Texas Education Agency Information
In order to teach in the state of Texas, all students must pass the required TExES exams. Students may take the exam a total of five times. If the student does not pass after five tries, then the candidate must complete a waiver through the Texas Education Agency to take the exam again.
What is the Texas Education Agency?
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is the state agency overseeing primary and secondary public education. TEA administers state and federal funding to public schools, manages the Texas assessment and accountability system, supports the State Board of Education and monitors for state and federal guideline compliance, among other functions. TEA is located in the William B. Travis building at 1701 N. Congress Ave. in Austin. View TCU College of Education TEA Accreditation Letter
Standards
- TEKS
- Texas Administrative Code
- TEA Technology Applications Standards
- TEA Curriculum Standards
- TExES PPR standards
Educator Appraisal Systems
Texas teachers are evaluated using T-TESS (Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System). Teacher effectiveness is based on: a) observation, b) teacher self-assessment, and c) student growth. Clinical Teaching classroom observations are based on the standards and skills addressed in the T-TESS. Texas Education Agency T-TESS information:
- T-TESS Overview
- T-TESS Laws and Rules
- Texas Principal Evaluation & Support System (T-PESS)
- Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS)
Performance
Education majors spend extensive time in the schools and agencies gaining real world experience. By graduation, students spend an average of 500 hours in diverse educational settings. Students have a consistent 98% pass rate on the Texas Teaching Certification Exam.
In 2013, 80.7% of newly certified teachers who began teaching in Texas public schools were hired the greater DFW area. In 2014, 78.9% were hired in the greater DFW area and in 2015, 89.2% were hired in the greater DFW area. The top 20 districts in the DFW metroplex where our teachers served (2013-2014) includes:
- Dallas ISD: 233
- Fort Worth ISD: 176
- Arlington ISD: 77
- Plano ISD: 73
- Garland ISD: 72
- Lewisville ISD: 65
- Richardson ISD: 56
- Frisco ISD: 54
- Mesquite ISD: 47
- Mansfield ISD: 43
- Keller ISD: 42
- Grand Prairie: 40
- Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD: 39
- Irving ISD: 38
- Denton ISD: 37
- McKinney ISD: 32
- Birdville ISD: 32
- Paradise ISD: 31
- HEB ISD: 30
- Eagle-Mountain Saginaw ISD: 26
In 2013 a total of 107 College of Education program completers were certified. In 2014, 97 were certified, and in 2015, 110 were certified.
Teacher Demand
- Teacher Shortages Spur a Nationwide Hiring Scramble The New York Times
- Address America’s Teacher Shortage the Right Way U.S. & World Report
- North Texas school districts fear a growing teacher shortage Fort Worth Star-Telegram
- What is the Job Outlook for Teachers? Houston Chronicle
- Texas Teachers Face Critical Shortage Areas KUT.org
The approved state-level shortage areas for the 2018-2019 school year are:
- Bilingual/English as a Second Language – Elementary and Secondary Levels
- Special Education – Elementary and Secondary Levels
- Career and Technical Education – Secondary Levels (including Technology Applications and Computer Science)
- Mathematics – Secondary Levels
Visit the TEA website to learn more.
Testing and Certification Resources
Texas Educators Code of Ethics
