Sec. 21.004. TEACHER RECRUITMENT PROGRAM. (a) To the extent that funds are available, the agency, the State Board for Educator Certification, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall develop and implement programs to identify talented students and recruit those students and persons, including high school and undergraduate students, mid-career and retired professionals, honorably discharged and retired military personnel, and members of underrepresented gender and ethnic groups, into the teaching profession.
(b) From available funds, the agency, the State Board for Educator Certification, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall develop and distribute materials that emphasize the importance of the teaching profession and inform individuals about state-funded loan forgiveness and tuition assistance programs.
(c) The commissioner, in cooperation with the commissioner of higher education and the executive director of the State Board for Educator Certification, shall annually identify the need for teachers in specific subject areas and geographic regions and among underrepresented groups. The commissioner shall give priority to developing and implementing recruitment programs to address those needs from the agency's discretionary funds.
(d) The agency, the State Board for Educator Certification, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall encourage the business community to cooperate with local schools to develop recruiting programs designed to attract and retain capable teachers, including programs to provide summer employment opportunities for teachers.
(e) The agency, the State Board for Educator Certification, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall encourage major education associations to cooperate in developing a long-range program promoting teaching as a career and to assist in identifying local activities and resources that may be used to promote the teaching profession.
(f) Funds received for teacher recruitment programs may be used only to publicize and implement the programs.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1590, Sec. 7, eff. June 19, 1999.
Structure Texas Statutes
Subtitle D - Educators and School District Employees and Volunteers
Subchapter A. General Provisions
Section 21.002. Teacher Employment Contracts
Section 21.003. Certification Required
Section 21.0031. Failure to Obtain Certification; Contract Void
Section 21.004. Teacher Recruitment Program
Section 21.006. Requirement to Report Misconduct
Section 21.0061. Notice to Parent or Guardian About Educator Misconduct
Section 21.0062. Requirement to Report Misconduct: Private Schools
Section 21.007. Notice on Certification Record of Alleged Misconduct