Rights of Teachers Regarding Hybrid and Virtual Courses

Sec. 30B.053. RIGHTS OF TEACHERS REGARDING HYBRID AND VIRTUAL COURSES. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), a school district or open-enrollment charter school may not require a classroom teacher to provide both virtual instruction and in-person instruction for a course offered under this chapter during the same class period. The commissioner may waive the requirements of this subsection for courses included in the enrichment curriculum under Section 28.002. (a-1) Subsection (a) does not apply to a requirement that a classroom teacher simulcast the teacher's in-person instruction provided that the teacher is not required to interact with students observing the instruction virtually. (b) A classroom teacher may not provide instruction for a hybrid or virtual course offered under this chapter unless: (1) the teacher has received appropriate professional development in hybrid or virtual instruction, as determined by the school district or open-enrollment charter school at which the teacher is employed; or (2) the district or school has determined that the teacher has sufficient previous experience to not require the professional development described by Subdivision (1). (c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may not directly or indirectly coerce any classroom teacher hired to provide in-person instruction to agree to an assignment to teach a hybrid or virtual course. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 5 (S.B. 569), Sec. 7, eff. May 6, 2025.