SBEC begins rulemaking to implement SB 571 and SB 12, debating definitions and new temporary-suspension authority

The State Board for Educator Certification on Wednesday began detailed work to translate two 2025 laws into enforceable board rules, focusing on what school districts must report to the Texas Education Agency and how the board will use its new temporary suspension authority.

TEA staff told the board that SB 571 expands mandatory reporting by district leaders and narrows some reporting timelines, and that SB 12 creates statutory definitions (for terms such as diversity, equity and inclusion and social transitioning) that the staff recommends adopting “whole cloth” into the educator code of ethics rather than rewording in board rules. "We went from a triggering event like separation to evidence that one of these things has occurred, and we went from 7 days to 48 hours," a staff presenter said while explaining the timeline changes for district reporting to TEA. (Transcript: staff presentation at SEG 998SEG 1006.)

Why it matters: The changes affect when and how superintendents and principals must report allegations involving certified and noncertified employees and service providers, including…