Career and Technical Education

The online PD courses for any teacher teaching a CTE course that counts for math or science credit are back up and open to take on TEALearn.

All teachers assigned to a CTE course that qualifies for math or science credit are required to participate in the following Texas Education Agency-approved training prior to teaching the course. It is only required that the teacher complete the course(s) once. Once the course(s) are completed be sure to print out multiple copies of the completion certificate to have on file.

Teachers Assigned to Math Courses:

Integrating Math into the CTE Classroom, Part 1 and Part 2, is available on TEALearn

Teachers Assigned to Science Courses:

Integrating Science into the CTE Classroom, Part 1 and Part 2, is available on TEALearn

TEA Science Safety Training for High School

Science Safety Training

Career Preparation General and Career Preparation for Programs of Study

The Career Preparation course is for paid or unpaid experiences. The classroom component must address all the TEKS for the course, with accommodations or modifications as specified by the student’s IEP if it is a student who receives special education services. The training site will provide students with a variety of learning experiences that will give them the broadest possible understanding of the business or industry.

• Each Career Preparation course must consist of student participation in career preparation training appropriate to the instructional program plus participation in related CTE classroom instruction. The course should span the entire school year, and classroom instruction must average one class period each day for every school week. Class periods are required to be a minimum of 45 minutes in length. A student is expected to be enrolled the entire school year. However, in accordance with LEA policy, a student may enter or exit the course when extenuating circumstances require such a change.

• A student must be a minimum age of 16 and hold valid work documentation, such as a Social Security card, to participate in paid Career Preparation learning experiences.

• Students unemployed or without an unpaid work-based learning experience for more than 15 consecutive school days are not eligible for contact hours.

• An LEA must not enroll a student in a Career Preparation course in any setting that does not allow a student to be enrolled for the entire school year, such as credit recovery.

Practicum Courses

Practicum courses and other two credit or three credit CTE courses found in 19 TAC Chapter 127 may be used as laboratory-based, paid, or unpaid work experiences for students.

• Each practicum course using a work-based learning instructional arrangement must consist of student participation in training aligned with the student’s program of study plus participation in related CTE classroom instruction. A practicum course spans the entire year. A student is expected to be enrolled the entire school year. However, in accordance with LEA policy, a student may enter or exit the course when extenuating circumstances require such a change.

• In a practicum instructional arrangement, related classroom instruction must average one class period per week during the school year. Student instruction during the one class period per week is required to be a minimum of 45 minutes in length.

• A student must be a minimum age of 16 and hold valid work documentation such as a Social Security card to enroll in any of the practicum learning experiences that have a paid component.

• Students unemployed for more than 15 consecutive school days in a practicum learning experience must be placed in an unpaid learning experience.

The following applies to Career Preparation and Practicum Courses as specified.

Training Plan Requirements and Date on Which Students May Earn Contact Hours

Written training plans must be on file for any student participating in either a paid or unpaid work-based learning experience at an approved training site except for a student participating in an unpaid practicum for which the teacher of record provides all training. The training plan form is available at http://tea.texas.gov/CTE_Career_Preparation_and_Practicum_Courses/.

A student in paid or unpaid work-based instruction may be counted for contact hours on the first day of enrollment, provided a training plan for the student is on file within 15 school days of the student’s employment date.

Additional Requirements for Students Participating in Paid or Unpaid Learning Experiences

For a student participating in paid or unpaid experiences, employment must begin within 15 school days of the student’s enrollment date. If a student’s employment ends before the end of the school year, contact hours may be counted without interruption provided the student’s training resumes within 15 school days and a written training plan is on file within 15 school days of employment.

Required Site Visits by Teachers

A teacher assigned to teach courses involving work-based learning experiences, both paid and unpaid, must physically visit each student training site at least six times each school year. If a student’s work-based learning experience is 100 percent remote, the teacher assigned may conduct online video site visits. The teacher must be provided time within his or her schedule to visit the training sites. The training site visits must not be conducted during the teacher’s planning and preparation period.145 Regardless of the length of a grading period, at least one training site visit must be conducted during each grading period to earn contact hours for that reporting period.

TEC §39.053 requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to account for high school students who earn an industry-based certification (IBC) as one indicator within the student achievement domain of the state's public school accountability system. The purpose of the IBC list is to identify certifications that prepare students for success in the workforce, military, or postsecondary education.

To develop the new list, all IBCs on the 2022-2025 list, credentials on the TWC Inventory of Industry-Recognized Credentials List, state and federal licenses, and newly submitted IBCs were reviewed. A total of 2,036 unique credentials were considered against criteria outlined in 19 TAC §74.1003.

The following resources are intended to help school system staff understand updates in order to make future programmatic decisions:

Certifying entities with an IBC that was submitted through the application process, reviewed, and not approved for inclusion on the 2025-2030 list may request a re-evaluation. Certifying entities with an IBC eligible for re-evaluation will receive an email with the requirements for resubmission. The Texas Education Agency must receive all documentation for re-evaluation via the unique link provided in the email not later than Friday, August 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CDT. Applications for re-evaluation with incomplete documentation or that are submitted late will not be re-evaluated.

At the conclusion of the re-evaluation process, the preliminary list will be updated with any additional certifications and the final 2025-2030 list of IBCs to be used for public school accountability will be published. The anticipated date is October 15, 2025.

Additional resources will be available in September to support school systems in making decisions regarding IBCs to offer in future school years.

House Bill 2 (HB 2) passed during the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, and was signed into law by Governor Abbott. A previous TAA, Legislative Updates Related to District of Innovation Prohibitions, released by the agency on July 31, 2025, included brief information on Texas Education Code (TEC) §21.0032, Employment of Uncertified Classroom Teachers. This communication provides additional information on teacher certification requirements for foundation curriculum, which may impact district of innovation (DOI) plans, and provides information on an incentive for uncertified teachers to achieve certification.

Teacher Certification Requirements for Foundation Curriculum

Update to District of Innovation Provision:

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 from 21.003

2026-2027: District can no longer include K-5 reading and mathematics teachers in DOI plan exemptions from 21.003

2027-2028: District can no longer include all foundational subject teachers (i.e., reading/English language arts, math, science, and social studies) in any grade level in DOI plan exemptions from 21.003

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.

For the 2025-2026 School Year

Who can a district use to provide college preparatory math and college preparatory English courses for CCMR purposes?

For the 2025-2026 school year a district can use any provider for college preparatory math and/or college preparatory English courses. There is no list of approved providers for 2025-2026. You must still have an MOU with the provider you choose to use to offer the college preparatory courses and follow all MOU requirements.

Who can take college preparatory math and college preparatory English courses for CCMR purposes?

Only students who take college preparatory math and/or college preparatory English in the 12th grade will be eligible for CCMR credit.

What course codes should a district used to report college preparatory math and college preparatory English in PEIMS in 2025-2026?

TEA has created new unique codes for use in the 2025-2026 school year. School districts are expected to implement these course codes beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year. The adoption of these standardized codes will enhance the Agency’s ability to accurately identify CPC partnerships statewide and to monitor student participation with individual providers. It is critical that you use the correct codes in PEIMS for the 2025-2026 school year.

The list of new codes can be found at the following links.

Course Codes Change Log (May 22, 2025)
Texas Web-Enabled Data Standards: Course Codes (May 22, 2025)

If you are using South Plains College for college preparatory math and/or college preparatory English, the codes are:

CP110126 CPC ELA - South Plains College

CP111226 CPC Mathematics - South Plains College

If you are using Texas College Bridge for college preparatory math and/or college preparatory English, the codes are:

CP110128 CPC ELA - Texas College Bridge

CP111228 CPC Mathematics - Texas College Bridge

If you are using a different provider, please check the full list of course codes at the link above for the appropriate course code.

For the 2026-2027 School Year

Who can a district use to provide college preparatory math and college preparatory English courses for CCMR purposes?

For the 2026-2027 school year a district must use a provider from the TEA list of approved college preparatory course providers. Version 1.0 of the list was released on May 29, 2025. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will implement the list of approved providers for College Preparatory Courses beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. The agency will continue to add newly approved providers to the list each fall as additional evaluation data becomes available. The provider application process will open again in Fall 2025.

List of Approved College Preparatory Courses for CCMR version 1.0 (May 29, 2025)

If a school chooses to use a provider that is not on the approved list, the course would not be eligible for CCMR credit purposes.

Who can take college preparatory math and college preparatory English courses for CCMR purposes?

Only students who take college prep math and/or college prep English in the 12th grade will be eligible for CCMR credit.

Additionally, all updates regarding the College Preparatory Courses for CCMR Accountability can be found on the TEA web site at https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/college-preparatory-courses-for-ccmr-accountability

Refreshed Texas OnCourse Academy

Experience more than 30 updated learning modules and engaging interactives that align with the latest state standards and best practices. Explore streamlined content in Financial Aid and Literacy, Career Development, College Planning, and more!

Direct Admissions Initiative

Help your students find out what colleges they can attend before they even apply with Direct Admissions! Students simply create a My Texas Future account and enter academic details such as GPA, class rank, and test scores. Once submitted, students can instantly view any admissions offers available from more than 30 participating public institutions.

Finish Your Applications with My Texas Future

Guide your students through their next steps with My Texas Future! This helpful article explores the next steps once students are ready to submit their application. Details include how to send an application fee waiver, how to send letters of recommendation, and how to send transcripts.

Texas Free College Application Week

Beginning October 13 through October 19, 2025, Texas residents can apply to public colleges and universities for free through the ApplyTexas applicant portal. No codes or special forms needed – students just submit their application during the week, and fees are automatically waived. To support you in sharing this opportunity, a Frequently Asked Questions document is now available. This resource can help you guide both students and families through the process and ensure they have the information they need to take advantage of this initiative. For more details, visit the official landing page or review the Governor’s press release announcing this effort to expand access to higher education across Texas.

The following information is from Kent Crowell regarding the South Plains Fair Ag Mech Show. Please share with Ag teachers.

Click the link to see how much time you have to get your projects together.

https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20250919T17&p0=544&msg=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.southplainsfair.com%2Fp%2Fcompetitions%2Fag-mechanics&font=sanserif

Thank you if you have already contacted me to let me know you are participating In our Ag Mech Show.

https://www.southplainsfair.com/p/competitions/ag-mechanics
Entry Form
AGRISCIENCE AG MECH EXHIBITS Rules PDF 2 pages
OK to fill out the entry form , Print it out and Mail in a check to speed up the registration process.

South Plains Fair, PO Box 208, Lubbock, TX 79408

Send an email or text if you have any questions to Kent Crowell.

kcrowell56@gmailcom

432 528 2891

AgTexas Farm Credit is excited to announce that applications for the 2025-2026 AgTexas Ag Youth of the Month program are now open!

This program was created to recognize and support outstanding high school seniors who are actively involved in FFA or 4-H, excel in leadership, and make an impact in their schools and communities. Each month, selected students will be spotlighted across our platforms and celebrated for their achievements in agriculture.

We would love your help in encouraging your seniors to apply. Your support can make all the difference in inspiring students to take part in this recognition.

Key Details

Deadline: Friday, October 24, 2025, at 12 PM (noon)
Eligibility: High school seniors active in FFA or 4-H from one of the counties AgTexas serves.
Apply here: https://agtexas.net/ayotm

The application site is mobile-friendly, so students can complete it right from their phones. On the program page, they’ll also find photos of past winners—you may even recognize some familiar faces!

Recognition Banquet

Each AYOTM honoree will be invited to an annual banquet where we will recognize students and celebrate their achievements. At the banquet, honored students will be encouraged to invite their parents and their FFA or 4-H advisor. AgTexas staff involved in the program will also attend their respective area banquet to celebrate alongside them. In addition to recognition, possible scholarship opportunities will also be available for honorees.

Thank you for helping us spotlight the next generation of ag leaders! Please reach out if you have any questions—we look forward to celebrating your students this year.