Educator credential policy

Students can use Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) to pay for instruction that isn’t delivered by a participating school.

Under state law, these options typically qualify as tutoring or teaching services. Educators providing these services need to meet background check and credential requirements.

Lead educator requirement

Under Texas law, each educator who provides tutoring or teaching services to a participating child must be qualified to teach that child in at least one of three ways:

• Is a current or retired employee of an accredited school
• Is a current or retired employee of an accredited higher education institution
• Holds a relevant credential (see below)

All students who use TEFA funds to pay for teaching or tutoring must have a lead educator who meets one of the above qualifications, assumes primary responsibility for the delivery of their educational instruction, and is continuously present in the physical or virtual learning environment while instruction of participating students is taking place.

Students may also have contact with other employees of the tutoring or teaching service. These employees must meet the same fingerprint background check requirements as the lead educator. They do not need to meet the same credential or employment requirements if their role involves supporting or assisting the lead teacher in delivering instruction, e.g., as a paraeducator. 

Acceptable educator credentials

Under Texas law, a lead educator at a tutoring or teaching service must hold “a relevant license or accreditation issued by a state, regional, or national certification or accreditation organization.” 

Relevant licenses or accreditations include:

• An active teaching license in Texas or another state.
• A valid School District Teaching Permit issued by a Texas school district.
• Certification from an educator accreditation or credentialling body, such as the American Montessori Society or the Society for Classical Learning.
• Certification in a specific method of educational practice, such as the Orton-Gillingham method.
• A bachelor’s degree or a doctorate, graduate or professional degree from an accredited higher education institution in a subject related to the instruction provided by the tutoring or teaching service.
• A professional license or certificate related to the instruction provided.

Parental responsibility

TEFA puts parents in the driver’s seat of their children’s education. Participating parents assume responsibility for ensuring anyone paid with program funds to educate their child possesses the knowledge, skills, and professional competence to help their student achieve their learning goals.

An approved provider has been determined to meet the legal requirements for offering services through the program marketplace, but their presence in the marketplace does not constitute an endorsement from the Comptroller or a Certified Educational Assistance Organization.