The Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) proposes amendments relating to classroom teacher certification standards. The SBEC is authorized by Texas law to ensure all candidates for teacher certification demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the performance of the diverse population of the state.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Based Certification Standards
The proposed rule revisions would add the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) based certification standards. Under General Requirements, proposed 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 235.1: “Unless provided otherwise in this title, the content area and grade level of a certificate category as well as the standards underlying the certification examination for each shall include” the following:

  1. The relevant Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum adopted by the State Board of Education;
  2. The English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) adopted by the State Board of Education;
  3. The relevant knowledge and application of developmentally appropriate, research- and evidence-based assessment and instructional practices to promote students’ development of grade-level skills; and
  4. The relevant grade-banded Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Standards, specifically including how to effectively address the needs of all student populations.”

19 Tex. Admin. Code § 235.1(b)(1)-(4). An applicant must satisfy all the requirements and conditions under the code. If adopted, the above listed proposed changes to the general requirements of classroom teacher certification will significantly expand the standards for certification.
Grade 6-12 Teacher Certificates
The proposed rule revisions would add a reference to the new certification standards for the Trade and Industrial Workforce Training for Grades 6-12 and would clarify the effective date of the Secondary School Certificate Standards. The implementation date for the provisions of Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Standards, Grades 6-12, Trade and Industrial Workforce Training, proposed 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 235.63, would apply to applicants for grades 6-12 teacher certificates on or after September 1, 2019.
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