Educators
Commission Overview
The Texas Classroom Commission, a teacher-led initiative launched by Governor Greg Abbott, puts Texas educators at the center of shaping the future of public education, strengthening student achievement, and ensuring Texas becomes the No. 1 state for educating kids.
Building on the historic investments in public education and teacher compensation secured by Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, and the Texas Legislature in recent sessions, the Commission will bring together exemplary public school educators from across Texas to develop practical, classroom-informed recommendations.
The Commission will develop recommendations to the Governor, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Legislature ahead of the 90th Legislative Session. Its work will focus on bolstering classroom instruction, supporting teachers, improving the learning environment, and ensuring Texas students are prepared to succeed.
Press Releases:
Governor Abbott has Requested the Commission Focus on Three Key Charges:
- Improving student proficiency in math and reading
- Limiting screentime in classrooms
- Identifying additional strategies to attract and retain high-quality teachers
Chair
The Commission is led by Courtney Boswell MacDonald of Kerrville. MacDonald is a former classroom teacher and the current chair of the State Board for Educator Certification. She previously worked on the Senate Education Committee and served as executive director for Texans for Education Reform, Texas Institute for Education Reform, and Texas Aspires. She is a former math teacher at Richardson ISD and Dallas ISD. MacDonald received a Bachelor of Science in fashion and communications and a secondary education certification from Texas Christian University and a Master of Public Policy in education policy from Vanderbilt University.
Members
The Commission consists of 21 current and former public-school educators from across Texas.
- Abbigale Grataski, Calallen ISD
- Bobbie Lynn Weir, Richardson ISD
- Cassidy Estes, Amarillo ISD
- Crystal Stipes, Comanche ISD
- Danette Wofford, Nacogdoches ISD
- Dawnna Talley, Ector County ISD
- Eric Hale, Dallas ISD
- Hannah Landry, Bridge City ISD
- Jean Streepey, Highland Park ISD
- JoMeka Gray, Temple ISD
- Karla Guevara, Riesel ISD
- Laura Fanning, Lubbock ISD
- Matthew Driver, Bushland ISD
- Nidia De La Cerda, Tuloso-Midway ISD
- Noe Perez, Los Fresnos CISD
- Sergio Arjon, Houston ISD
- Susanne Whitley, Tomball ISD
- Tevin King, IDEA Public Schools - El Paso
- Tiffany Kilcoyne, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
- Valton Acree, Yorktown ISD
- Veronica Bayne, Killeen ISD
Provide Feedback to the Texas Classroom Commission
Share your feedback by completing the Texas Classroom Commission survey. The survey will close on October 2, 2026.
A Look Back at the Teacher Vacancy Task Force
The TVTF was established in March 2022 by Governor Abbott to examine teacher retention and recruitment challenges across Texas. The TVTF met from March 2022 to February 2023 with the primary objectives of understanding challenges school systems are facing related to teacher vacancies and developing recommendations for regulatory or other policy changes for the Texas Education Agency, the Texas legislature, and local school systems.
The Teacher Vacancy Task Force's (TVTF) final report, Developing a Thriving Teacher Workforce in Texas, includes policy recommendations to address teacher vacancies throughout Texas.
The Texas Classroom Commission is an advisory committee under Ch. 2110 of the Texas Government Code and is not subject to Texas Open Meetings Act.
Most Popular Resources and Guidance
Curriculum and Instructional Resources
State curriculum standards, instructional materials, and key academic programs statewide.
Assessment and Testing
The Texas Assessment Program is a statewide testing program that includes the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) and others.
Special Populations and Student Supports
Programs on special populations policy, compliance, stakeholder engagement and field support, and academic, behavioral, discipline, and mental health supports.
Educator Certification
The Educator Certification division provides information and assistance for educators, school districts, and the public, especially as it pertains to becoming a teacher or administrator in Texas or renewing certification.
Student Protection Resource Center
The Student Protection Resource Center provides information on disciplinary actions taken against school staff by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).
Stay current with Certification Announcements and Updates
These announcements include information about educator certification, testing and deadlines.
Explore Topics for Educators
The Texas Education Agency provides a wide array of services that help educators do their jobs.
Review the details for obtaining Bachelor’s Degree, Completing an Educator Preparation Program, Passing Certification Exams, Submitting a State Application, and Complete Fingerprinting.
What you will find:
Information regarding the five requirements to become a certified teacher in Texas.
The Texas Evaluation and Support System (TESS) uses multiple measures in the development of educator quality to support student learning. This page provides information on the state recommended teacher and principal evaluation systems.
What you will find:
Texas Evaluation and Support System (TESS)
The Division of Educator Initiatives works to recruit, retain and reward excellent Texas educators. This section provides information about the various programs available to educators across the state.
What you will find:
Educator initiatives and programs
This page explains how Texas oversees educator conduct to protect students and maintain professional standards. It describes what constitutes educator misconduct, how the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) respond to allegations, and the investigation and disciplinary processes that may follow.
What you will find:
Educator Misconduct & Investigations
Educators must meet high standards and be well-prepared to teach in the classrooms of this state. Our Preparation and Continuing Education page provides information about educator preparation programs, continuing professional education opportunities and program provider resources.
What you will find:
Preparation and Continuing Education
Information about teacher salaries, service records, personnel issues and school accreditation.
What you will find:
Teacher Salary Information
The Superintendent Resources and Guidance page streamlines and consolidates the flow of important information from the state to school district superintendents in order to help them and their leadership teams solve problems.
What you will find:
General Guidance and FAQs
To The Administrator Addressed Correspondence
Superintendent Debriefs
Get Help & Support
The Texas Education Agency is committed to assisting the public with timely information, questions and concerns.
Contact for Educators
This is general contact information for the agency. For contact information for a specific agency employee or division, please view the New Division Directory.
- Phone:
- (512) 463-9734
- Email:
- generalinquiry@tea.texas.gov
- Mailing Address:
-
William B. Travis Building
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
Main Contact Information
Main Contact Information
Content Academies, Curriculum Standards, and Instructional Materials
Content Academies
Professional development for Texas educators to strengthen math and reading instruction.
Curriculum Standards
TEKS set learning standards for Texas schools and are reviewed and adopted by the SBOE with input from educators and stakeholders.
Instructional Materials
Learn about IMRA, LIFT, Bluebonnet Learning, instructional material procurement, and more.
Subject Areas
Access resources and guidance on programs, courses, TEKS implementation, curriculum, and graduation requirements organized by subject area.
Texas Assessment Program
These required assessments are designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to apply the defined knowledge and skills at each tested grade or the extent to which a student has developed English language proficiency and fulfill both federal and state requirements.
STAAR
Summative academic assessments for grades 3–12
STAAR Alternate 2
Summative academic assessments for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities
TELPAS
English language proficiency assessments for emergent bilingual students
TELPAS Alternate
English language proficiency assessments for emergent bilingual students with the most significant cognitive disabilities
Become Part of Texas Educator Committees
The Texas Education Agency encourages highly qualified educators to apply to participate in committees for the Texas Assessment Program.
Student Assessment Resources
Student Assessment Resources
- State and Federal Required Assessments Fact Sheet
- Texas Assessment Program Frequently Asked Questions
- TEC and TAC References for the Texas Assessment Program
- Student Assessment Correspondence with Districts
- Educator Advisory Committee
- Student Assessment A-Z Directory
- House Bill 8: Student Assessment
Additional Assessment Options
-
STAAR Interim Assessments
Optional online assessments aligned to the TEKS that help educators monitor student progress and predict student performance on STAAR
-
Texas Through-year Assessment Pilot
Exploratory assessment program to determine if Texas’ current summative assessments can be replaced with a cohesive progress-monitoring system
-
Texas Formative Assessment Resource
Free online platform that helps educators design, give, and share formative assessments
-
State-Approved Group-Administered Achievement Tests
List of group-administered achievement tests that meet the requirements of TEC §39.032
Texas Assessment Program Contact Information
The Student Assessment Division manages the administration, scoring, and reporting for the Texas Assessment Program.
TEA Student Assessment Division
- Phone:
- (512) 463-9536
The Assessment Development Division manages the item development, test construction, and scoring for the Texas Assessment Program.
TEA Assessment Development Division
- Phone:
- (512) 463-9536
Cambium hosts and manages the online testing platform for all assessments and manages the registration, administration, scoring, and reporting for the Texas Assessment Program.
Cambium Assessment, Inc.
- Phone:
- (833) 601-8821
Special Populations and Student Supports
-
Special Education and Related Services
Information about supports that empower students with disabilities to access learning that helps them achieve their educational goals.
-
Emergent Bilingual Supports
Information about TEA’s implementation of state and federal guidance regarding emergent bilingual program services.
-
Highly Mobile and At-Risk Students
Critical information, tools, and guidance related to supporting students experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or facing other high mobility challenges.
-
Student Supports
Supports to meet students’ multifaceted needs encompassing mental and behavioral health and wellbeing, and supportive discipline to equip students to succeed academically.
How to become a teacher in Texas or pursue continuing professional education
-
Educator Certification
The Educator Certification division provides information and assistance for educators, school districts, and the public, especially as it pertains to becoming a teacher or administrator in Texas or renewing certification.
-
Educator Preparation and Continuing Education
Educators must meet high standards and be well-prepared to teach in the classrooms of this state. Our Preparation and Continuing Education page provides information about educator preparation programs, continuing professional education opportunities and program provider resources.
-
Program Provider Resources
This page provides information to educator preparation programs (EPPs). Individuals seeking information about the performance of approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) should visit the Consumer Information about Educator Preparation Programs.
Educator Conduct and Ethics
Most Popular Resources and Guidance
Curriculum and Instructional Resources
State curriculum standards, instructional materials, and key academic programs statewide.
Assessment and Testing
The Texas Assessment Program is a statewide testing program that includes the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) and others.
Special Populations and Student Supports
Programs on special populations policy, compliance, stakeholder engagement and field support, and academic, behavioral, discipline, and mental health supports.
Educator Certification
The Educator Certification division provides information and assistance for educators, school districts, and the public, especially as it pertains to becoming a teacher or administrator in Texas or renewing certification.
Student Protection Resource Center
The Student Protection Resource Center provides information on disciplinary actions taken against school staff by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).
Stay current with Certification Announcements and Updates
These announcements include information about educator certification, testing and deadlines.
Explore Topics for Educators
The Texas Education Agency provides a wide array of services that help educators do their jobs.
Review the details for obtaining Bachelor’s Degree, Completing an Educator Preparation Program, Passing Certification Exams, Submitting a State Application, and Complete Fingerprinting.
What you will find:
Information regarding the five requirements to become a certified teacher in Texas.
The Texas Evaluation and Support System (TESS) uses multiple measures in the development of educator quality to support student learning. This page provides information on the state recommended teacher and principal evaluation systems.
What you will find:
Texas Evaluation and Support System (TESS)
The Division of Educator Initiatives works to recruit, retain and reward excellent Texas educators. This section provides information about the various programs available to educators across the state.
What you will find:
Educator initiatives and programs
This page explains how Texas oversees educator conduct to protect students and maintain professional standards. It describes what constitutes educator misconduct, how the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) respond to allegations, and the investigation and disciplinary processes that may follow.
What you will find:
Educator Misconduct & Investigations
Educators must meet high standards and be well-prepared to teach in the classrooms of this state. Our Preparation and Continuing Education page provides information about educator preparation programs, continuing professional education opportunities and program provider resources.
What you will find:
Preparation and Continuing Education
Information about teacher salaries, service records, personnel issues and school accreditation.
What you will find:
Teacher Salary Information
The Superintendent Resources and Guidance page streamlines and consolidates the flow of important information from the state to school district superintendents in order to help them and their leadership teams solve problems.
What you will find:
General Guidance and FAQs
To The Administrator Addressed Correspondence
Superintendent Debriefs
Get Help & Support
The Texas Education Agency is committed to assisting the public with timely information, questions and concerns.
Contact for Educators
This is general contact information for the agency. For contact information for a specific agency employee or division, please view the New Division Directory.
- Phone:
- (512) 463-9734
- Email:
- generalinquiry@tea.texas.gov
- Mailing Address:
-
William B. Travis Building
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701