December 6, 2024 SBEC Meeting

 

The Board will meet in open session and after determining the presence of a quorum, deliberate and possibly take formal action, including emergency action, on any of the following agenda items:

 

Moment of Silence

Pledge of Allegiance

1. Call to Order
2. Associate Commissioner’s Comments
3. Public Comment

The Board shall allocate up to thirty (30) minutes at the beginning of each regularly scheduled meeting of the full Board for public comment on non-agenda and consent agenda items. In accordance with SBEC Board Operating Policies and Procedures, late registration for providing oral or written comments will be accepted up to 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the Board meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

The consent agenda will take up agenda items 4 – 7 with no discussion. The State Board for Educator Certification may elect to take separate action on any item on the consent agenda. All such items shall be acted upon by one vote without separate discussion, unless a Board member requests that an item be withdrawn for individual consideration.

4. Approve September 19-20, 2024 Meeting Minutes

 

5. Adoption of Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 234, Military Service Members, Military Spouses, and Military Veterans

This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to adopt the proposed amendments to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 234, Military Service Members, Military Spouses, and Military Veterans. The proposed amendments would add language specific to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), allowing the portability of licenses for active-duty military service members or the spouse of a military service member and would provide technical edits to clarify existing language, alphabetize definitions, and remove duplicative language where necessary.

6. Adoption of Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 228, Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs, Subchapter A, General Guidance, Subchapter D, Required Educator Coursework and Training, Subchapter E, Educator Candidate Clinical Experiences, and Subchapter F, Support for Candidates During Required Clinical Experiences

This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to discuss and propose amendments to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 228, Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs, Subchapter A, General Guidance, Subchapter D, Required Educator Coursework and Training, Subchapter E, Educator Candidate Clinical Experiences, and Subchapter F, Support for Candidates During Required Clinical Experiences. The proposed amendments would further clarify requirements and definitions as applicable to support educator preparation programs (EPPs) and candidates in the successful implementation of these rules.

7. 2023-2024 Continuing Approval Reviews of Educator Preparation Programs

This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to approve the following educator preparation programs (EPPs) for continuing approval for five years based on the results of the 2023-2024 reviews:

Midwestern State University, Region 13 Education Service Center, Amberton University, University of Dallas, Trinity University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Teachworthy, Education Career Alternative Program (ECAP), 240 Certification, University of North Texas, Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Texas A&M University – San Antonio, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University, iteachTEXAS, University of Texas – San Antonio, Houston ISD, Austin College, Concordia University, Region 2 Education Service Center, Jarvis Christian College, Arlington Baptist University, and Lone Star College.

DISCUSSION AND ACTION

8. Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter A, General Provisions, Subchapter B, Elementary School Certificate Standards, Subchapter C, Middle School Certificate Standards, and Subchapter D, Secondary School Certificate Standards

This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to discuss and propose revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter A, General Provisions, Subchapter B, Elementary School Certificate Standards, Subchapter C, Middle School Certificate Standards, and Subchapter D, Secondary School Certificate Standards. The revisions would repeal the current grade-banded classroom teacher pedagogy standards and replace them with the new Classroom Teacher Pedagogy standards.

9. Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 231, Requirements for Public School Personnel Assignments, Subchapter F, Special Education-Related Services Personnel Assignments

This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to discuss and propose revisions to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 231, Requirements for Public School Personnel Assignments, Subchapter F, Special Education-Related Services Personnel Assignments. The proposed revisions would provide requirements for school districts to make personnel assignment decisions based on the correlating certification and demonstration of content proficiency requirements. The proposed revisions would also expand the list of certificates appropriate for personnel serving in special education-related assignments and include a section dedicated to requirements for an assignment of Teachers of Students who are Deafblind.

10. Request to Approve Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route for Educator Preparation Programs

This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to approve Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to offer the Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route resulting in the enhanced standard certificate.

11. Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 249, Disciplinary Proceedings, Sanctions, and Contested Cases

This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to discuss and propose amendments to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 249, Disciplinary Proceedings, Sanctions, and Contested Cases. The proposed amendments reflect the results of prior discussions on Chapter 249 by the SBEC, as well as multiple stakeholder engagement sessions, by amending the contract abandonment mitigating factors; amending the definition of solicitation to add grooming behaviors; updating the SBEC’s mandatory minimum sanctions; updating the SBEC’s mailing procedures to allow original petitions and default petitions to be sent via electronic mail; clarifying that all notices sent to comply with Texas Government Code, §2001.054, will be sent via certified or registered mail, removing the requirement that exceptions must be filed or an issue is waived; clarifying the erroneously issued certificate section to explicitly state that the cancellation of a certificate issued as the result of a Texas Education Agency (TEA) information technology (IT) error will not result in a contested case; and amending the SBEC’s definition of abuse to mirror the definition of abuse found in Texas Family Code, Chapter 261, as well as additional technical edits.

DISCIPLINARY CASES

12. Pending or Contemplated Litigation, including Disciplinary Cases

No Answer Defaults

1. In the Matter of Cristina Martinez; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            1-year suspension

2. In the Matter of Lindsey Holder; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            1-year suspension

3. In the Matter of Michael Janak; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            1-year suspension

4. In the Matter of Sarah Carr; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            1-year suspension

5. In the Matter of Nicholas Ballesteros; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Permanent Revocation and placement on Registry of Persons Not Eligible for Hire 

6. In the Matter of Rafael Casanova; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Permanent Revocation and placement on Registry of Persons Not Eligible for Hire 

7. In the Matter of Julius Emanuel; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Permanent Revocation and placement on Registry of Persons Not Eligible for Hire 

8. In the Matter of J’Den Correy Hall; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Permanent Revocation and placement on Registry of Persons Not Eligible for Hire 

9. In the Matter of Jennifer Sue Hoelscher; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Permanent Revocation and placement on Registry of Persons Not Eligible for Hire 

10. In the Matter of Gregory S. Rooks; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Permanent Revocation and placement on Registry of Persons Not Eligible for Hire 

11. In the Matter of Ondre’ Demond Cooper; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            1-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program 

12. In the Matter of Tobi Lane Pearce; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            1-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program 

13. In the Matter of Tommy Thompson; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            1-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program

14. In the Matter of Kathleen Marie Donataccio; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            2-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program 

15. In the Matter of Zachary Byrd; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            3-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program 

16. In the Matter of Joshua E. Bennett; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            5-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program 

17. In the Matter of Michael Newman; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            1-year suspension

18. In the Matter of David Wallace Baker; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            2-year suspension

19. In the Matter of Rafael Solis; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Revocation

20. In the Matter of Perla Villa; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            5-year suspension 

21. In the Matter of Maurice Adams Walker, Jr.; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            5-year suspension 

22. In the Matter of Jenna Justice; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            10-year suspension and proof of successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program   

23. In the Matter of Amy Lynn Sargent Brunell; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Revocation

24. In the Matter of Tommie Ray Morgan; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Permanent Revocation and placement on Registry of Persons Not Eligible for Hire

SOAH Defaults

1. In the Matter of Deborah Satchell; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            1-year suspension

2. In the Matter of Olga Najera; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Permanent Revocation and placement on Registry of Persons Not Eligible for Hire 

3. In the Matter of Joseph Smejkal; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Issuance of Default Judgment

Staff recommendation:            Permanent Revocation and placement on Registry of Persons Not Eligible for Hire 

Contested Cases

Proposals for Decision

1. Docket No. 701-24-12814.EC, Texas Education Agency, Educator Preparation, Certification, and Enforcement Division v. Santiago Salazar, Jr.; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Proposal for Decision and Issuance of Final Order.

ALJ Recommendation:           No disciplinary action to be taken  

Staff Recommendation:          Accept ALJ recommendation  

2. Docket No. 701-24-10998.EC, Texas Education Agency, Educator Preparation, Certification, and Enforcement Division v. Cassanthia Penn; Action to be taken:  Consideration of Proposal for Decision and Issuance of Final Order.

ALJ Recommendation:           No disciplinary action to be taken  

Staff Recommendation:          Accept ALJ recommendation  

DISCUSSION ONLY 

13. Discussion of Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter G, Special Education Certificate Standards

This item provides the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) an opportunity to discuss a proposed amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter G, Special Education Certificate Standards. The proposed amendment would implement the statutory requirements of House Bill 2256, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021. The proposed amendment would define the educator standards for the Bilingual Special Education certificate as recommended by the SBEC-approved educator standards advisory committee.

INFORMATION ONLY

14. Update of State Board for Educator Certification Enabling Legislation
15. Board Operating Policies and Procedures (BOPP)
16. 2023–2026 Rule Review Plan for State Board for Educator Certification Rules
17. Adjournment