TEA has provided an update to published correspondence on HB 2 Implementation: New Teacher Certification Requirements and Incentives for Uncertified Teachers, providing additional information on the process that districts must use if they wish to request approval from the commissioner of education to delay implementation of certification requirements for foundation curriculum courses within their district of innovation (DOI) plan until the beginning of the 2029-2030 school year.
These updates only apply to Texas school districts, not charter schools. Additional updates also specify that districts can no longer exempt themselves from the requirements regarding parental notification.
The update addresses the application process and requirements for to a delay of teacher certification. The application submitted to TEA must include an evaluation of how the district will transition to certification during the delay of teacher certification requirements. For an application, a district must:
- Identify the total number of uncertified individuals currently assigned to teach foundation curriculum courses in 2025-2026 as of the date of submission.
- Specify at least one EPP partner who will support certification efforts and reduce the district’s percentage of uncertified teachers.
- Enter the date of approval by the district board of trustees to submit the application for commissioner of education approval.
- Provide the web page link to the district board of trustees’ meeting agenda where the plan for the delay of teacher certification requirements was approved.
- Provide the webpage link to the board-approved plan.
Additionally, the update mentions district plans to address uncertified teachers. The plan must include a reasonable timeline and strategy for how the district plans to come into compliance with the requirements before the start of the 2029-2030 academic year. Proposed strategies may include targeted goals to decrease the percentage of uncertified teachers annually, including by grade level/subject, strategies to support uncertified teachers in completing certification, and plans for recruiting future pipelines of certified teachers. As a part of this plan, districts should identify at least one educator preparation program (EPP) partner to support the effort. Once the district has developed their plan to address uncertified teachers, the district board of trustees must approve the plan. The board-approved plan should be posted in an easily accessible location on the district website. TEA will then issue final approval through the application process.
Only one application can be submitted per district. More information can be found on the Application Submission for Delay of Teacher Certification Requirements webpage. Notifications of approval will be shared no later than March 31 of 2026.
The full update can be found here.
