September 2025 Committee on School Initiatives
THURSDAY
September 11, 2025
9:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES – Room 2.013 (Barbara Jordan Building)
Members: LJ Francis, chair; Julie Pickren, vice chair; Staci Childs; Tiffany Clark, and Brandon Hall. A quorum of the State Board of Education may attend the committee meeting and discuss items on the committee agenda.
Public testimony – Individual testimony will be taken at the time the related item comes up for committee discussion or action. The procedures for public testimony at State Board of Education committee meetings and general board meetings are provided in SBOE Operating Rules.
1. Open-Enrollment Charter School Generation 31 Application Updates
This item provides an opportunity for the committee to receive updates regarding the Generation 31 Open-Enrollment Charter Application cycle. Statutory authority is the Texas Education Code (TEC), §12.101.
COMMITTEE – DISCUSSION
SBOE – NO ACTION
2. Discussion of Ongoing State Board for Educator Certification Activities
This item provides the Committee on School Initiatives the opportunity to receive information on current and upcoming State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) activities and proposed SBEC rules and amendments. The Texas Education Code (TEC), §21.031 and §21.041, authorize the SBEC to adopt rules to regulate and oversee all aspects of the certification, continuing education, and standards of conduct of public school educators. TEC, §21.042, requires the SBEC to submit a written copy of each rule it proposes to adopt to the State Board of Education (SBOE) for review.
COMMITTEE – DISCUSSION
SBOE – NO ACTION
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 proposed new 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter F, Supplemental and Special Education Certificate Standards, and proposed repeal of 19 TAC Chapter 235, Classroom Teacher Certification Standards, Subchapter F, Supplemental Certificate Standards, and Subchapter G, Special Education Certificate Standards. The proposal would repeal standards in current Subchapters F and G and combine and align language across educator standards in proposed new Subchapter F. The proposal would also implement the statutory requirements of House Bill (HB) 2256, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, and define the educator standards for the Bilingual Special Education certificate, as recommended by the SBEC-approved educator standards advisory committee. 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; 21.041(b)(1), (2), and (4); and 21.04891. 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. TEC, §21.04891, requires the SBEC to create a Bilingual Special Education certificate and specifies certification requirements for the certificate.
COMMITTEE – ACTION
SBOE – ACTION
4. Discussion of Required Parental Rights Training for School District Trustees
Senate Bill (SB) 204, enacted by the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, requires the State Board of Education to require trustees to complete training on the rights of parents regarding the education of their children. This item is for the State Board of Education (SBOE) to discuss the curriculum and materials for the training. Statutory authority is the Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.159(b-2), as established by SB 204, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025. TEC, §11.159(b-2), requires the SBOE to require a trustee to complete training on the rights of a parent regarding the education of the parent’s child. The SBOE, with assistance from the agency, must develop the curriculum and materials for the training.
COMMITTEE – DISCUSSION
SBOE – NO ACTION
This item provides an opportunity for the board to consider one reappointment to the board of trustees of Fort Sam Houston Independent School District (ISD). The reappointment is necessary due to the expiration of the term of office of one board member. Statutory authority is the Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.352.
COMMITTEE – ACTION
SBOE – CONSENT
This item provides an opportunity for the board to consider one reappointment and one appointment to the board of trustees of Randolph Field Independent School District (ISD). The reappointment is necessary due to the expiration of the term of office of one board member . The appointment is necessary due to the resignation of one board member. Statutory authority is the Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.352.
COMMITTEE – ACTION
SBOE – CONSENT
This item provides an opportunity for the board to consider two reappointments and one appointment to the board of trustees of Lackland Independent School District (ISD). The reappointments are necessary due to the expiration of the terms of office of two board members . The appointment is necessary due to the resignation of one board member. Statutory authority is the Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.352.
COMMITTEE – ACTION
SBOE – CONSENT