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Texas Education Agency (TEA)

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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

Becoming a teacher in the state of Texas requires students to pass the required TExES exams. Students may take the exam a total of five times. If the test is not passed after five tries, the candidate must complete a waiver through the Texas Education Agency to take the exam again.

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:

Title II is the Federal accountability system which reports student success on initial teacher certification exams. Students in the College of Education consistently have a high rate of success on the TExES exam in the 97 to 100 percent range.

In 1873, TCU was among the first universities in Texas to offer teacher preparation. Students in the College of Education learn their profession in a curriculum rich in technology, centered on people and grounded in data-based theories and practices. Graduates of our teacher education program are highly sought after resulting in 100% job placement.

Faculty in the College of Education are recognized for their contributions to educational research and program development. As a result, our graduates have expertise in content, pedagogy, and technology and specializations in urban education, special education, mathematics and science education. Our faculty members and students work collaboratively with school systems and participate in many forms of international education.

TCU’s College of Education continues to evaluate our teacher preparation programs to ensure that our graduates fulfill our mission “to prepare effective, ethical leaders with a passion for learning.” 

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.

View TEA data dashboards and sort by Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to view data for TCU program completers.

TEA Data Dashboards

The 2024-2025 teacher shortage areas have been approved by the US Department of Education. The approved shortage areas for 2024-2025 are as follows:

Declared Areas – All levels unless noted

  • Bilingual/English as a Second Language
  • Career and Technical Education (secondary level only)
  • Computer Science/Technology Applications
  • English Language Arts and Reading (secondary level only)
  • Mathematics (secondary level only)
  • Special Education

The following are critical shortage areas allowing individuals to apply for TEACH Grants and/or Public Service Loan Forgiveness:

  • Bilingual/English as a Second Language
  • Career and Technical Education (secondary level only)
  • Computer Science/Technology Applications
  • Special Education

U.S. Department of Education - Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide 1990-present. 

In accordance with 19 TAC §228.35(a)(5)(A), military service members or military veterans may be given credit for certain verified military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience or related requirements (other than certification examinations) for educator certification requirements, provided that the military service, train, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought. Contact TCU Veteran Services Division of the Registrar’s Office the education department for additional information.

Effective September 1, 2015, the TEA waives certain fees for eligible military service members, military veterans, and military spouses. For more information, please see the TEA website  

Information regarding Military Service Members, Military Spouses, and Military Veterans may be found in the Texas Administrative Code 234

In accordance with 19 TAC §228.35(a)(5)(B), those who are not military service member or military veterans may be able to substitute prior or ongoing service, training or education, provided that the experience, education or training is not also counted as pare to the internship, clinical teaching, or practicum requirements, and the aforementioned was provided by an approved EPP or an accredited institution of higher education within the last five years, and is directly related to the certificate being sought.

Learn about filing complaints and grievances by visiting the Complaint Process page. The complete process is in the COE Educator Preparation Undergraduate Handbook pages 89-92.

TEA website