This page outlines information on the various general waivers available thorugh TEA. A link is also provided that leads to information regarding the new automated waiver system.
Course Requirement
The waiver allows districts and charter schools to request a waiver to substitute a particular course or courses for state credit within the curriculum. The commissioner of education is prohibited from exempting essential knowledge and skills under §28.002 or minimum graduation requirements under §28.025 of the Texas Education Code.
- District and charter school requesting this type of waiver should check with the Division of Curriculum at (512)463-463-9581 to determine if the course substitution is allowable.
- District and charter schools requesting approval or information on innovative courses are to submit their waiver application to the State Waiver Unit.
- This waiver request may be approved for up to three years.
Foreign Exchange Student (Less than 5)
This expedited waiver allows the district or charter schools to limit the number of foreign exchanges students to a number that is 5 or more per high school. A request to limit the number to less than five per high school must be submitted as a general waiver application.
- Districts and charter schools may request a waiver to limit the number of foreign exchange students admitted into the district under Texas Education Code §25.001(e).
- The approval of this waiver is not retroactive and takes effect on the date that the agency approves the application.
- The districts and charter schools are required to enroll foreign exchange student who arrive in the district or who have requested enrollment in the district prior to the waiver approval date.
- This waiver request may be approved for up to three years.
Alternative Education Program (AEP)
Application for Alternative Education Program
- This waiver allows the district or charter school that has alternative education campuses or students in the program to take attendance at flexible time.
- This waiver allows the district or charter school to claim Average Daily Attendance (ADA) for students who would normally miss the attendance period due to family or work-related issues.
- To meet attendance requirements, students enrolled in an Alternative Education Program must attend at least two hours to be considered for half-day ADA and four hours for a full-day ADA under Texas Administrative Code §129.21(i).
- Campuses must maintain the seven-hour school day.
- This waiver request may be approved for up to three years.
Pregnancy Related Services On-Campus (CEHI)
- Districts and charter schools may request a waiver to offer Pregnancy-Related Services Compensatory Education Home Instruction (CEHI) on a district’s campus.
- Transportation must be provided as needed.
- Students must be served at home if medically indicated.
- Student-teacher ratio must not exceed 4 students to one teacher.
- Self-paced computer based instruction may not be used to fulfill the four hours of CEHI.
Other Certification, Certification for Superintendent, Student Identification/GT, Course Requirement - Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Certification
Listed below are certification description types:
Allows an individual to serve as superintendent without the necessary certification requirements.
Allows an individual to teach without the necessary certification requirements.
Allows qualified individuals to teach outside their areas of certification in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Allows qualified individuals to teach outside their areas of certification in a subject or course for which no state assessment has been developed.
Allows qualified individuals to teach outside their areas of certification in Alternative Education.
Allows qualified individuals to teach ROTC classes outside their areas of certification.
Certification for Superintendent
Allows an individual to serve as superintendent without the necessary certification requirements.
Student Identification/GT
Allows the district to waive the requirement to identify gifted and talented students in Grades K-2.
Course Requirement - Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Districts may request a waiver of the Texas Administrative Code to offer a Career and Technical Education course for a credit length other than that specified in the code.