To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) Correspondence

2027-28 Full-Time Hybrid and Virtual Campus Authorization

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has launched the authorization process for full-time hybrid and virtual campuses, expanding access to high-quality, flexible learning opportunities for students across Texas.

This To the Administrator Addressed Letter (TAA) provides guidance on implementing Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 30B, Subchapter C, governing full-time hybrid and virtual campuses, as enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 569, 89th Regular Session, 2025. TEA is currently engaged in rulemaking to support this process and will continue to provide additional guidance as rules are adopted.

To support thoughtful planning and strong program design, this TAA outlines key information for school systems seeking to operate a full-time hybrid or virtual campus beginning in the 2027–28 school year. This process also provides an opportunity for school systems to engage early with authorization expectations, with the 2026–27 application offering an initial view of requirements that will inform the 2027–28 process.

TEA recognizes that some school systems have participated in a 2025–26 planning year and may be prepared to launch earlier than the 2027–28 school year. For these systems, TEA will provide an accelerated authorization pathway for campuses to begin operating this fall. This accelerated pathway includes both expedited and standard authorization options for the 2026–2027 school year, with applications opening in July 2026. Additional timelines and requirements for this opportunity are provided at the end of this TAA.

Under TEC, Chapter 30B, school systems may offer full-time hybrid or virtual programs without establishing a separate campus. Effective implementation requires a locally approved instructional plan and clearly defined policies that guide program design and operations. For additional context, please refer to the SB569 Overview: Virtual and Hybrid Learning Guidance for 2025-2026 School Year TAA.  

Overview of Authorization for Full-Time Hybrid and Virtual Campuses

To operate as a full-time hybrid or virtual campus under TEC, §30B.101, the campus must be authorized by the commissioner of education.

Texas public school districts and authorized open-enrollment charter schools are eligible to apply for authorization to operate full-time hybrid and virtual campuses.  

Under TEC, Chapter 30B:

  • A full-time hybrid campus is a campus at which at least 50 percent of the enrolled students are enrolled in a full-time hybrid program.
  • A full-time virtual campus is a campus at which at least 50 percent of the enrolled students are enrolled in a full-time virtual program.

Authorized campuses:

  • operate under their own county-district-campus-number (CDCN); and 
  • receive their own accountability rating.

Types of Authorization 

SB 569 establishes two pathways for school systems to complete an authorization process: expedited authorization and standard authorization.  

Expedited Authorization

The expedited authorization process differentiates application questions and review based on the campus’ prior record of success, as reflected by its most recent accountability rating.

To qualify for the expedited authorization, school systems must meet one of the following criteria:

  1. Operated an electronic course or full-time program through the state virtual school network in accordance with TEC, Chapter 30A, as the law existed immediately before the effective date of SB 569; or

  2. Operated a virtual education program during the 2022–23, 2023–24, or 2024–25 school year, regardless of whether the district or school received funding for students enrolled in the program.

    A virtual education program means: 

  • students were enrolled in a virtual or hybrid model and took four or more virtual or hybrid courses within a semester;
  • the majority of instruction was delivered through the virtual or hybrid model as part of a cohesive instructional program with coordinated curriculum, staffing, and student supports; and
  • the program was not limited to individual or supplemental virtual courses taken by students otherwise enrolled in and required to attend an in-person campus

School systems that operated a virtual education program during the 2022–23, 2023–24, or 2024–25 school year must submit documentation demonstrating the existence and scope of the program.

Standard Authorization

All other school systems that do not meet the qualifications for the expedited authorization process must complete the standard authorization process. This process includes completing a year of planning, implementation of a pilot, application submission, and a capacity interview. Most school systems in Texas will complete this authorization process.

2027-28 Full-Time Hybrid and Virtual Campus Authorization Timeline

 While the expedited process allows for rolling submission and review, both pathways align to a common authorization window to support timely campus planning for the 2027–28 school year.

Expedited Authorization Timeline

Date     Action
September 25, 2026 Expedited application is posted to the virtual and hybrid campus web page
September 25, 2026 – April 8, 2027 Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis
April 8, 2027   Final deadline to submit expedited applications
September 25, 2026 – May 8, 2027

TEA will review applications on a rolling basis; timing may vary based on submission date. Capacity interviews may be conducted as part of the review process.

Submission to decision timeline will be approximately 45 days.
June 7, 2027 Final authorization announcements
July 15, 2027   Deadline for authorized campuses to request a county-district-campus-number (CDCN), if applicable

Standard Authorization Timeline

Date Action
August 2026 – February 2027 Conduct year of planning and pilot implementation
September 25, 2026  Standard application is posted to the TEA Virtual and Hybrid campus web page
October 14, 2026 Mandatory Hybrid and Virtual Campus Authorization webinar (Option 1)
November 4, 2026  Mandatory Hybrid and Virtual Campus Authorization webinar (Option 2)
December 7, 2026 Notice of Intent form due
February 5, 2027 Application due
February 8, 2027 – March 5, 2027 TEA application review
March 8, 2027 – March 19, 2027  Capacity interviews 
April 28, 2027  Authorization announcements
May 31, 2027 If authorized, request county-district-campus-number (CDCN)
August 2027   Campus begins serving students

Applications

School systems must secure local board approval to submit an expedited or standard application for a full-time hybrid or virtual campus authorization.

For school systems seeking authorization to begin operating a campus in SY 2027–2028, the expedited application and standard application will be posted on September 25, 2026. Both applications will be available on the virtual and hybrid campus web page.

The 2026–2027 application provides an opportunity for eligible school systems to seek authorization to operate in Fall 2026 while also offering early visibility into requirements for the 2027–2028 cycle.

School systems must submit the hybrid or virtual campus application via the agency’s form and include all required evidence, such as documentation of school board approval for establishing the campus and any additional required artifacts.

2027-28 Full-Time Hybrid and Virtual Campus Authorization Planning 

TEA will publish the 2027–28 application and supporting guidance on the Virtual and Hybrid Campuses web page. School systems may pursue either an expedited or standard authorization pathway, based on eligibility criteria outlined above and on the website.

Expedited Authorization Planning

Eligible school systems may apply for expedited authorization by submitting a formal application demonstrating student performance, leadership capacity, and alignment with statutory requirements. Application requirements are differentiated based on the campus’s most recent accountability rating. The streamlined application and differentiated review are based on the campus’s prior record of success, as reflected in its accountability rating.

Standard Authorization Planning

School systems that do not pursue expedited authorization will complete a planning year beginning in Fall 2026, including pre-operational planning and pilot program implementation to demonstrate readiness.

Beginning in Fall 2026, school systems must begin their year of planning and pilot implementation that meets the following criteria.

Pilot Program Optional Pilot Program
(Hybrid Campuses Only)
Serve a defined cohort of full-time students in a hybrid or virtual model for at least one semester or 12 consecutive instructional weeks. The cohort must include either one full grade level or a minimum of 25 students. Offer a minimum of three hybrid or virtual courses to a defined group of students for at least 12 consecutive instructional weeks.
Utilize a technology platform (e.g., a learning management system) that supports course delivery aligned with the Texas essential knowledge and skills (TEKS).
Provide academic instruction and ensure access to all required services and supports for students, including those with disabilities and other special populations, in compliance with applicable state and federal laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Include staff responsible for instruction and key operational roles aligned with the proposed campus model.
Track student attendance and monitor engagement and academic progress.
Establish a defined schedule that incorporates synchronous and/or asynchronous instruction.
Collect and report data on student performance, engagement, and stakeholder feedback to support continuous improvement.

Additional details for planning, pilot design, and submission requirements will be on the website.

School systems intending to apply for standard authorization must submit a Notification of Intent by December 7, 2026. The form and instructions are available on the Virtual and Hybrid Campus web page.

Authorization

Authorization will be granted only to those school systems that demonstrate robust planning and preparation, including documented board approval, as determined through rubric-based review. The commissioner may only authorize a virtual or hybrid campus if it is determined that the authorization of the campus is likely to result in improved student learning opportunities.

2026-27 Hybrid and Virtual Campus Authorization Timeline

For school systems that have engaged in robust planning and are ready to operate a hybrid or virtual campus, TEA will provide an accelerated authorization pathway for campuses to begin operating this fall. This accelerated pathway includes both expedited and standard authorization options for the 2026–2027 school year, with applications opening in July 2026.

The 2026–27 application process also serves as an early opportunity for systems considering participation in 2027–28, providing visibility into expectations and helping inform which key components may require piloting or further preparation.

2026-27 Timeline

Date    Action
July 2, 2026  Standard application posted to the virtual and hybrid campus web page
July 8, 2026  Expedited application posted to the virtual and hybrid campus web page
July 9, 2026  Mandatory Informational webinar (Option 1)
July 9, 2026 Notice of Intent form due
July 14, 2026 Mandatory Informational webinar (Option 2)
July 22, 2026 Standard application due
July 29, 2026 Expedited application due
July 23 – 31, 2026 Application review
July 23 – 31, 2026 Capacity interview
August 5, 2026 Approval notification
August 15, 2026   Deadline to apply for a county-district-campus-number (CDCN)

Resources and Support 

The agency provides resources and support to help school systems plan and implement virtual and hybrid programs and campuses.

The Virtual and Hybrid Program Accelerator (VHPA)

As part of the Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) grant, the Virtual and Hybrid Program Accelerator (VHPA) offers resources to support virtual and hybrid education.

School systems in VHPA will receive customized technical assistance to design, implement, and continuously improve their virtual or hybrid program or campus. Through VHPA, school systems will receive funding and technical assistance (TA) to develop flexible, personalized learning models that support students requiring adaptable education pathways. The program also enables school systems to implement innovative staffing strategies, expand course offerings, and increase access to high-quality instruction statewide.

Further information regarding VHPA – LASO 5 will be made available on the LASO website.

Micro-credential in Digital Teaching 

Starting in August 2026, the agency will offer Micro-credentials in Digital Teaching with a focus on virtual and hybrid education. These micro-credentials are role-based and adaptive, providing differentiated learning pathways for novice and advanced teachers, school leaders, and instructional coaches.

Additional Support 

The Division of Virtual and Hybrid Education is available to support school systems as they explore or implement virtual and hybrid learning options. School systems may contact the division at virtual.hybrid@tea.texas.gov with questions or to request a consultation call to discuss proposals, design considerations, or implementation planning.

For further assistance, please direct any additional questions to virtual.hybrid@tea.texas.gov.