Educator Investigations in Texas
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides public information about educator investigations to help Texans understand how many reports of educator misconduct are received and how those reports are resolved. This includes both the Educator Misconduct Reporting Dashboard and public reports of final disciplinary actions issued by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). These transparency efforts support student safety and strengthen accountability across Texas schools.
Educator Misconduct Reporting Dashboard
The Educator Misconduct Reporting Dashboard, required by Senate Bill 571 (89th Texas Legislature), provides an interactive view of educator misconduct reports at key stages of the investigation and sanction process. It includes data on reports submitted to TEA, cases under review, SBEC disciplinary actions, and the number of individuals placed on the Do Not Hire Registry.
The dashboard is organized into four main tabs:
- All Misconduct Reports: Displays the volume of all reports of educator misconduct received by TEA, by month and referral type, as well as all criminal history alerts from DPS and the FBI, by month.
- Educator Investigations: Displays the volume of active educator misconduct investigations, organized by allegation type and investigation stage.
- SBEC Sanctions: Displays the volume of SBEC sanction cases, organized by month and sanction type.
- Do Not Hire Registry: Displays the number of individuals placed on the registry by month and fiscal year, including temporary placements beginning when statutorily permitted in September 2025.
Because cases may move through multiple stages over time, these views together provide a picture of how educator misconduct cases progress. The dashboard and accompanying reports are updated regularly.
Hover over or click the visuals for additional details. For a larger view of the dashboard, please click here.
TEA publishes downloadable PDF reports listing final disciplinary actions taken by SBEC. These reports include only final actions—defined in Texas Government Code §§2001.144–2001.146—and do not include allegations or pending investigations.
Beginning with the FY 2015–2016 report, disciplinary action reports are updated quarterly. A glossary of terms is available to explain report terminology.
SBEC Educator Discipline Overview
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) regulates educator certification in Texas and is responsible for taking disciplinary action when certified educators violate professional standards, ethical requirements, or laws related to their school duties.
SBEC does not conduct investigations; it takes action based on investigations and referrals completed under applicable law.
Purpose of SBEC Discipline
- Protect students and school communities
- Maintain the integrity of the education profession
- Hold certified individuals accountable for misconduct
- Preserve public trust in Texas educator credentials
Conduct That May Lead to SBEC Discipline
- Being unworthy to instruct or supervise students
- Failing to report child abuse or known criminal history as required by law
- Hindering or interfering with a legally required report
- Being convicted of a crime directly related to the education profession
- Violating laws related to school or educational activities
- Violating the Educators' Code of Ethics
- Violating the security or integrity of a state assessment
- Failing to cooperate with an SBEC investigation
- Abandoning an employment contract
Crimes Directly Related to the Education Profession
- Crimes involving moral turpitude
- Sexual or physical abuse of a student or minor
- Romantic or sexual conduct with a student or minor
- Felony-level drug offenses
- Crimes involving school property or public funds
- Fraud related to educator certification
- Crimes committed on school property or at school-related events
- Multiple intoxication or disorderly conduct offenses within a short period
Who SBEC May Discipline
- Certified educators, including teachers, administrators, counselors, librarians, educational diagnosticians, and paraprofessionals
- Certification applicants
- Educator preparation candidates
- Certification exam takers
- Individuals mistakenly issued a certificate
Types of Disciplinary Actions SBEC May Impose
- Certificate restrictions: Limits on issuing, renewing, or holding a certificate
- Reprimands: Official disciplinary notices that may appear on the certification record
- Suspensions: Temporary removal of certification privileges, including probated suspensions that allow continued employment under specific conditions
- Revocation or cancellation: Temporary or permanent removal of certification, including acceptance of a voluntary surrender
- Additional conditions or requirements: Actions an educator must complete to maintain or regain certification
Rules Governing SBEC Disciplinary Actions
SBEC disciplinary proceedings are governed by rules adopted in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 249 , which outlines procedures for disciplinary actions, contested cases, hearings, and sanctions.
Tools for Checking Certification and Employment Eligibility
To look up specific certification records or verify employment eligibility, the following tools offer direct access to official TEA and SBEC information.
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| SBEC Certificate Lookup | The SBEC Certificate Lookup allows the public to view official certification records for Texas educators, including current status and any final disciplinary actions. The lookup includes active, expired, and inactive certificates. |
| Do Not Hire Registry | The Do Not Hire Registry is a statewide tool that supports safe hiring practices in Texas public schools. It lists individuals prohibited from working in any role in a Texas public school due to serious misconduct that threatens student safety |