April 2025 Committee on School Initiatives Item 4
Review of Adoption of Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter A, General Provisions, Subchapter B, Elementary School Certificate Standards, Subchapter C, Middle School Certificate Standards, and Subchapter D, Secondary School Certificate Standards
April 11, 2025
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the State Board of Education (SBOE) an opportunity to review the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rule actions that would adopt the proposed revisions to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter A, General Provisions, Subchapter B, Elementary School Certificate Standards, Subchapter C, Middle School Certificate Standards, and Subchapter D, Secondary School Certificate Standards. The proposed revisions would repeal the current grade-banded classroom teacher pedagogy standards and replace them with the new Classroom Teacher Pedagogy standards.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: The statutory authority for the SBOE to review rules that the SBEC proposes to adopt is Texas Education Code (TEC), §21.042. The statutory authority for the classroom teacher class certificate structure is TEC, §21.003(a), 21.031, and 21.041(b)(1), (2), and (4).
TEC, §21.042, requires the SBEC to submit a written copy of each rule it proposes to adopt to the SBOE for review. The SBOE may reject a proposed rule by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the SBOE present and voting but may not modify a rule proposed by the SBEC.
TEC, §21.003(a), states that a person may not be employed as a teacher, teacher intern or teacher trainee, librarian, educational aide, administrator, educational diagnostician, or school counselor by a school district unless the person holds an appropriate certificate or permit issued as provided by the TEC, Chapter 21, Subchapter B.
TEC, §21.031, authorizes the SBEC to regulate and oversee all aspects of the certification, continuing education, and standards of conduct of public school educators, and states that in proposing rules under the TEC, Chapter 21, Subchapter B, the SBEC shall ensure that all candidates for certification or renewal of certification demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the performance of the diverse student population of this state.
TEC, §21.041(b)(1), requires the SBEC to propose rules that provide for the regulation of educators and the general administration of the TEC, Chapter 21, Subchapter B, in a manner consistent with the TEC, Chapter 21, Subchapter B.
TEC, §21.041(b)(2), requires the SBEC to propose rules that specify the classes of educator certificates to be issued, including emergency certificates.
TEC, §21.041(b)(4), requires the SBEC to propose rules that specify the requirements for the issuance and renewal of an educator certificate.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: The SBEC rules in 19 TAC Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, specify the standards for the classroom teacher class of certificates. SBEC is statutorily authorized to ensure that all candidates for certification or renewal demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the performance of this state's student population. The classroom teacher certification standards are the basis for educator preparation programs (EPPs) to effectively prepare classroom teachers and the foundation for the certification examinations.
Updated Classroom Teacher Pedagogy Standards
At the September 2023 SBEC meeting, the Board approved membership to the Educator Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC). The ESAC participated in sessions that informed their work and engaged in an iterative standards revision process from November 2023–March 2024.
At the April 2024 SBEC meeting, SBEC reviewed and discussed a draft of the updated Classroom Teacher Pedagogy Standards. Both SBEC and stakeholders indicated a need to more clearly include lesson design as an essential skill for teachers. Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff updated the standards to include lesson design and presented an updated draft to SBEC at its July 2024 meeting. During the July and September 2024 SBEC meetings, SBEC reviewed and discussed the updated drafts of the Classroom Teacher Pedagogy Standards reflective of additional stakeholder feedback. Since the September 2024 SBEC meeting, minor changes were made to the standards in response to SBEC and stakeholder feedback. The updated standards proposed in rule are shown in Attachment I.
Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 235, Subchapters A, B, C, and D:
The following is a description of the proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 235, Subchapters A, B, C, and D that are reflected in Attachment I. The proposed revisions:
- reflect a reorganization of educator standard groups; and
- include the new classroom teacher certification standards that would serve to implement House Bill (HB) 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, and provide additional specification related to implementation of HB 159, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, and Senate Bill (SB) 226, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021.
Subchapter A. General Provisions
Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC §235.1
The proposed amendment to 19 TAC §235.1(a) would update the cross reference to the SBEC’s rules related to educator preparation curriculum and outline the required use of educator standards in EPP curriculum.
The proposed amendment to 19 TAC §235.1(b)(4) would strike through the term “grade-band” to better align with subsequent subchapters and sections and create a single set of standards across Early Childhood-Grade 12.
Proposed New 19 TAC §235.2. Definitions
The proposed new 19 TAC §235.2 would include definitions that provide clarity for the field and promote a common understanding of terms used within the updated Classroom Teacher Pedagogy Standards.
Subchapter B. Early Childhood Certificate Standards
The proposed repeal of Subchapter B, Elementary School Certificate Standards, and new Subchapter B, Early Childhood Certificate Standards, would remove the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Standards for Prekindergarten-Grade 3 and Early Childhood-Grade 6 and align with the reorganization of subsequent subchapters. The subchapter title would also be updated to more accurately reflect the content standards for teachers of students in Prekindergarten-Grade 3.
Proposed New 19 TAC §235.11. Content Standards, Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3
The proposed new 19 TAC §235.11 would outline the content standards for Prekindergarten-Grade 3.
Subchapter C. Classroom Teacher Pedagogy Standards, Early Childhood–Grade 12
The proposed repeal and replacement of Subchapter C, Middle School Certificate Standards, would remove the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Standards for Grades 4-8 and align with the reorganization of the proposed new subchapters. The subchapter title would also be updated to more accurately reflect the updated classroom teaching standards for Early Childhood-Grade 12.
Proposed New 19 TAC §235.21. Classroom Teacher Pedagogy Standards, Early Childhood–Grade 12
The proposed new 19 TAC §235.21 would outline teacher pedagogy and English language arts and reading (ELAR) and Mathematics content pedagogy standards for teachers of students in Early Childhood-Grade 12. These proposed updated standards would work to inform the preparation, appraisal, and professional development of Early Childhood-Grade 12 pre- and in-service teachers in Texas.
The proposed new §235.21(a) would provide an overview of the educator standards in proposed new Subchapter C, Classroom Teacher Pedagogy Standards, Early Childhood–Grade 12.
The proposed new §235.21(b) would outline the necessary knowledge and skills related to instructional preparation.
The proposed new §235.21(c) would outline the necessary knowledge and skills related to instructional delivery and assessment.
The proposed new §235.21(d) would outline the necessary knowledge and skills related to content pedagogy for all teachers and for teachers leading ELAR and mathematics classes.
The proposed new §235.21(e) would outline the necessary knowledge and skills related to learning environment.
The proposed new §235.21(f) would outline the necessary knowledge and skills related to professional practices and responsibilities.
Subchapter D. Trade and Industrial Workforce Training Certification Standards
The proposed repeal and replacement of Subchapter D, Secondary School Certificate Standards, would remove the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Standards for Grades 7-12 and align with the reorganization of the proposed new subchapters. The subchapter title would also be updated to more accurately reflect rules that are focused on the Trade and Industrial Workforce Training Certification Standards for Grades 6-12.
Proposed New 19 TAC §235.61. Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Standards, Grades 6-12, Trade and Industrial Workforce Training
The proposed new 19 TAC §235.61 would outline pedagogy and professional responsibilities standards for teachers of students in Grades 6-12 Trade and Industrial Workforce Training courses.
The following table provides a high-level overview of the reorganization of educator standards in Chapter 235, Subchapters B, C, and D.
|
Standards |
Current Subchapter and Section |
Proposed Action |
Proposed Subchapter and Section |
|
PPR Standards, Early Childhood: Pre-k-Grade 3 |
Subchapter B. §235.11 |
Repeal and replace with updated Classroom Teacher Standards Early Childhood-Grade 12 |
New Subchapter C. New §235.21 |
|
Content Standards, Early Childhood: Pre-k-Grade 3 |
Subchapter B. §235.13 |
No change to standards |
New Subchapter B. New §235.11 |
|
PPR Standards, Early Childhood-Grade 6 |
Subchapter B. §235.21 |
Repeal and replace with updated Classroom Teacher Standards Early Childhood-Grade 12 |
New Subchapter C. New §235.21 |
|
PPR Standards, Grades 4-8 |
Subchapter C. §235.41 |
Repeal and replace updated Classroom Teacher Standards Early Childhood-Grade 12 |
New Subchapter C. New §235.21 |
|
PPR Standards, Grades 7-12 |
Subchapter D. §235.61 |
Repeal and replace updated Classroom Teacher Standards Early Childhood-Grade 12 |
New Subchapter C. New §235.21 |
|
PPR Standards, Grades 6-12, Trade and Industrial Workforce Training |
Subchapter D. §235.63 |
No change to standards |
New Subchapter D. New §235.61 |
FISCAL IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. Jessica McLoughlin, associate commissioner for educator preparation, certification, and enforcement, has determined that for the first five years the rules would be in effect, enforcing or administering the rules does not have foreseeable implications relating to cost or revenues of the state or local governments. There may be an additional fiscal impact on entities required to comply with the proposal. The proposal contains standards explicitly required by state mandates, including HB 1605, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023; and HB 159 and SB 226, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021.
Implementation of the revised teacher pedagogy standards may impose costs on EPPs to comply with the standards. Programs may incur new costs related to training faculty and revising curriculum in accordance with the revised standards. Costs incurred by programs vary depending on program size, course offerings, and the procedures by which a program updates curriculum. The anticipated costs range from $3,000–$6,000 and are an estimated average based on a sampling of traditional and alternative certification programs.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. The proposal has no effect on local economy; therefore, no local employment impact statement is required under Texas Government Code (TGC), §2001.022.
SMALL BUSINESS, MICROBUSINESS, AND RURAL COMMUNITY IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. The proposal will have an additional fiscal impact on entities required to comply with the proposal, including small businesses, microbusinesses, and EPPs in rural communities. Implementation of the revised teacher pedagogy standards will impose costs on small-sized EPPs to comply with the standards. Programs will incur new costs related to training faculty and revising curriculum in accordance with the revised standards. Accordingly, an economic impact statement and regulatory flexibility analysis have been prepared and included in the notice of this proposed rule.
COST INCREASE TO REGULATED PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. The proposal does not impose a cost on regulated persons, another state agency, a special district, or a local government and, therefore, is not subject to TGC, §2001.0045.
TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. The proposal does not impose a burden on private real property and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under TGC, §2007.043.
GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. TEA staff prepared a Government Growth Impact Statement assessment for this proposed rulemaking. During the first five years the proposed rulemaking would be in effect, it would not create or eliminate a government program; would not require the creation of new employee positions or elimination of existing employee positions; would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; would not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; would not create a new regulation; would not expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to its applicability; and would not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.
PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. Jessica McLoughlin, associate commissioner for educator preparation, certification, and enforcement, has determined that for the first five years the proposal is in effect, the public benefit anticipated would include a set of clear and common expectations for all parties invested in the preparation of teachers. The updated standards align with current legislation and set a high bar for the quality of teachers in Texas. There is no anticipated cost to teacher candidates who will be required to meet the new standards.
DATA AND REPORTING IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. The proposal would have no new data and reporting impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. The proposal does not require an environmental impact analysis because the proposal does not include major environmental rules under TGC, §2001.0225.
PRINCIPAL AND CLASSROOM TEACHER PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: No changes have been made to this section since published as proposed. TEA staff has determined the proposal would not require a written report or other paperwork to be completed by a principal or classroom teacher.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: In accordance with the SBEC rulemaking process, a summary of comments received by the SBEC on its proposed rules is shared with the SBOE under separate cover prior to this SBOE meeting.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: That the State Board of Education:
Take no action on the proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter A, General Provisions, Subchapter B, Elementary School Certificate Standards, Subchapter C, Middle School Certificate Standards, and Subchapter D, Secondary School Certificate Standards.
Staff Members Responsible:
Jessica McLoughlin, Associate Commissioner, Educator Preparation, Certification, and Enforcement
Beth Burkhart, Director, Educator Standards and Testing
DeMarco Pitre, Director, Educator Standards and Test Development
Attachment I:
Text of Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter A, General Provisions; Subchapter B, Early Childhood Certification Standards; Subchapter C, Classroom Teacher Pedagogy Standards, Early Childhood-Grade 12; and Subchapter D, Trade and Industrial Workforce Training Certification Standards
Attachment II:
Text of Proposed Repeal of 19 TAC Chapter 235, Subchapter B, Elementary School Certificate Standards, Subchapter C, Middle School Certificate Standards, and Subchapter D, Secondary School Certificate Standards
Attachment III:
Teacher Pedagogy Educator Standards Advisory Committee Members and Standards Development Timeline