Legacy Master Teachers
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agenda/webcast-click item 16
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In another major discussion-only item, SBEC's board informally agreed that the best of all options presented by staff of what to do about the current holders of legacy master teacher certification is to let them continue holding the certificate permanently, without having to ever renew.
Nearly 5,000 holders of legacy master teacher certification will be affected (see table below):
The underlying certifications held by the teachers — such as standard teacher certification — must be renewed periodically as required by SBEC rules.
The issue arose due to a HB3 mandate (discussed here) that SBEC no longer issue new master teacher certifications, and to no longer renew them, as of Sept. 1, 2019. SBEC’s board designated the current holders of the certificate as “legacy” master teachers.
At the urging of the Association of Texas Professional Educators, HB3 primary author Dan Huberty, R-Kingwood, wrote a letter explaining that the legislative intent behind the bill’s mandate was “not to abandon the expertise of these highly trained educators …,” but was to avoid confusion with a similarly named “master teacher” designation under HB3’s Teacher Incentive Allotment.
The recommendation to grant permanent legacy master teacher certification status on the current holders of the certificate was the overwhelming choice of TEA staff and stakeholder groups.
The item will be brought back to the board in July.