Learning Support

The Curriculum Division at TEA oversees a number of programs that provide advanced, equitable academic work, work place training, and support services to students and educators.

Character Education

Many school districts provide character education to their students. These programs stress traits such as courage, trustworthiness, integrity, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, good citizenship and school pride.

Credit by Examination

State law allows students in primary grades to accelerate a grade level and students in secondary academic courses to earn credit for a course on the basis credit by examination.

In accordance with the Texas Education Code, §29.926, Agriculture Education Program, the Texas Education Agency has compiled a list of elementary agriculture education programs, which encourage appreciation and improve students’ understanding of agriculture. Implementation of elementary agriculture education is optional for Texas public school districts. The list is provided as a resource, and the programs included are available at no cost to schools and educators.  

Health and Safety

Texas schools work to provide a healthy and safe learning environment for children. Programs providing support in this area cover issues such child abuse prevention, human trafficking, pregnancy services and discipline.

Innovative Courses

Innovative courses and programs allow districts to offer state-approved innovative courses to enable students to master knowledge, skills, and competencies not included in the essential knowledge and skills of the required curriculum.

Mathematics Academies

In 2015 the 84th Texas Legislature (Regular Session) passed legislation directing the commissioner of education to develop and make available the Mathematics and Reading Academies professional development opportunities to Texas public school teachers. 

Math Innovation Zones (MIZ) supports school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in the expansion of blended learning instructional models in math by defining, supporting, and scaling a high-fidelity of implementation of the model. 

Personal Graduation Plan Standards

Local education agencies (LEAs) are required to develop middle/junior high school personal graduation plans and intensive programs of instruction when students do not perform satisfactorily on STAAR or when an LEA determines that a student is not likely to graduate in four years. The agency has established minimum standards for personal graduation plans and the expectations for intensive programs of instruction in light of the accelerated instruction requirements established in law.

Personal Graduation Plan Standards and Intensive Program of Instruction Guidance, (PDF, 177KB)

Texas Virtual School Network

The Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) provides Texas students and schools with equitable access to quality online courses and instructors. It is a valuable resource for interactive, collaborative, instructor-led online courses taught by state-certified and appropriately credentialed teachers trained in effective online instruction.

Spanish Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies

The Spanish language support page provides information on topics such as assessment, curriculum, and rules that are related to Spanish instruction in grades kindergarten-6 and ESL instruction in grades 7-12.