The Texas Education Agency is the state agency responsible for overseeing primary and secondary public education in Texas. It provides leadership, guidance, and support to school systems while administering important programs involving assessments, accountability, funding, curriculum, instructional materials, educator certification, and compliance. TEA works with school districts, charter schools, educators, families, and other education stakeholders across the state. Understanding its responsibilities can help parents, students, teachers, administrators, and education professionals better understand how public education is organized and monitored in Texas. The agency is led by the Commissioner of Education and works alongside the State Board of Education and the State Board for Educator Certification.
What Is the Texas Education Agency?
The Texas Education Agency, commonly called TEA, is the state-level agency that oversees public education for primary and secondary schools in Texas. Its mission is focused on improving outcomes for public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
The agency performs a wide range of administrative and educational functions. These responsibilities include statewide assessment administration, accountability systems, public education data collection, funding administration, instructional materials, curriculum support, educator certification functions, and monitoring compliance with certain state and federal requirements.
Because Texas has a large and diverse public school system, TEA serves as an important connection between state education requirements and local school systems.
Leadership and Organization
TEA is headed by the Commissioner of Education. The commissioner is supported by deputy commissioners, associate commissioners, division directors, and other agency staff.
The agency works with the State Board of Education and the State Board for Educator Certification. Together, these organizations have responsibilities related to public education policy, standards, certification, and oversight.
The commissioner also provides statewide leadership and coordinates with other government entities. The current TEA commissioner is Mike Morath, who has served in the position since 2016.
Responsibilities of the Agency
TEA has several major responsibilities that affect public schools and students throughout Texas. The agency administers state and federal funding programs, manages statewide assessments, operates accountability systems, supports curriculum development, and oversees the distribution of instructional materials.
It also maintains systems for collecting information about public schools and performs administrative functions associated with educator certification.
Another responsibility involves monitoring compliance with selected state and federal guidelines. These functions allow the state to track education requirements and provide support or intervention where applicable.
Texas School Accountability
School accountability is an important part of the agency’s work. TEA evaluates public schools and districts under state accountability requirements and provides information about performance and related standards.
The accountability system provides information that can be used to examine student performance and school progress. The 2026 accountability system includes A through F ratings and incorporates areas such as student achievement, school progress, and closing gaps. TEA also provides information about appeals, reporting requirements, and schools identified for improvement.
Accountability information can help families and education professionals understand how schools are evaluated. However, individual ratings should be considered alongside other information about a school’s programs, student population, resources, and educational environment.
Student Assessment Programs
TEA administers the Texas Assessment Program, which includes several statewide assessments. These include STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, TELPAS, and TELPAS Alternate.
STAAR provides summative academic assessments for applicable students in grades 3 through 12. STAAR Alternate 2 is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who meet the applicable participation requirements.
TELPAS and TELPAS Alternate are used to assess English language proficiency for eligible emergent bilingual students. The assessment system is designed to measure defined knowledge and skills as well as English language development, depending on the assessment.
Understanding STAAR
STAAR is one of the most recognizable Texas education programs. It provides statewide academic assessments that help measure student learning in tested subjects and grade levels.
Assessment results can be used to examine performance over time. TEA provides statewide reports, analysis resources, data files, and other information to help educators and stakeholders interpret results.
For students receiving special education services or services under Section 504, assessment requirements can include STAAR with or without allowable accommodations, depending on applicable rules and individual circumstances.
Curriculum and Instruction
TEA supports statewide curriculum standards and instructional programs. The agency also assists the State Board of Education with curriculum development and instructional materials adoption and distribution.
Curriculum guidance provides a framework for schools while allowing local education systems to manage many aspects of instruction.
Teachers and administrators can use state resources to understand academic expectations, instructional materials, assessment requirements, and other education programs.
Support for Special Student Populations
Texas education systems serve students with a wide variety of educational needs. TEA provides resources and programs involving special education, emergent bilingual students, dyslexia, gifted and talented students, migrant students, foster students, and students considered at risk.
Assessment requirements may differ according to student circumstances. For example, students receiving special education services may have assessment and accommodation decisions made through their admission, review, and dismissal committees.
Emergent bilingual students may also participate in TELPAS or TELPAS Alternate depending on applicable participation requirements.
Funding and Financial Responsibilities
Public education requires significant financial resources, and TEA administers the distribution of state and federal funding to public schools. The agency’s financial responsibilities are connected with the broader public education system and applicable state and federal requirements.
Funding can affect school operations, staffing, instructional materials, student programs, and other educational services.
Because funding systems can be complex, school administrators and district officials often need to understand applicable requirements, reporting procedures, and funding formulas.
Educator Certification
TEA also performs administrative functions and services related to the State Board for Educator Certification. This connects the agency with the broader system for educator preparation and certification in Texas.
Teacher certification is an important part of maintaining qualified education professionals in public schools. Prospective educators may need to understand certification pathways, examinations, preparation programs, renewal requirements, and applicable state rules.
Educators should consult current state requirements because certification policies and procedures can change.
Data and Education Reporting
Data collection is another important function of TEA. The agency administers systems that collect information about public schools and students and uses reporting systems to support accountability and education administration.
Assessment results, accountability information, and other educational data can help districts and state officials identify patterns and areas that may require attention.
For families, publicly available education information can also provide insight into school performance and programs.
School Improvement and Intervention
TEA provides resources related to school improvement, monitoring, and interventions. Accountability information can be used to identify campuses or districts that require additional attention under applicable state and federal frameworks.
The agency’s current accountability resources include information about schools identified for improvement and related federal requirements.
School improvement can involve analyzing student performance, identifying challenges, developing improvement strategies, monitoring progress, and providing appropriate support.
How Parents Can Use TEA Resources
Parents can use state education resources to better understand assessment programs, school accountability information, curriculum requirements, and student support programs.
Families may want to review assessment information before discussing academic progress with teachers or school administrators. Understanding the difference between statewide assessment results and other measures of student learning can provide useful context.
Parents of students receiving special education or language services can also review applicable assessment and accommodation information so they can participate more effectively in discussions with schools.
Importance for Teachers and Administrators
Teachers and administrators interact with TEA requirements in many areas of their professional responsibilities. These can include assessments, curriculum, reporting, accountability, educator certification, special populations, and school improvement.
Administrators may need to monitor deadlines, reporting requirements, assessment procedures, and accountability information. Teachers may use state curriculum and assessment resources to support classroom instruction.
Staying informed about current requirements is important because education rules, assessment procedures, and accountability systems can change over time.
Key Points to Remember
The Texas Education Agency oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas.
TEA provides leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
The agency administers statewide assessment programs including STAAR and TELPAS.
TEA manages and reports information related to school and district accountability.
The agency supports curriculum standards and instructional materials.
TEA administers state and federal education funding responsibilities.
The agency supports programs involving special education and other student populations.
It performs administrative functions related to educator certification.
TEA maintains public education data and reporting systems.
The agency provides resources for school improvement and educational support.
Tips for Understanding Texas Education Information
Parents and educators should always check the most current TEA information when researching assessments, accountability ratings, certification requirements, or other state education policies.
It is also useful to distinguish between state requirements and local district policies. Texas provides statewide frameworks, but individual districts and schools can have additional procedures.
When reviewing assessment results, look at the assessment type, grade level, subject, and reporting period. A single test result should not automatically be treated as a complete description of a student’s academic progress.
Educators should maintain awareness of annual changes to assessment administration and accountability requirements. TEA regularly publishes updated resources, manuals, timelines, and guidance.
Finally, families should communicate directly with their school or district when they need information about individual student records, accommodations, schedules, or school-specific procedures.
Final Thoughts
The Texas Education Agency plays a central administrative and support role in Texas public education. Its responsibilities include statewide assessments, school accountability, curriculum support, instructional materials, education funding, data systems, educator certification functions, and programs serving different student populations. Current TEA resources also provide detailed information about assessment programs and the 2026 accountability system. For parents, teachers, administrators, and students, understanding the agency’s responsibilities can make it easier to navigate Texas public education requirements and resources. Because education policies and procedures can change, using current state guidance and maintaining communication with local schools and districts is important for obtaining accurate information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Texas Education Agency?
The Texas Education Agency is the state agency responsible for overseeing primary and secondary public education in Texas. It provides leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
What does the Texas Education Agency do?
TEA administers statewide assessments, supports accountability systems, administers certain state and federal education funding, supports curriculum and instructional materials, collects public education data, and performs other education-related responsibilities.
What tests does the Texas Education Agency administer?
The Texas Assessment Program includes STAAR, STAAR Alternate 2, TELPAS, and TELPAS Alternate. These assessments address academic achievement and English language proficiency according to the applicable program.
Who leads the Texas Education Agency?
The agency is headed by the Commissioner of Education. As of 2026, Mike Morath is the Texas Education Commissioner and has served in that role since 2016.
How can parents learn about Texas school performance?
Parents can review TEA resources covering student assessments, school and district accountability, performance reporting, and other public education information. They can also contact their local school or district for information specific to their child.
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