S.B. No. 2253 seeks to amend the Education Code to enhance the certification process for public school educators and improve support for public schools through the Texas Education Agency. The bill prohibits the employment of uncertified classroom teachers in certain roles, with exemptions allowed under local innovation plans. It introduces provisions for state aid to fund salary increases for educators and establishes a certification incentive program that financially supports districts hiring first-year teachers who achieve certification by a specified deadline. Additionally, the bill outlines new definitions and requirements for teacher certification, emphasizing the importance of preservice practice and research-based best practices in educator training.

The legislation also establishes various preservice programs aimed at preparing and retaining educators through partnerships between educator preparation programs and school districts or charter schools. These include the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership Traditional Preservice Program, Residency Preservice Program, Alternative Preservice Program, and Grow Your Own Partnership Program, each with specific compensation provisions for teacher candidates and cooperating teachers. The bill mandates mentorship programs for novice teachers, annual training for mentor teachers, and outlines financial incentives for districts participating in partnership programs. It also includes provisions for technical assistance from the agency, model compliance forms, and funding mechanisms for literacy and mathematics achievement academies, with certain sections of the act set to take effect in phases starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 19.007, Education Code 21.001, Education Code 21.041, Subchapter B, Chapter , Education Code 2001.0045, Education Code 21.0443, Education Code 21.049, Education Code 21.057, Education Code 21.402, Education Code 21.4552, Education Code 21.4553, Education Code 29.202, Education Code 28.002, Government Code 825.4092 (Education Code 19, Education Code 28, Government Code 825, Subchapter B, Chapter , Education Code 2001, Education Code 21, Education Code 29)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 19.007, Education Code 21.001, Education Code 21.041, Subchapter B, Chapter , Education Code 2001.0045, Education Code 21.0443, Education Code 21.049, Education Code 21.057, Education Code 21.402, Education Code 21.4552, Education Code 21.4553, Education Code 29.202, Education Code 28.002, Government Code 825.4092 (Education Code 19, Education Code 28, Government Code 825, Subchapter B, Chapter , Education Code 2001, Education Code 21, Education Code 29)
Engrossed: Education Code 19.007, Education Code 21.001, Education Code 21.041, Subchapter B, Chapter , Education Code 2001.0045, Education Code 21.0443, Education Code 21.049, Education Code 21.057, Education Code 21.402, Education Code 21.4552, Education Code 21.4553, Education Code 29.202, Education Code 28.002, Government Code 825.4092 (Education Code 19, Education Code 28, Government Code 825, Subchapter B, Chapter , Education Code 2001, Education Code 21, Education Code 29)