Relating to the certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency.
What changed between versions
New certification pathways including traditional, residency, and alternative preparation routes with specific practice hour requirements
Mandatory minimum salary differentials for certified versus uncertified teachers with zero years of experience
Mandatory inclusion of literacy and mathematics achievement academies in educator preparation programs
New requirement for synchronous training components in traditional teacher preparation routes
$1,000 one-time payments to districts for hiring uncertified first-year teachers who later earn standard certificates
New definitions for cooperating teachers, mentor teachers, and various partnership program types
Extended compliance deadline for uncertified teachers from 2029-2030 to 2030, with specific exemptions for districts with local innovation plans
New sanctions for noncompliance with educator preparation program standards including potential revocation of approval
Restrictions on using partnership program funds only for implementing partnership preservice programs
