Academics

College, Career and Military Preparation

Texas offers a number of programs designed to help make students college and career ready.  Those programs include Advanced Placement, dual credit, the International Baccalaureate program, and Early College High School. College and career readiness standards have been built into the TEKS.

Early Childhood Education

At TEA, our goal is for all Texas children to enter Kindergarten with the foundational knowledge and skills to be curious, confident and successful learners.  In partnership with families, schools and communities, TEA provides support for effective and aligned early learning opportunities, policies, and prekindergarten programs across the state of Texas.

Graduation Information

Through decades of hard work, Texas has developed one of the highest graduation rates in the country. Texas students can now craft a graduation plan that reflects their personal interests through the use of specializations called endorsements. Along with passing the required courses, Texas has required every graduating class, beginning with the Class of 1987, to pass state standardized tests in order to earn a diploma. 

High-Quality Instructional Materials

A growing body of research points to the positive impact high-quality instructional materials can have on student learning. TEA defines high-quality materials as those that ensure full coverage of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), align with research-based instructional strategies in each subject area, and support all learners.

Learn more about High-Quality Instructional Materials.

Instructional Materials

Despite major revisions in the textbook adoption and distribution process in recent years, Texas remains one of the most influential states in the instructional materials market in the country. Millions of print and online textbooks and other instructional materials are purchased each year.

Learning Support and Programs

A number of specialized programs are available to Texas students. These programs help provide a strong foundation, provide different learning environments and focus on workplace training. This includes programs such as character education, health and safety education, the Texas Virtual School Network, guidance and counseling and career and technical education.

Special Student Populations

Students enrolled in Texas schools speak more than 120 different languages. Consequently, a growing number of Texas students need help with English language acquisition. Bilingual education and English as a Second Language classes are available for these students. Others programs that focus on particular student needs are early childhood education, dyslexia and Section 504 training, and gifted and talented education. Specialized programs are also available to meet the needs of migrant students and children in foster care.

About eight percent of Texas public school students receive some kind of special education service. This can range, for example, from 30 minutes a week for speech therapy to life skills training. A wide array of support and services are available to students.

Subject Areas

The Subject Areas provides state-level support, information and non-regulatory guidance to school administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, and students about general curriculum laws and rules, particularly with respect to graduation requirements, options for offering courses, and the award of credit.

Chief Academic Officer Bulletin Archive

View an archive of the Chief Academic Officer Bulletins sent in 2018 and 2019.