How do SB 1963 and SB 1839 affect Field Supervisors of advanced degree candidates?

When Governor Abbott signed SB 1963 and SB 1839 into law on June 12, 2017, the statute that prevented the SBEC from adopting rules that required at least one formal observation of non-teacher candidates to be onsite and face-to-face went into effect immediately.

As a result, field supervisors are NOT required to provide any formal observations that are onsite and face-to-face. 

Field supervisors must provide three formal observations that total a minimum of 135 minutes in length, but these observations may be provided by use of electronic transmission or other video or technology-based methods. The important thing to remember about the practicum is that the program needs to have evidence that the candidate can demonstrate proficiency in each of the educator standards for the certificate class being sought. The observations are an important part of that process. 

When the SBEC makes amendments to Chapter 228 to remove the onsite requirement from the rules, it may add additional language about online observations. TEA staff anticipate discussing this with the board in October and the board proposing amendments in December.