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SBEC adopts updates to special‑education assignment rules and a new Texas content worksheet
Summary
The State Board for Educator Certification on Feb. 14 approved revisions to 19 TAC chapter 2.31 and a new Texas core content competency worksheet intended to clarify content competency rules for special education teachers of record and add targeted flexibilities for staffing shortages.
The State Board for Educator Certification voted to adopt revisions to 19 TAC chapter 2.31 on Feb. 14, approving a new Texas core content competency worksheet for special education teachers of record and clarifying which special education teachers must hold a special education certificate or meet alternate content proficiency.
Staff told the board the updated rule specifies that all special education teachers of record must have a Special Education Certificate and that, for those without an aligned content certificate, districts will complete a point‑based worksheet to demonstrate content competency. The worksheet replaces the older HOUSE guidance and aims to ensure students have access to grade‑level instruction.
Key changes approved at adoption include: adding district checkbox fields documenting whether staff previously showed content proficiency under the old HOUSE framework; increasing the allowable professional‑development window tied to renewal from 3 years to 5 years; allowing selected secondary professional development to count at the elementary level; adding National Board certification as a point‑generating activity; adding a 2‑point value for a Teacher Incentive Allotment designation; and adding a year‑long runway for secondary special education teachers who are assigned in two or more content areas so they may meet content requirements.
Stakeholders at the meeting and in written comment — including Disability Rights Texas and the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education (TCASE) — largely supported the changes while urging continued flexibility for secondary special education teachers who cover multiple content areas and caution about implementation details.
Staff said the worksheet preserves a grandfathering path for teachers already serving under HOUSE and added targeted technical edits at adoption to clarify administrator attestation fields and worksheet sections. The board voted to adopt the revisions subject to State Board of Education review; staff said implementation guidance and webinar support will follow and that a comprehensive FAQ will be published for districts and educator‑preparation programs.
The board’s motion to adopt the chapter 2.31 revisions carried on the record.
