be repealed and moved as proposed new 19 TAC §233.13 with changes. Proposed new §233.13 would establish a deadline of September 1, 2016 for issuing Grades 6-12 certificates for agricultural science and technology and business education. In addition, language would reflect new Grades 6-12 certificates to be issued no earlier than September 1, 2014 for agriculture, food, and natural resources; business and finance; and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to align with the new career and technical education curriculum and grade level requirements and teacher assignments. The proposed changes would align with TEA curriculum expectations.
Since published as proposed, and after consulting with the TEA Curriculum Division, the title of the Business Management and Administration: Grades 6-12 certificate in proposed 19 TAC §233.13(h) would be changed to Business and Finance: Grades 6-12.
The following chart illustrates the changes to the certificate titles.
Current Certificates | New Certificates |
Agricultural Science and Technology: Grades 6-12 | Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources: Grades 6-12 |
Business Education: Grades 6-12 | Business and Finance: Grades 6-12 |
Section 233.14. Career and Technical Education (Certificates requiring experience and preparation in a skill area)
Language in 19 TAC §233.14(a) would be amended to clarify the requirements for career and technical education areas. Subsection (b) would be amended to establish a deadline of September 1, 2016 for issuing the Marketing Education: Grades 8-12 certificate and add education and experience requirements for the certificate. Proposed subsection (c) would add a new Marketing: Grades 6-12 certificate to be issued no earlier than September 1, 2014 to align with TEA curriculum expectations. Proposed subsections (d), (f), and (h) would be added to move specific requirements for standard career and technical education certificates based on experience and preparation from current 19 TAC §230.483, which is proposed for repeal. A deadline of September 1, 2016 would be added in proposed subsections (d) and (f).
The proposed amendment would also establish new Grades 6-12 certificates to be issued no earlier than September 1, 2014 for marketing, health science, and trade and industrial education to align with the new career and technical education areas and assignment requirements. The proposed changes to §233.14 would also align with TEA curriculum expectations.
The following chart illustrates the changes to the certification levels.
Current Certificates: Grades 8-12 | New Certificates: Grades 6-12 |
Marketing Education: Grades 8-12 | Marketing: Grades 6-12 |
Health Science Technology Education: Grades 8-12. | Health Science: Grades 6-12 |
Trade and Industrial Education: Grades 8-12 | Trade and Industrial Education: Grades 6-12 |
Section 233.15. Languages Other Than English
The Secondary Latin certificate would be moved from current 19 TAC §230.481. The proposed amendment to 19 TAC §233.15 would also establish a deadline of September 1, 2012 for issuing the certificate.
Proposed New §233.16. Driver Education Endorsement
The driver education endorsement would be moved from current 19 TAC §230.482(b). The other certificates codified in current 19 TAC §230.482(a) have expired and would be repealed.
SBOE Review of Proposed SBEC Rules
Under the TEC, §21.042, the SBEC must submit a written copy of each rule it proposes to adopt to the SBOE for review. The SBOE may reject the proposed rules by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the SBOE present and voting, but may not modify a rule. The rules take effect as rules of the SBEC if the SBOE fails to review the rules contained in this item by July 27, 2012 which is the 90th day after the date the SBOE first received these proposed rules.
FISCAL IMPACT: The TEA staff have determined that there are no additional costs to persons or entities required to comply with the proposed rule actions. In addition, there are no direct adverse economic impact for small businesses and microbusinesses; therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis, specified in Texas Government Code, §2006.002, is required.
PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: The public benefit anticipated as a result of the proposed revisions would be the continuation of guidelines for categories of classroom teaching certificates and clarification of the courses that can be taught by the holders of these certificates.
PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: The TEA staff have determined that there are no procedural and reporting implications to school districts and educators.
LOCALLY MAINTAINED PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: The TEA staff have determined that there are no locally maintained paperwork requirements to school districts and educators.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: None.
OTHER COMMENTS AND RELATED ISSUES: Separate items are presented for action in this agenda for the SBOE to review the proposed repeal of and new 19 TAC Chapter 230, Professional Educator Preparation and Certification, and the proposed repeal of and new 19 TAC Chapter 232, General Certification Provisions, resulting from the reorganization of the rules.
COMMISSIONER'S RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the State Board of Education:
Take no action on the proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 233, Categories of Classroom Teaching Certificates.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Scott
Commissioner of Education
Staff Members Responsible:
Ann Smisko, Associate Commissioner
Educator Leadership and Quality
Janice Lopez, Director
Educator Certification and Standards
Andrew Allen, Assistant Counsel
Legal Services
Attachments:
I. Statutory Citations (PDF, 141KB)
II. Text of Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 233, Categories of Classroom Teaching Certificates (PDF, 109KB)