State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) staff updated the Committee on Civil Initiatives on ongoing rulemaking and program changes affecting educator certification and preparation programs, describing proposed alignment of bilingual and special‑education standards, a multi‑year redesign of certification exams and new emergency suspension authority created by recent legislation.

Why it matters: SBEC actions determine certification requirements, the design and cost of licensure exams, and how educator preparation programs are held accountable. New statutory provisions discussed by SBEC could allow faster emergency action when an educator poses an imminent threat to student welfare.

Key points from the SBEC update
- Standards consolidation: SBEC proposed combining current subchapters that house bilingual educator standards, English‑as‑a‑second‑language (ESL) standards, and special‑education standards into a single coordinated subchapter to accommodate the newly required bilingual special‑education certificate called for by House Bill 2253 (as referenced by staff). The consolidated subchapter would include the new bilingual special‑education standards and improve alignment across related certificates. The proposal was posted for public comment with adoption expected at the SBEC July meeting.
- Certification exam redesigns: staff outlined a multi‑year roll‑out of redesigned Texas teacher certification examinations from 2025 through 2028, including a redesigned special‑education exam launching in September and staged redesigns of core subjects (EC–6) across 2026–2028. SBEC staff also described plans for a new pedagogy assessment (Texas Test of Educator Proficiency) that would use a portfolio‑based model.
- Accountability rule updates for educator preparation programs: SBEC began an annual rulemaking cycle for chapter 229 (accountability for educator preparation programs). Discussion points included how small candidate groups are included in accountability calculations, whether to formally activate a student‑growth indicator for preparation programs, and aligning closure procedures for preparation programs with recent chapter 228 updates. Staff told the committee the board will consider proposed accountability changes at its July meeting.
- Emergency suspension authority and misconduct: staff explained that recent legislation (Senate Bill 571 and related bills) clarifies and expands SBEC’s emergency suspension authority. SBEC can seek emergency suspension when an educator has been convicted of certain criminal offenses (e.g., abuse) or when behavior demonstrates an imminent threat to student welfare; SBEC intends to appoint a committee to process emergency suspension orders.
- Fee waivers for certificate and exam attempts: staff announced implementation plans for legislative provisions waiving the first certification exam attempt fee and the certification application fee for candidates pursuing bilingual or special‑education certificates. TEA staff said interim reimbursement or administrative pathways are in place until system updates take effect; automatic waiver was scheduled to begin September 1.

Questions from committee members
Committee members asked for specifics about removing educators from classrooms while allegations are under investigation and about protection of students during investigation. SBEC staff referenced the new emergency suspension authority (SB 571) and said the board will provide additional procedural detail when it meets in July and establishes the processing committee.

Staff also agreed to provide the committee with the administrative communications to school districts that explain fee waiver implementation and to circulate the SBEC rule materials that will be considered for proposal and adoption during July meetings.

Next steps
SBEC will consider adoption of the consolidated standards (chapter 235 subchapters) and will vote on accountability rule proposals at its July meetings. Committee members asked TEA/SBEC staff to circulate the July agenda and to provide copies of the district‑facing fee‑waiver communications once finalized.

This report is based on the committee transcript and SBEC staff briefing to the committee; direct quotes and procedural points are attributed to TEA and SBEC staff and appear in the transcript referenced below.