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DISD School Board Delay of Teacher Certification Requirements

Texas districts can submit applications to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) between October 16, 2025, and March 2, 2026, to delay new teacher certification requirements for foundation curriculum courses until the 2029-2030 school year. Authorized under TEC §21.0032 (a-1), this process requires board-approved plans detailing efforts to transition uncertified teachers to full certification. 

Denison ISD currently employs a number of uncertified teachers in foundation curriculum areas. Due to ongoing statewide teacher shortages, particularly in high-need instructional areas, the district is requesting approval of a structured transition plan that ensures year-to-year reductions in uncertified placements while maintaining instructional quality and compliance.

Proposed Consideration and Approval of Application for Delay of Teacher Certification Requirements

Purpose

To present the Board of Trustees with Denison ISD’s application and transition plan for delaying 
full teacher certification requirements for foundation curriculum assignments, in accordance 
with state requirements.

Background

Per TEC, §21.003, a person may not be employed as a teacher, teacher intern or teacher trainee, librarian, educational aide, administrator, educational diagnostician, or school counselor by a school district unless the person holds an appropriate certificate or permit issued as provided by Subchapter B, which includes any State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)-issued certificate (intern, probationary, standard, or enhanced standard) or emergency permit for the subject area and grade level. Information regarding the appropriate certificate for a given personnel assignment can be found in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 231, Requirements for Public School Personnel Assignments.

Many districts have chosen to exempt themselves from this certification requirement and hire uncertified individuals through an approved DOI plan. HB 2’s new TEC, §21.0032, now limits districts’ ability to include exemptions from some certification requirements under TEC, §21.003, in their DOI plan. These limitations phase in over the next three academic years.

New Restrictions on DOI Plans Regarding Certification:
  • 2025-2026 - District maintains currently approved DOI plan which may include exemptions.
  • 2026-2027 - District can no longer include K-5 reading and math teachers in DOI plan.
  • 2027-2028 - District can no longer include all foundational subject teachers in DOI plan.

Note, districts with the appropriate and allowable approved exemptions in their plans maintain certification flexibility for non-foundation subjects, allowing career and technical education (CTE) and other enrichment subject teachers to continue serving in assignments. Districts can submit a plan for commissioner of education approval to delay the implementation of teacher certification requirements for teachers of record in foundation curriculum courses until the beginning of the 2029-2030 school year.

View the complete application