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School District Teaching Permit FAQ's

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding School District Teaching Permits( SDTP).

1. Who has authority to approve a SDTP?
The course determines who is granted authority to approve the SDTP request:

  • For “noncore academic career and technical education (CTE) courses” only, state law allows the school district board of trustees the authority to determine if a school district may issue a SDTP without approval by the commissioner of education.
  • Any teaching assignment other than for “noncore academic career and technical education (CTE)” is subject to approval by the commissioner of education to determine if a district may issue a SDTP.

2. What is a “Noncore Academic Career and Technical Education (CTE)” course?
Noncore academic CTE courses are CTE courses that are not eligible to satisfy foundation graduation course credit in mathematics, science, language arts, or social studies. Graduation information and contact information is available on the TEA webpage, State Graduation Requirements.

3. What are the qualifications for a SDTP to teach a Noncore Academic CTE course?
For noncore academic career and technical education (CTE) course(s) only, the authority to approve a SDTP is the School District Board of Trustees. The requirements to teach noncore academic CTE courses is based on qualifications as certified by the superintendent to the board of trustees. The individual’s qualifications must include demonstrated subject matter expertise, such as:

  • professional work experience,
  • formal training and education,
  • holding an active professional relevant industry license, certification, or registration,
  • or any combination of work experience, training and education, or industry license, certification, or registration, in the subject matter he or she will be teaching as determined by the district.

4. What are the qualifications for a SDTP that is subject to approval by the commissioner of education?
The qualifications for a SDTP to teach any teaching assignment other than a noncore academic CTE course, the candidate must have demonstrated subject matter expertise:

  • a bachelor’s degree (with the exception for career and technical education assignment),
  • college coursework in the subject matter he or she will be teaching,
  • demonstrated subject matter expertise in any combination of work experience, training and education, or industry license, certification, or registration, in the subject matter he or she will be teaching.

5. Who is not eligible for a SDTP subject to the approval by the commissioner of education?
An individual is not eligible for a SDTP subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education if he or she:

  • has or previously had a certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification,
  • has a pending application for a SBEC teaching certificate,
  • has applied for a teaching certificate and the application has been denied, has or once had a teaching certificate that has been sanctioned or revoked.

6. Are teachers eligible for a SDTP?
No. According to TEC.21.055 (a), “As provided by this section, a school district may issue a school district teaching permit and employ as a teacher a person who does not hold a teaching certificate issued by the board.”

7. Where do I find the list of course titles and course credit information?
The TEA website for the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), provides course and contact information on the state standards for what students should know and be able to do.

8. Where can I find the SDTP application?
State law requires the district to provide the commissioner with a written statement identifying the person, the courses he or she will teach, and his or her qualifications to teach the course. There are two different applications:

9. If my district is listed on the TEA website as a District of Innovation (DOI) with an approved plan that includes certification exemptions, do we need to submit school district teaching permits to place individuals in assignments.
Because DOIs are specific to each district, staff must be certain to review their plan prior to submitting a school district teaching permit to determine if the specific assignment is covered by the DOI plan. Keep in mind that exemption from certification requirements does not necessarily cover all teaching assignments. The implementation of the exemption may be narrow enough that a SDTP may still be appropriate for a particular assignment not covered by the DOI plan.

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