ATPE submitted comments this week on new proposed commissioner's rules regarding exempting certain out-of-state educators looking to teach in Texas from state certification assessments. Our comments acknowledge that "certain exceptions to certification testing may have a place in helping to get high-quality, experienced teachers in Texas classrooms," but stress that "the focus must remain on high standards that help ensure we are limiting exceptions to only those educators with a proven track record of success in educating students."

The new proposed rules stem from legislation passed during the 85th Legislative Session that gave the commissioner of education the ability to create this specific certification flexibility. In lieu of the current process overseen by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), which currently compares other state certification requirements to Texas's standards before exempting out-of-state educators from certification assessments, the new proposed commissioner's rules would instead outline a number of requirements an out-of-state educator must prove in order to receive the exemption. The requirements primarily entail obtaining certification in another state or country, but also include a one year experience requirement for all classroom teacher candidates.

ATPE argued in its comments that the experience requirement should be raised to at least two years of teaching experience. This is because the proposed rules don't only exempt these out-of-state educators from certification assessments, they also exempt them from preparation and certification standards Texas policymakers and stakeholders have deemed necessary. For instance, some preparation standards these educators would be exempted from include the minimum GPA requirement placed on candidates entering a certification program; the number of curriculum hours educators in training must complete; the amount of clinical training a candidate must possess before obtaining full certification; the amount of time new teachers must spend working with mentors and coaches to develop their craft; and training specific to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the Texas educator standards, and the Texas Educator Code of Ethics.

"If we are going to exempt certain educators prepared out of state from these standards of preparation and certification, we should at a minimum be ensuring they bring valuable experience to Texas classrooms," ATPE argued in its comments.

For more regarding ATPE's position on the proposed rules, read ATPE's full comments here. Commissioner Morath will now consider the public comments submitted before issuing the final rule.