Certification
Whether you are a recent college graduate, a mid-career changer, or a teacher from another state/country, the information below is provided to assist you in reaching your goals in the field of education. You can also visit the State Board for Educator Certification Web site at www.sbec.state.tx.us to find more information about becoming certified to work in the education field.
Certification Exams
Every person seeking educator certification in Texas is required to pass comprehensive examinations to ensure that each educator has the prerequisite content and professional knowledge necessary for an entry-level position in Texas public schools. These examinations are called TExES exams. To find out more information about TExES exams and to register, go to www.texes.ets.org.
No Child Left Behind
NCLB requires school districts to have a plan for all teachers in core academic subject areas to become “highly qualified” by the end of the 2006-2007 school year. Teachers hired after the first day of instruction of the 2002-2003 school year who teach core academic subjects in a Title 1, Part A program must be “highly qualified” when hired.
“Highly Qualified” means that the teacher:
- Has obtained full State certification as a teacher or has passed the State teacher licensing examination and holds a license to teach in the State;
- Holds a bachelor’s degree at a minimum;
- Has demonstrated subject area competence in each of the core academic subjects in which the teacher teaches.
USDE rule 34 DFR 200.55(c) defines the core academic subjects as English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts (fine arts), history and geography.
To find out more information about NCLB, go to www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb.
Learn more about Texas Teacher Certification