The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released its procedures for investigating educator misconduct through its Educator Investigations Division, which operates on behalf of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Commissioner of Education. Following the passage of Senate Bill 571 in June 2025, schools are now required to report child abuse and misconduct more rigorously, with new provisions added to the Texas Education Code under Chapter 22A. Principals must report incidents involving physical abuse, threats, inappropriate relationships, or boundary violations to their superintendents within 48 hours, and superintendents must then report to TEA and SBEC within the same timeframe. Failure to report with intent to conceal misconduct is considered a state jail felony.
TEA investigates misconduct through a structured process that begins with intake and preliminary review. Reports may come from law enforcement, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), school districts, or public complaints. If a formal investigation is warranted, TEA may issue subpoenas, assign investigators, and place an “investigative warning” on the educator’s certificate. In cases involving serious criminal charges or threats to public safety, TEA can temporarily suspend certification or add individuals to the Do Not Hire Registry. Investigations may be paused if there is an ongoing criminal case, with TEA checking the status every 60 days.
Disciplinary actions available to SBEC include certificate suspension, revocation, reprimands, and restrictions. Some offenses—such as sexual misconduct with a student, child pornography, or drug distribution on school property—require mandatory revocation and placement on the Do Not Hire Registry. These actions are also reported to national databases to inform other states of sanctions. TEA may resolve cases through informal settlements, legal referrals, or administrative hearings, with final decisions made by SBEC or the Commissioner of Education.
The Do Not Hire Registry is a key enforcement tool, listing individuals prohibited from working in Texas public schools due to serious misconduct. It was launched in Fiscal Year 2020 and includes retroactive entries from prior certificate revocations. The registry is publicly accessible and updated regularly to reflect new disciplinary actions. TEA also publishes quarterly reports detailing misconduct cases, categorized by type, to promote transparency and public awareness.
Public complaints against certified educators can be submitted through TEA’s complaint form and must include specific details and contact information. While TEA does not typically investigate complaints against uncertified educators, SB 571 expands its authority to do so in cases involving serious misconduct. The agency collaborates closely with law enforcement, DFPS, and district attorneys to ensure thorough investigations and protect student safety.
https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/educator-misconduct-investigations
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