What professional development opportunities and instructional resources are available for teachers that serve English learners and immigrant students?

Texas Gateway

The Texas Gateway is a content management and delivery system operated by the Texas Education Agency. Through the Gateway, teachers, students, and parents find TEKS-aligned resources to use for instruction, intervention, acceleration, or additional practice. To view the Gateway, visit www.texasgateway.org.

The following online courses are available in the Gateway for teachers who serve English learners and immigrant students:

Online Courses

LEAs should contact their designated ESC for specific training opportunities related to English learners and immigrant students.

Curriculum Division

The Curriculum Division provides state level support, information and non-regulatory guidance to school administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, and students regarding general curriculum laws and rules, particularly with respect to graduation requirements, options for offering courses, and award of credit. The division is also responsible for supporting development and implementation of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in the foundation and enrichment curriculum.

• English Language Proficiency Standards ELPS
• ELPS Support Center
• Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
• Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills in Spanish
• English as a Second Language (ESOL) I and II standards
• Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines - English
• Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines - Spanish
• Graduation Requirements
• Performance Acknowledgment in Bilingualism and Biliteracy

What are the certification requirements for teachers serving English learners in Texas, and what resources are available?

For information on teacher certification requirements for bilingual education and English as a second language (ESL) programs, see the scenario chains below:

• Bilingual Education Exception Scenario Chain
• ESL Waiver Scenario Chain

Additional details on teacher certification requirements can be found in the English Learner – LPAC FAQ (English Learner Services section) and the Bilingual Education Exception and ESL Waiver FAQ.

Preparing to get ESL certified?

Register for our new, free ESL Certification Training online course at www.txeslprep.org! Check out this video and flyer for more information.

This course accompanies our TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental #154 Preparation Manual. These resources are intended to equip Texas educators who desire to increase capacity in their districts and to enhance their existing ESL programs beyond minimum state requirements.

Do You Have A Question Regarding Certification?
Please contact the division of Educator Certification regarding certification issues at 512-936-8400 or via their help desk.

What resources and training are available for the early childhood educator?

To develop a better understanding of how to design early childhood instruction to meet the needs of young English learners' (ELs) language development and examine the critical areas of academic success, click on the Texas Gateway course, Title III Early Childhood Education for English Learners.

To download the companion tool to the Title III Early Childhood Education for English Learners course, click on Effective Early Childhood Instruction for the Young EL.

For more information on resources and trainings available, visit the TEA Early Childhood Education Educator Resources web page.

What training and supplemental resources are available for school districts to use when establishing and operating a Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC)?

The Language Proficiency Assessment Committees are charged with reviewing all pertinent information on all identified English Learners upon their initial enrollment and at the end of each school year. Districts are required to have on file policy and procedures for the selection, appointment, and training of members of the LPACs.

For training and supplemental resources regarding the establishment and operation of an LPAC, click on the LPAC Framework web page.

For information about the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee and resources available, refer to the Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) for English Learners and the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) posted at the TEA Bilingual and English as a Second Language Programs web page. The FAQ is listed under Program Requirement Resources.

The specific questions related to this topic are located in

• Section I. LPAC Introduction
• Section II. Identification
• Section III. Placement
• Section IV. English Learner Services
• Section V. Review and Reclassification
• Section VI. Monitoring and Evaluation

What state and federal requirements are in place to ensure that Texas educators meet the needs of the state’s English learners?

Texas Education Code (TEC)

Texas Administrative Code (TAC)

Commissioner’s Rules (Chapter 89) - Spanish 

The Spanish version of Chapter 89 is simply for translation purposes only. The official version of the adopted rules are in English.
Esta versión del Capítulo 89 es solamente para propósitos de traducción. La versión oficial de las reglas adoptadas está en inglés.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Title III, Part A Statute (pages 153-165)