Proposed Commissioner of Education Rules

All proposed new rules, proposed amendments to existing rules, and proposed repeals being considered by the commissioner of education are available here. The rule text on this page reflects what was filed as proposed with the Texas Register. Rule actions will remain on this page until approved for adoption by the commissioner and filed as adopted with the Texas Register.

During the proposed rule public comment period, you may submit public comments electronically using the public comment form. See proposals below for their comment periods.

If you have questions about the public comment process for proposed rulemaking, please view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page or contact the TEA Rulemaking Unit at (512) 475-1497 or by email at rules@tea.texas.gov.

The following links present the preamble filed with the Texas Register in PDF format. The preamble includes information describing the proposed rule action as well as the rule text. The PDF contains a bookmark that will allow you to navigate directly to the beginning of the rule text using the bookmarks feature of your PDF reader.

If you do not have a PDF reader, you may download the Adobe Acrobat Reader for free from the Adobe website.

PROPOSED RULES WITH OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS

Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations, Subchapter AA, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Special Education Services, Division 2, Clarification of Provisions in Federal Regulations and State Law, §89.1011, Full Individual and Initial Evaluation; §89.1040, Eligibility Criteria; §89.1050, The Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee; and §89.1055, Content of the Individualized Education Program, and Division 5, Special Education and Related Service Personnel, §89.1131, Qualifications of Special Education, Related Service, and Paraprofessional Personnel
Summary: The proposed amendments would implement House Bill 3928, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, and codify current program practices.
Resumen en Español: Las modificaciones propuestas implementarían la Ley 3928 de la Cámara de Representantes, 88. ° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2023, y codificarían las prácticas actuales de programas.
Publication in the Texas Register: March 22, 2024 
Public Comment Period: March 22, 2024-April 22, 2024
Public Hearing Information: Public hearings will be conducted to solicit testimony and input on the proposed amendments at 9:30 a.m. on April 8 and 10, 2024. The public may participate in either hearing virtually by linking to the hearing at https://zoom.us/j/94990719111. Anyone wishing to testify must be present at 9:30 a.m. and indicate to TEA staff their intent to comment and are encouraged to also send written testimony to sped@tea.texas.gov. The hearing will conclude once all who have signed in have been given the opportunity to comment. Questions about the hearing should be directed to Derek Hollingsworth, Special Populations Policy, Reporting, and Technical Assistance, Derek.Hollingsworth@tea.texas.gov.
Proposed Effective Date: July 7, 2024

Send a public comment on Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC §89.1011, 89.1040, 89.1050, 89.1055, and 89.1131

Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 89, Adaptations for Special Populations, Subchapter AA, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Special Education Services, Division 2, Clarification of Provisions in Federal Regulations and State Law, §89.1049, Parental Rights Regarding Adult Students, and §89.1065, Extended School Year Services; and Division 6, Regional Education Service Center Special Education Programs, §89.1141, Education Service Center Regional Special Education Leadership
Summary: The proposed amendments would clarify terminology and codify current program practices.
Resumen en Español: Las modificaciones propuestas aclararían la terminología y codificarían las prácticas actuales de programas.
Publication in the Texas Register: March 22, 2024 
Public Comment Period: March 22, 2024-April 22, 2024
Public Hearing Information: Public hearings will be conducted to solicit testimony and input on the proposed amendments at 9:30 a.m. on April 4 and 5, 2024. The public may participate in either hearing virtually by linking to the hearing at https://zoom.us/j/96584642284. Anyone wishing to testify must be present at 9:30 a.m. and indicate to TEA staff their intent to comment and are encouraged to also send written testimony to sped@tea.texas.gov. The hearing will conclude once all who have signed in have been given the opportunity to comment. Questions about the hearing should be directed to Derek Hollingsworth, Special Populations Policy, Reporting, and Technical Assistance, Derek.Hollingsworth@tea.texas.gov.
Proposed Effective Date: July 7, 2024

Send a public comment on Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC §§89.1049, 89.1065, and 89.1141

Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 100, Charters, Subchapter AA, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Open-Enrollment Charter Schools
Summary: The proposed revisions would reorganize the subchapter as well as reflect changes to the Texas Education Code resulting from House Bill (HB) 1707, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023; Senate Bill (SB) 2032, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023; SB 879 , 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021; HB 189, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021; SB 1615, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021; and SB 2293, 86th Texas Legislature, 2019.
Resumen en Español: Las modificaciones propuestas reorganizarían el subcapítulo y reflejarían los cambios al Código de Educación de Texas producto de las siguientes leyes: Ley 1707 de la Cámara de Representantes (HB), 88.° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2023; Ley 2032 del Senado (SB), 88.° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2023; Ley 879 del Senado (SB), 87.° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2021; Ley 189 de la Cámara de Representantes (HB), 87.° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2021; Ley 1615 del Senado (SB), 87.° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2021; y Ley 2293 del Senado (SB), 86.° Legislatura de Texas, 2019.
Publication in the Texas Register: March 15, 2024
Public Comment Period: March 15, 2024-April 15, 2024
Proposed Effective Date: June 25, 2024

Send a public comment on Proposed Revisions to Chapter 100, Subchapter AA

Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 102, Educational Programs, Subchapter BB, Commissioner Rules Concerning the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) Program, §102.1021, Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program
Summary: The proposed new rule would implement House Bill 2209, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, by establishing the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership program.
Resumen en Español: La nueva norma propuesta implementaría la Ley 2209 de la Cámara de Representantes, 88. ° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2023, mediante el establecimiento del Programa de Asociaciones Rurales hacia la Excelencia en Trayectorias (Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program).
Publication in the Texas Register: April 12, 2024 
Public Comment Period: April 12, 2024-May 13, 2024
Proposed Effective Date: July 23, 2024

Send a public comment on Proposed New 19 TAC §102.1021

Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 105, Foundation School Program, Subchapter DD, Commissioner's Rules Concerning University Interscholastic League Allotment, §105.1031, Allotment for Non-enrolled Students Participating in University Interscholastic League Activities
Summary: The proposed new rule would implement House Bill 3708, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, by establishing provisions related to an allotment for local educational agencies that allow non-enrolled students to participate in University Interscholastic League activities.
Resumen en Español: La nueva norma propuesta implementaría la Ley 3708 de la Cámara de Representantes, 88.° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2023, al establecer disposiciones relacionadas con una asignación para agencias educativas locales que permitan a los estudiantes no inscritos participar en actividades de la Liga Interescolar Universitaria.
Publication in the Texas Register: March 22, 2024 
Public Comment Period: March 22, 2024-April 22, 2024
Proposed Effective Date: July 2, 2024

Send a public comment on Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC §105.1031

PROPOSED RULES WITH CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS

Proposed New 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter DD, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Mathematics Instruction, §74.2101, Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program
Summary: The proposed new section would implement Senate Bill 2124, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, by establishing requirements related to automatic enrollment of certain middle school students into an advanced mathematics program designed to prepare students to enroll in Algebra I in Grade 8.
Resumen en Español: La nueva sección propuesta implementaría la Ley 2124 del Senado, 88. ° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2023, mediante la creación de requisitos relacionados con la inscripción automática de determinados estudiantes de escuela intermedia en un programa de matemáticas avanzadas pensado para preparar a los estudiantes para inscribirse en Álgebra I en octavo grado.
Publication in the Texas Register: February 23, 2024
Public Comment Period: February 23, 2024-March 25, 2024
Proposed Effective Date: June 4, 2024

Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 97, Planning and Accountability, Subchapter AA, Accountability and Performance Monitoring, §97.1001, Accountability Rating System
Summary: The proposed amendment would adopt in rule applicable excerpts of the 2024 Accountability Manual. Earlier versions of the manuals will remain in effect with respect to the school years for which they were developed.
NOTE: The 2024 Accountability Manual filed as proposed with the Texas Register for publication on February 23, 2024, inadvertently omitted a table in Chapter 3. A corrected manual has been filed with the Texas Register for publication on March 1, 2024. The attached manual reflects the corrected manual, which includes the table Part A: Academic Growth: Annual Growth Points (STAAR) on page 27. 
Resumen en Español: La modificación propuesta adoptaría como norma pasajes aplicables del Manual de rendición de cuentas del año 2024. Las versiones anteriores de los manuales seguirán vigentes con respecto a los años escolares para los que fueron elaboradas.
Publication in the Texas Register: February 23, 2024
Public Comment Period: February 23, 2024-March 25, 2024
Public Hearing Information: A public hearing to solicit testimony and input on the proposed amendment will be held at 1:00 p.m. on March 5, 2024. The public may participate in the hearing virtually by registering for the meeting. Parties interested in testifying must register online by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the hearing and are encouraged to also send written testimony to performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov. The hearing will conclude once all who have registered have been given the opportunity to comment. Questions about the hearing should be directed to the TEA Division of Performance Reporting at (512) 463-9704 or performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov. 
Proposed Effective Date: May 14, 2024

Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 101, Assessment, Subchapter DD, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Substitute Assessments for Graduation, §101.4003, Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Exit-Level Alternate Assessments
Summary: The proposed amendment would update the performance standards for former students whose assessment graduation requirement was the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) based on the redesign of the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR®).
Figure: 19 TAC §101.4003(a), Alternate Assessments Standards
Resumen en Español: La modificación propuesta actualizaría los estándares de desempeño para antiguos estudiantes cuyo requisito de evaluación para graduación fuera los exámenes de conocimientos y habilidades esenciales de Texas (TAKS), en función del nuevo diseño de la evaluación de preparación académica del estado de Texas (STAAR®).
Publication in the Texas Register: February 16, 2024
Public Comment Period: February 16, 2024-March 18, 2024
Proposed Effective Date: May 20, 2024

Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 102, Educational Programs, Subchapter AA, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Early Childhood Education Programs, §102.1003, High-Quality Prekindergarten Program
Summary: The proposed amendment would address requirements for teachers of prekindergarten classes provided by an entity with which a school district contracts to provide prekindergarten as required by House Bill 2729, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023. The proposed amendment would also make technical edits for clarification and update the rule to align with updated prekindergarten guidelines and current research.
Resumen en Español: La modificación propuesta abordaría los requisitos para maestros de clases de prekínder ofrecidas por una entidad con la que un distrito escolar tiene contrato para prestar servicios de prekínder, según lo exige la Ley de la Cámara de Representantes (HB) 2729, 88.° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2023. La modificación propuesta también haría correcciones técnicas para fines de aclaración y actualizaría la regla para armonizarla con las pautas actualizadas para prekínder y las investigaciones actuales.
Publication in the Texas Register: December 15, 2023
Public Comment Period: December 15, 2023-January 22, 2024
Proposed Effective Date: April 2, 2024

Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 102, Educational Programs, Subchapter MM, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Supplemental Special Education Services Program, §102.1601, Supplemental Special Education Services and Instructional Materials Program for Certain Public School Students Receiving Special Education Services
Summary: The proposed amendment would implement House Bill 1926, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, which removed the expiration date of the program and removed a limit on the maximum amount of funds that can be spent on the program. Instead, the program will be limited only to the appropriation set aside by the legislature. The proposed amendment would also modify eligibility criteria, establish an annual application window and procedures for families who miss the window, and remove program notification requirements in certain circumstances.
Resumen en Español: La modificación propuesta implementaría la Ley 1926 de la Cámara de Representantes, 88. ° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2023, que eliminó la fecha de vencimiento del programa y suprimió un límite en el monto máximo de fondos que se pueden gastar en el programa. En su lugar, el programa se limitará únicamente a la asignación reservada por la legislatura. La modificación propuesta también cambiaría los criterios de elegibilidad, establecería un período anual de postulaciones y procedimientos para las familias que dejan pasar dicho periodo, y eliminaría los requisitos de notificación del programa en determinadas circunstancias.
Publication in the Texas Register: February 23, 2024
Public Comment Period: February 23, 2024-March 25, 2024
Public Hearing Information: Public hearings will be conducted to solicit testimony and input on the proposed amendment at 9:30 a.m. on March 7 and 8, 2024. The public may participate in either hearing virtually by linking to the hearing at https://zoom.us/j/98622267603. Anyone wishing to testify must be present at 9:30 a.m. and indicate to TEA staff their intent to comment and are encouraged to also send written testimony to sped@tea.texas.gov. The hearing will conclude once all who have signed in have been given the opportunity to comment. Questions about the hearing should be directed to Derek Hollingsworth, Special Populations Policy, Reporting, and Technical Assistance Division, at Derek.Hollingsworth@tea.texas.gov.
Proposed Effective Date: June 9, 2024

Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 104, Accelerated Instruction, §104.1001, Accelerated Instruction, Modified Teacher Assignment, and Accelerated Learning Committee
Summary: The proposed amendment would implement House Bill 1416, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, by providing approval criteria for instruction through automated, computerized, or other augmented method; establishing school district or open-enrollment charter school waivers of accelerated instruction requirements; and clarifying supplemental instruction requirements for students repeating an entire course.
Resumen en Español: La modificación propuesta aplicaría la Ley 1416 de la Cámara de Representantes, 88.° Legislatura de Texas, sesión ordinaria, 2023, al brindar criterios de aprobación para la enseñanza mediante métodos automatizados, computarizados u otro tipo de métodos mejorados; establecer exenciones de requisitos de enseñanza acelerada para distritos escolares o escuelas autónomas de inscripción abierta; y aclarar los requisitos de enseñanza complementaria para estudiantes que repiten un curso completo.
Publication in the Texas Register: February 16, 2024
Public Comment Period: February 16, 2024-March 18, 2024
Proposed Effective Date: May 28, 2024

Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 109, Budgeting, Accounting, and Auditing, Subchapter AA, Commissioner's Rules Concerning Financial Accountability, §109.1001, Financial Accountability Ratings
Summary: The proposed amendment would update financial accountability rating information and rating worksheets for school districts and open-enrollment charter schools.
Figure: School FIRST - Rating Worksheet Dated June 2024 for Rating Years 2023-2024+
Figure: Charter FIRST - Rating Worksheet Dated June 2024 for Rating Years 2023-2024+
Resumen en Español: La modificación propuesta actualizaría la información sobre valoración de rendición de cuentas financiera y las planillas de valoración para distritos escolares y escuelas autónomas de inscripción abierta.
Publication in the Texas Register: February 23, 2024
Public Comment Period: February 23, 2024-March 25, 2024
Proposed Effective Date: June 4, 2024