TITLE 19. EDUCATION

PART 2. TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY

CHAPTER 102. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

SUBCHAPTER GG. COMMISSIONER'S RULES CONCERNING POSTSECONDARY PREPARATION PROGRAMS

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) proposes an amendment to §102.1091, concerning college and career readiness school models. The proposed amendment would update Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) programmatic requirements to align with the requirements of House Bill (HB) 2 and HB 120, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, and would provide clarifications to existing statutory provisions.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: Section 102.1091 defines college and career readiness school models terms and establishes requirements related to the application, operation, notification, evaluation, and authority of Early College High School (ECHS) programs and P-TECH programs. The proposed amendment would reflect updated College and Career Readiness School Models (CCRSM) programmatic guidance related to the new needs improvement process, which was implemented in the 2025-2026 school year, and would reflect updated CCRSM blueprints that were released in June 2026. Revisions would also reflect updated P-TECH Years 5 and 6 guidance aligned with the requirements in HB 2 and HB 120, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025. Specifically, the following provisions would be addressed.

Proposed new definitions in subsection (a) would include terms related to ECHS and P-TECH programs that had not previously been defined in the commissioner of education rule and updates to programmatic requirements of the new needs improvement process. Proposed changes in subsection (a) would update the definition of a "CCRSM campus" to a "CCRSM program" to clarify that a CCRSM may operate as a school-within-a-school model and serve a subset of the campus student population.

Proposed changes in subsection (b)(1)(A) would prohibit a school district from applying for a new CCRSM planning program on any campus with a designated needs improvement program to ensure adequate district and campus capacity to support a needs improvement program before adding a new CCRSM program.

Proposed changes in subsection (b)(1)(B) would require that programs entering the CCRSM network as a result of a grant opportunity must complete the Program Application Cycle (PAC) to align programmatic planning expectations across programs that enter the network with or without grant funding.

Proposed changes in subsection (b)(2)-(4) would require that planning, provisional, designated, and designated with distinction programs complete the PAC by the deadline to ensure adequate time for processing applications and determining designation status.

Proposed updates to subsection (c) would require that needs improvement programs complete the PAC and needs improvement progress reports by the deadlines and participate in technical assistance to maintain designation status. The proposed requirements would ensure needs improvement campuses participate in additional supports intended to improve outcomes-based measures [OBM] outcomes.

The updated format of proposed new subsection (d) would restructure the subsection for improved clarity.

Proposed changes to subsection (e) would add guidance and clarification on Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) coding for CCRSM students to promote accurate reporting of data used to determine designation status, as established by CCRSM program blueprints.

Proposed changes to subsection (f) would update options available to approved CCRSM programs.

Proposed new subsection (g) would add guidance and requirements for P-TECH Years 5 and 6 programs related to eligibility criteria, PEIMS coding, dual credit benefits, and outcomes earned by Years 5 and 6 students, to align with new legislative requirements established by HB 2 and HB 120, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.

Changes to proposed subsection (h) would provide additional clarity on the OBM data sources and reports used to evaluate CCRSM programs to align with designation requirements as established by CCRSM program blueprints.

Proposed new subsection (i) would establish a process and requirements for districts that discontinue CCRSM program operations including student transition support, coding requirements, and a mandatory wait period to rejoin the network to align with the new needs improvement process and updated CCRSM program blueprints.

The proposed update to subsection (j) would provide notice that noncompliance with the PAC deadline could result in the revocation of designation status in alignment with CCRSM program blueprints and requirements.

FISCAL IMPACT: Monica Martinez, associate commissioner for standards and programs, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposal is in effect, there are no additional costs to state or local government, including school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, required to comply with the proposal.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IMPACT: The proposal has no effect on local economy; therefore, no local employment impact statement is required under Texas Government Code, §2001.022.

SMALL BUSINESS, MICROBUSINESS, AND RURAL COMMUNITY IMPACT: The proposal has no direct adverse economic impact for small businesses, microbusinesses, or rural communities; therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis, specified in Texas Government Code, §2006.002, is required.

COST INCREASE TO REGULATED PERSONS: The proposal does not impose a cost on regulated persons, another state agency, a special district, or a local government and, therefore, is not subject to Texas Government Code, §2001.0045.

TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT: The proposal does not impose a burden on private real property and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, §2007.043.

GOVERNMENT GROWTH IMPACT: TEA staff prepared a Government Growth Impact Statement assessment for this proposed rulemaking. During the first five years the proposed rulemaking would be in effect, it would expand an existing regulation by updating requirements related to programs in needs improvement status, clarifying P-TECH Years 5 and 6 guidance and establishing a process and requirements for districts that discontinue CCRSM program operations, and further clarifying the existing rule.

The proposed rulemaking would not create or eliminate a government program; would not require the creation of new employee positions or elimination of existing employee positions; would not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; would not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; would not create a new regulation; would not limit or repeal an existing regulation; would not increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to its applicability; and would not positively or adversely affect the state's economy.

PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: Ms. Martinez has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposal is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the proposal would be providing school districts and charter schools operating CCRSM programs with updated guidance and additional clarity on program requirements and expectations. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposal.

DATA AND REPORTING IMPACT: The proposal includes a new requirement for a P-TECH Years 5-6 program data collection to align with new P-TECH Years 5-6 benefits and requirements in included in HB 2 and HB 120, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, and would have an impact on data and reporting. The proposed new data collection is outlined in proposed new subsection (g)(1) and would require that P-TECHs apply for participation in the P-TECH Years 5-6 program.

TEA currently asks P-TECH programs if they are interested in implementing a Years 5-6 program in the PAC but does not collect any other information about P-TECH Years 5-6 programming. The proposed new data collection, the P-TECH Years 5-6 Program Application, is intended to collect programmatic information about current P-TECH Years 5-6 programs, including how P-TECH Years 5-6 programs are implementing the program with fidelity to the P-TECH blueprint for program monitoring purposes. The proposed data collection would only impact P-TECH programs that opt to implement a Years 5-6 program.

PRINCIPAL AND CLASSROOM TEACHER PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS: TEA has determined that the proposal would not require a written report or other paperwork to be completed by a principal or classroom teacher.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: TEA requests public comments on the proposal, including, per Texas Government Code, §2001.024(a)(8), information related to the cost, benefit, or effect of the proposed rule and any applicable data, research, or analysis, from any person required to comply with the proposed rule or any other interested person. The public comment period on the proposal begins September 4, 2026, and ends October 5, 2026. A request for a public hearing on the proposal submitted under the Administrative Procedure Act must be received by the commissioner of education not more than 14 calendar days after notice of the proposal has been published in the Texas Register on September 4, 2026. A form for submitting public comments is available on the TEA website at https://tea.texas.gov/laws-and-rules/commissioner-rules-tac/proposed-commissioner-education-rules.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY. The amendment is proposed under TEC, §29.553, which requires the commissioner of education to establish and administer the P-TECH program; TEC, §29.557, which authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules as necessary to administer the P-TECH program; and TEC, §29.908, as amended by SB 1887, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, establishes the Early College High School program. TEC, §29.908(g), permits the commissioner to adopt rules as necessary to administer the program.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE. The amendment implements TEC, §§29.553; 29.557; and 29.908, as amended by SB 1887, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.

§102.1091. College and Career Readiness School Models.

(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Benchmarks--The standards for program implementation that are included in the blueprints.

(2) Blueprint--The document that outlines the College and Career Readiness School Models (CCRSM) requirements, including benchmarks, design elements, artifacts, and outcomes-based measures (OBM).

(3) Business or industry partner--Employers who enter into a formal agreement with a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) to support work-based learning (WBL).

(5) [(4)] Design elements--The processes, structures, or services within each benchmark that a CCRSM program [campus] must fulfill.

(6) [(5)] Designated program [campus]--A CCRSM program [campus] with six or more years of implementation that has met OBMs [outcomes-based measures (OBMs)] necessary for designation.

(7) [(6)] Designated with Distinction program [campus]--A CCRSM program [campus] with seven or more years of implementation that has met Designated with Distinction OBMs.

(9) [(7)] Early College High School (ECHS)--A program [school] established under Texas Education Code (TEC), §29.908, that enables a student in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 who is at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by TEC, §29.081, or who wishes to accelerate completion of high school to combine high school courses and college-level courses. An ECHS program must provide for a course of study that, on or before the fifth anniversary of a student's first day of high school, enables a participating student to receive both a high school diploma and either an applied or academic associate degree, with a completed field of study curriculum, as defined by TEC, §61.823, that is transferable toward a baccalaureate degree at one or more general academic teaching institutions, as defined by TEC, §61.003.

(11) [(8)] Institution of higher education (IHE)--An institution of higher education has the meaning assigned by TEC, §61.003.

(12) [(9)] Needs improvement program [campus]--A CCRSM program [campus] with six or more years of implementation that has not met OBMs necessary for designation.

(13) [(10)] Optional Flexible School Day Program (OFSDP)--A program approved by the commissioner of education to provide flexible hours and days of attendance for eligible students in Grades 9-12, as defined in §129.1027 of this title (relating to Optional Flexible School Day Program).

(14) [(11)] Outcomes-based measures--The data indicators related to access, achievement, and attainment that a CCRSM program [campus] is required to meet to achieve a status of Designated or Designated with Distinction.

(15) [(12)] Pathways in Technology Early College High School--A program [school] established under TEC, §29.553, that enables a student in Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 who is at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by TEC, §29.081, or who wishes to accelerate completion of high school to combine high school and postsecondary courses. A P-TECH program must be open enrollment and provide for a course of study that, on or before the sixth anniversary of a student's first day of high school, enables a participating student to receive both a high school diploma and an associate degree, a two-year postsecondary certificate, or an industry certification, and must include a work-based education program.

(16) [(13)] Planning program [campus]--A CCRSM [campus] with zero years of implementation.

(19) [(14)] Provisional program [campus]--A CCRSM [campus] with one to five years of implementation.

(21) [(15)] School district--For the purposes of this section, the definition of school district includes an open- enrollment charter school.

(22) [(16)] Work-based education program--Practical, hands-on activities or experiences through which a learner interacts with industry professionals in a workplace that may be an in-person, virtual, or simulated setting. Learners prepare for employment or advancement along a career pathway by completing purposeful tasks that develop academic, technical, and employability skills. A work-based education program is also known as work-based learning.

(b) Conditions for approval of CCRSM status.

(1) Conditions for approval of a Planning program [campus].

(A) Applicant eligibility. Any school district may submit a separate application on behalf of each campus it requests to be considered as a Planning program [campus]. A school district may not apply for a new CCRSM program on any campus with a Designated--Needs Improvement program.

(B) Application process. A school district must submit each application in accordance with the program application cycle (PAC) requirements [procedures determined by the commissioner]. Programs that enter the CCRSM network through an agency grant opportunity are required to complete the PAC after district acceptance of grant award.

(C) Planning program [campus] timeline. A planning program [campus] shall be eligible to apply for Provisional program [campus] status after the mandatory planning year.

(2) Conditions for approval of a Provisional program [campus].

(A) Applicant eligibility. Any Planning program [campus] or approved provisional program [campus] may submit an application to be considered as a Provisional program [campus].

(B) Application process. Any Planning program [campus] or approved Provisional program [campus] must submit an [each] application in accordance with the PAC requirements [procedures determined by the commissioner]. Failure to complete the PAC by the deadline may lead to a revocation of designation status for the following school year.

(C) Provisional program [campus] timeline. A Provisional program [campus] shall be eligible to apply to renew its status as a Provisional program [campus] yearly for up to five years.

(3) Conditions for approval of a Designated program [campus].

(A) Applicant eligibility. A Provisional program [campus] entering its fifth year of operation may submit an application on behalf of the program [campus] it requests to be considered as a Designated program [campus].

(B) Application process. A prospective Designated program [campus] must submit an [each] application in accordance with the PAC requirements [procedures determined by the commissioner]. Failure to complete the PAC by the deadline may lead to revocation of designation status for the following school year. Programs [Campuses] must meet access, achievement, and attainment OBM criteria and implement all design elements in order to receive CCRSM Designated status.

(C) Designated program [campus] timeline. A Designated program [campus] shall be eligible to apply to renew its status as a Designated program [campus] yearly.

(4) Conditions for approval of a Designated with Distinction program [campus].

(A) Applicant eligibility. A Designated program [campus] may qualify for Designated with Distinction status if the program meets [in one or more of the following] OBM distinction criteria in access, achievement, and attainment areas beginning in its seventh year of operation.[:]

(B) Application process. A prospective Designated with Distinction program [campus] must submit an [each] application in accordance with the PAC requirements [procedures determined by the commissioner]. Failure to complete the PAC by the deadline may lead to a revocation in designation status for the following school year. The [campus application in the] PAC application will serve as the Designated with Distinction application. Programs [Campuses] must meet access, achievement, and attainment designated with distinction OBM criteria and implement all design elements in order to receive CCRSM Designated with Distinction status.

(C) Designated with Distinction program [campus] timeline. A Designated with Distinction program [campus] shall qualify to renew its status as a Designated with Distinction program [campus] yearly.

(c) Needs Improvement and revocation of CCRSM status.

(1) Determination of CCRSM Needs Improvement status. If the conditions of approval for CCRSM Designated status are not met, including failure to meet the required OBM designated criteria, the CCRSM program [campus] will be classified as a CCRSM Needs Improvement program [campus].

(2) Needs Improvement program [campus] timeline. A Needs Improvement program [campus] is required to remain in the Needs Improvement status for a minimum period of two school years and a maximum period of three school years following program [campus] notification of the Needs Improvement status. [During the three years of Needs Improvement status, the campus is required to complete the PAC for Needs Improvement progress reports.]

(3) Needs Improvement progress monitoring. During the period [three years] of Needs Improvement status, the program [campus] will receive targeted technical assistance at no cost to the CCRSM to improve OBMs.

(5) [(4)] Fulfillment of CCRSM Needs Improvement requirements and designation criteria. Following completion of the two- or three-year Needs Improvement period and upon successfully meeting the OBM designation criteria, the CCRSM will move out of the Needs Improvement status and into the Designated or Designated with Distinction status.

(6) [(5)] Revocation of CCRSM status. Following completion of the period [mandatory three years] of Needs Improvement status, if a CCRSM does not successfully meet the OBM designation criteria, the authorization of the program [campus] as a CCRSM will be revoked and the program [campus] will be removed from the CCRSM network.

(d) Notification timeline. [TEA will notify each applicant of its selection or non-selection as a CCRSM Planning, Provisional, Designated, Designated with Distinction, or Needs Improvement campus. The designation notification will be sent no later than the summer following the submission of the campus application in the PAC. Campuses selected for Planning, Provisional, Designated, and Designated with Distinction status will be publicly identified on TEA's website and will be identified as such in designation status notification to the district and to the IHE partner listed in the CCRSM PAC. Campuses in Needs Improvement status will not be publicly identified but will be identified as Needs Improvement in the designation status notification sent to the district and to the IHE partner listed in the CCRSM PAC.]

(e) Conditions of CCRSM program operation.

(1) As established under TEC, §29.908, an ECHS must:

(A) enable a student in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 who is at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by TEC, §29.081, or who wishes to accelerate completion of high school to provide for a course of study that enables a participating student to combine high school courses and college-level courses;

(B) allow ECHS [participating] students to complete high school and enroll in a program at an IHE that will enable a student to, on or before the fifth anniversary of a student's first day of high school, receive a high school diploma and either an applied or academic associate degree, with a completed field of study curriculum, as defined by TEC, §61.823, that is transferable toward a baccalaureate degree at one or more general academic teaching institutions, as defined by TEC, §61.003;

(C) include articulation agreements with colleges, universities, and technical schools in Texas to provide a participating student access to postsecondary educational and training opportunities at a college, university, or technical school; and

(D) provide a participating student flexibility in class scheduling and academic mentoring.

(2) As established under TEC, §29.553, a P-TECH must:

(A) be open enrollment and enable a student in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 who is at risk of dropping out of school, as defined by TEC, §29.081, or who wishes to accelerate completion of high school to combine high school courses and postsecondary courses;

(B) provide for a course of study that, on or before the sixth anniversary of a student's first day of high school, enables a participating student to receive both a high school diploma and an associate degree, a two-year postsecondary certificate, or an industry certification and complete work-based training;

(C) include articulation agreements with colleges, universities, and technical schools in Texas to provide a participating student access to postsecondary educational and training opportunities at a college, university, or technical school;

(D) include a memorandum of understanding with regional business or industry partners to provide a participating student access to work-based training;

(E) include in each memorandum of understanding with a regional business or industry partner an agreement that the regional business or industry partner will give to a student who receives work-based training from the partner under the P-TECH program first priority in interviewing for any jobs for which the student is qualified that are available on the students' completion of the program; and

(F) provide a participating student flexibility in class scheduling and academic mentoring.

(3) The CCRSM program must comply with all the requirements outlined in the CCRSM blueprints. [If a CCRSM chooses to discontinue CCRSM operations, the CCRSM must ensure previously enrolled CCRSM students will have the opportunity to complete their course of study. The CCRSM must notify TEA of its decision to discontinue operations and submit an official letter from the district superintendent with the district decision.]

(4) A school district operating a CCRSM program must comply with all assurances included in the [program application submitted through the] PAC. Failure to complete the PAC by the deadline may lead to a revocation in designation status. If the CCRSM changes the location of the CCRSM program[, the CCRSM model,] or the IHE partner after [outside of] the PAC deadline, the CCRSM must notify TEA of the change.

(5) CCRSM approval is valid for a maximum of one school year.

(6) The CCRSM program must be provided at no cost to CCRSM students. A student enrolled in a CCRSM program may not be required to pay for tuition, fees, or required textbooks for any coursework. The school district in which the student is enrolled shall pay for tuition, fees, and required textbooks, to the extent those charges are not waived by the IHE.

(f) Options [Programs] available to an approved CCRSM.

(1) Approval as a CCRSM program will allow a program [campus] to access services [programs] available to CCRSM programs, such as technical assistance.

(2) An approved CCRSM program [campus] may access the OFSDP defined in §129.1027 of this title. An approved CCRSM program [campus] is eligible for OFSDP but must apply separately in accordance with TEC, §29.0822, and procedures established by the commissioner.

(3) Approval as a P-TECH program will allow the P-TECH program [a campus] to participate [access programs available to the P-TECH, including participation] in a Year 5 and Year 6 P-TECH program.

(h) [(g)] Evaluation of a CCRSM program. TEA will evaluate a [Evaluation of the] CCRSM program based on [will occur through] the PAC, [and using] self-reported data provided by the program, data provided by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and data provided by assessment vendors [campus] to generate OBM data. OBM data provided to districts through the TEA Login (TEAL) portal is final and cannot be amended. Progress monitoring will also occur at the program [campus] level through [campus] coaching provided through state-appointed technical assistance.

(j) [(h)] Revocation of authority.

(1) The commissioner may deny renewal or revoke the authorization of a CCRSM program based on the following factors:

(A) noncompliance with the PAC deadline, PAC application assurances, and/or the provisions of this section;

(B) lack of program success as evidenced by progress reports and program OBM data;

(C) failure to meet performance standards specified in the application and/or CCRSM blueprints; or

(D) failure to provide accurate, timely, and complete information as required by TEA to evaluate the effectiveness of the CCRSM program.

(2) A decision by the commissioner to deny renewal as or revoke authorization of a CCRSM is final and may not be appealed.

(3) The commissioner may impose sanctions on a school district as authorized by TEC, Chapters 39 and 39A, for failure to comply with the requirements of this section.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 24, 2026.

TRD-202603702

Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez

Director, Rulemaking

Texas Education Agency

Earliest possible date of adoption: October 4, 2026

For further information, please call: (512) 475-1497