ALLOW ALTERNATIVES TO EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
Innovation: Educator certification alternatives in high need and hard to fill areas may increase courses offered at the secondary level. Areas impacted may include, but are not limited to, Spanish, French, dual credit, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses.
Requirement: Texas Education Code § 21.051 provides that before a school district may employ a candidate for certification as a teacher of record, the candidate must complete at least 15 hours of field-based experience in which the candidate is actively engaged in instructional or educational activities. Teacher certification for Career and Technical Education Instructors; TEC § 21.003 CERTIFICATION REQUIRED. (a) A person may not be employed as a teacher, teacher intern or teacher trainee, librarian, or school counselor by a school district unless the person holds an appropriate certificate or permit issued as provided by Subchapter B. Alternatives to Educator Certification may not be used for the following areas: SPED, ESL, and PK-4.
Local control advantages:
- Flexibility in recruiting and hiring teachers from the field, including experienced individuals from unique trades or vocations, may lead to more dual credit and/or industry certification opportunities for students enrolled in Career and Technology Education (CTE) courses.
- This initiative will allow for the potential to offer additional languages and dual credit courses by employing college instructors, university professors, or retired part-time teachers.
- Current hiring practices and teachers shortage in areas that impact the district in several ways will require flexibility in recruiting teachers.
DETERMINE A FLEXIBLE SCHOOL START DATE
Innovation: A flexible start date would allow Seguin ISD many options which may positively impact student learning and growth. An earlier start date would allow for balanced semesters, innovative and timely summer programs to provide enrichment and intervention, and targeted professional development and school transition opportunities.
Requirement: Texas Education Code §25.0811 states that a school district may not begin instruction prior to the fourth Monday in August.
Local control advantages:
- Balanced instructional time in the first and second semesters may improve the ability to implement special programs at various schools.
- The alignment of the calendar with colleges and universities may allow for quality pacing of instruction, assessment, and intervention to support college, career or military readiness. In addition, students will have the ability to participate in summer college camps and courses.
- Timely professional development may positively impact student learning.
- A flexible start provides options for quality enrichment and intervention programs that may limit the loss of knowledge gained during the previous year.
- A shortened week at the beginning of the school year may ease the transition to a new campus for kindergarten, middle school, and high school students.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING AND PREPARATION
Innovation:Nearly 40% of Seguin ISD teachers have between 0-5 years of experience. With a diverse student population comprised of 70% economically disadvantaged, 56% at risk, 16% LEP, and 12% Special Education, along with a blended platform of face to face and online learners, the district’s educators must be well-equipped to meet the unique needs of each student.
Requirement: Texas Education Code § 21.404 entitles each classroom teacher to at least 450 minutes within each two-week period for instructional preparation, including parent-teacher conferences, evaluating students’ work, and planning.
Local control advantages:
- Provision allows for the district’s teachers to participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLC) on at least a weekly basis during the work day without compromising instructional time
- critically examine student data
AF(LEGAL) Innovation Districts
posted 9/21/20