TEA Mission and Responsibilities

Note: The agency’s mission statement is included in the current strategic plan.

Composition

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is comprised of the commissioner of education and agency staff. The agency is organized in work units called divisions or departments as seen in this organizational chart (PDF, 15KB), which was last updated October 21, 2014.

 TEA, the State Board of Education (SBOE), and the State Board for Educator Certification  (SBEC) guide and monitor activities and programs related to public education in Texas. The SBOE consists of 15 elected members representing different regions of the state. One SBOE member is appointed chair by the governor.  SBEC consists of 11 voting members and three non-voting members who establish educator preparation and certification policies and, when needed, sanction educators.  

 Roles & Responsibilities

Located in Austin, Texas at 1701 N. Congress Ave., TEA is the administrative unit for primary and secondary public education. Under the leadership of the commissioner of education, TEA:

• Administers the distribution of state and federal funding to public schools;
• Administers the statewide assessment program and accountability system;
• Provides support to the SBOE in the development of the statewide curriculum;
• Assists the SBOE in the instructional materials adoption process;
• Administers a data collection system on public school information;
• Performs the administrative functions and services for SBEC;
• Supports agency operations, including carrying out duties related to the Permanent School Fund; and
• Monitors for compliance with certain federal and state guidelines.

TEA's operational costs are supported by both state and federal funds.