The State Board for Educator Certification met Friday for the final time in 2024, with an agenda that included approval of three agenda items ATPE has been working on for most of the year: 19 TAC Chapter 231, which includes a new rubric for special educators to prove content competency; 19 TAC Chapter 235, teacher pedagogy standards; and 19 TAC Chapter 249, teacher disciplinary standards.  

The board’s approval of the revisions to rule text and new content competency rubric in 19 TAC Chapter 231 came after lengthy discussions and requests for revisions to the rubric point values at the September meeting. ATPE Lobbyist Tricia Cave, who served on the special populations working group that developed the content competency rubrics, thanked staff for the changes made in the rubrics since the September meeting, including revised rubric point totals and the inclusion of closely related field experience in the rubrics. Cave asked that the board consider adopting rule text that more closely aligned with the final version of the rubrics and more clearly spelled out the rules for educators who are grandfathered out of using the rubrics. After some discussion, the board agreed with the feedback provided by ATPE and adopted the alternate rule text that clearly delineated which educators would be grandfathered out of the new content competency rubrics.  

Cave also testified on the revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 235, teacher pedagogy standards, asking the board to consider lessening the emphasis on high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) over other materials in the standards. The board had a lengthy discussion concerning the prioritization of HQIM in the standards, with Deputy Commissioner Kelvey Osser stating that it was necessary in order to implement HB 1605.  After some discussion, an amendment was made to strike the word “prioritize” and instead use the word “emphasize.” Additionally, the board discussed the requirement in the standards for educators to use video evidence to reflect on their practice, with many board members expressing concern about privacy while also recognizing video as an important tool for reflection and learning.  Finally, the board discussed the implementation date for the new rules, with Associate Commissioner Jessica McLaughlin stating the Texas Education Agency (TEA) would provide plenty of training to EPPs as they began to implement the new rules with their candidates. 

The board also approved revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 249, teacher disciplinary standards. Both ATPE Lobbyist Tricia Cave and ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter testified on this item, with Cave asking for a change to contract abandonment rules to reflect the possibility of a spouse changing work locations but not companies, and Exter asking that the word “may” be placed back into the rules’ definition of solicitation of a romantic relationship. ATPE Managing Attorney Lance Cain also provided written testimony to the board.  

ATPE has been concerned that removing the word “may” from the text would shift the burden of proof from TEA having to prove the educator sought a romantic relationship with a student to the educator having to prove they didn’t. Board member Tommy Coleman, who is an attorney, agreed with ATPE’s interpretation of the language. After engaging in a spirited debate, the board adopted amended language that satisfactorily addressed the issues raised by both Cave and Exter.

Additionally, the board approved certain educator preparation programs (EPPs) to begin offering the residency preparation route that will allow candidates to graduate with an enhanced educator certificate upon completion of the program. SBEC approved the enhanced certificate as part of revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 230, which were approved in February. Finally, the board continued discussions about 19 TAC Chapter 235, Subchapter B, which will implement the statutory requirements of HB 2256 from the 87th Legislature, creating rules for a bilingual special education certificate.  

2025 SBEC meeting dates have not yet been announced.