Sec. 21.551. PURPOSES. The purposes of the alternative certification Teach for Texas Pilot Program are to:

(1) attract to the teaching profession persons who have expressed interest in teaching and to support the certification of those persons as teachers;

(2) recognize the importance of the certification process governed by the State Board for Educator Certification under Subchapter B, which requires verification of competence in subject area and professional knowledge and skills;

(3) encourage the creation and expansion of educator preparation programs that recognize the knowledge and skills gained through previous educational and work-related experiences and that are delivered in a manner that recognizes individual circumstances, including the need to remain employed full-time while enrolled in the Teach for Texas Pilot Program; and

(4) provide annual stipends to postbaccalaureate teacher certification candidates.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1590, Sec. 8, eff. June 19, 1999. Renumbered from Sec. 21.501 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(16), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.