CTE Updates
2026-27 CTE Course Catalog is Posted
The CTE Course Catalog has been updated for the 2026-27 school year. The catalog serves as a comprehensive resource for CTE programs of study and course offerings, with complete course descriptions organized in alphabetical order at the end of the document. Updates to CTE courses are documented in the catalog’s Change Log, providing a clear record of recent additions, modifications, and other course-related updates.
Previously Shared
Reporting of Industry-Based Certifications
As a reminder, school systems report all industry-based certifications (IBCs) that were passed or earned between June 1 and August 31 through the PEIMS Extended Year Submission.
School systems may request reimbursement for the cost of up to two unique passed or earned IBC examinations per eligible student from the 2025-2030 IBC List for Public School Accountability if obtained through an approved certifying entity. In addition to the IBC examination cost, school systems may request reimbursement for fingerprinting and criminal history reviews when required by the certifying entity. Application fees, curriculum costs, study materials, training costs, and other ancillary expenses are not eligible for reimbursement.
Accurate PEIMS reporting is essential for both accountability and reimbursement eligibility. Additional guidance is available in the IBC FAQ and IBC Reimbursement FAQ.
Please note that the Educational Aide I and Community Health Worker IBCs are earned through the completion of TEA-approved coursework and submission of required documentation to the certifying entity, rather than through a certification examination administered by the certifying entity. Therefore, school systems shall not submit exam reimbursement requests for these IBCs.
For audit purposes, school systems should maintain verifiable documentation from certifying entities demonstrating that students passed or earned the reported IBCs, as well as invoices and other supporting documentation related to reimbursement requests, for a minimum of five years.
Communication from Across the Agency
The State Board for Educator Certification Updated Requirements for Educational Aide I
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) recently updated the rules for the Educational Aide I certificate under 19 TAC Chapter 230, Subchapter E, amended to be effective August 2, 2026.
An applicant for an Educational Aide I certificate shall meet the requirements in either paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section or paragraphs (3) and (4) of this section as follows:
(1) hold a high school diploma, the equivalent of a high school diploma, or higher; and
(2) have experience working with students or parents as approved by the employing superintendent.
Experience may be work in church-related schools, day camps, youth groups, private schools, licensed daycare centers, or similar experience; or
(3) be a high school student; and
(4) be a program of study completer (three or more courses for four or more credits from the list of courses in subparagraphs (A)-(H) of this paragraph, with at least one course being a Level 3 or Level 4 course) with credits verified by the district in which the credits were earned. The courses must include:
(A) Principles of Education and Training;
(B) Human Growth and Development;
(C) Child Development;
(D) Child Guidance;
(E) Communication and Technology in Education;
(F) Instructional Practices;
(G) Practicum in Education and Training; or
(H) Practicum in Early Learning.
Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory Introduces “Try the Trade” Career Exploration
The Texas Mobile STEM Laboratories (TXMSL), a statewide Texas Education Agency (TEA) initiative, brings hands-on engineering design challenges directly to K–8 public school systems through custom-outfitted mobile STEM laboratories. This year, the TXMSL program is excited to launch Try the Trade, a new career exploration component integrated into TXMSL activities for grades K–8. Designed to strengthen awareness of career pathways from cradle to career, this initiative helps students explore high-demand careers through career spotlights, role-playing experiences, and connections with industry professionals. Elementary and middle school students will gain valuable insights showcasing the collaboration between STEM professionals and skilled trades professionals who solve everyday challenges and drive innovation across Texas industries. TXMSL visits may include local STEM Nights that provide opportunities for younger students to learn about future career pathways and showcase career and technical education (CTE) programs available in their communities. The final TXMSL 2026–2027 schedule is available on the TXMSL webpage.
College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Tracker Part II
The College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Tracker Part II and explanatory materials were released on July 23, 2026, and are available in the TEA Login (TEAL) Accountability application. The tool provides districts with a means to track CCMR indicator completion throughout high school for students reported as enrolled in grades 9–12 on the TSDS PEIMS Fall 2025 Snapshot. Students who will be included in 2026 accountability ratings, 2025 annual graduates and non-graduates, will not be included in the CCMR Tracker, Part II. Data updates for 2025 graduates and non-graduates for SAT, ACT, AP, IB, and Level I/II Certificates were already communicated through the CCMR Verifier Listing on June 4, 2026.
The Final CCMR Listing for 2025 annual graduates and non-graduates will be available on July 31, 2026, and will include data updated through the CCMR Verifier and eligible PEIMS Working Submissions. The CCMR Tracker contains lagging data. While the CCMR Tracker contains students who were in grades 9–12 on the 2025–26 PEIMS snapshot, the 2026 Tracker does not contain results from the 2025–26 school year, as those data have yet to be reported to TEA. Additionally, data corrected through Working Submissions in the 2025-26 school year are not reflected in the CCMR Tracker, Part II.
Stakeholders are encouraged to carefully review the Interpreting CCMR Tracker Methodology and Sources PART II resource, which is posted on the 2026 Accountability Rating System webpage, as data sources may vary slightly for students currently in grades 9-12, 2026 annual graduates, and those reported in grade 12 in 2025-26 who did not graduate. For additional information on CCMR indicators, please see Chapter 2 of the 2026 Accountability Rating System Manual. You may also refer to the to the administrator addressed correspondence on College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Tracker Part II.
National Student Recognition Program Nominations
TEA invites high school principals to nominate outstanding students for two prestigious national recognition programs:
U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
Principals may nominate graduating seniors (January-August 2027) in up to three categories:
- One general program nominee
- One CTE nominee
- One arts nominee (new for 2026-2027)
The program recognizes excellence in academic achievement, leadership, service, the arts, and CTE. Texas nominees may be selected for national recognition as U.S. Presidential Scholars.
Application Deadline: October 2, 2026
United States Senate Youth Program
Principals may nominate one outstanding junior or senior student. Texas will select two delegates and two alternates to attend Washington Week in Washington, D.C. (March 6-13, 2027).
Delegates engage with national leaders, explore public service careers, and receive a $12,500 college scholarship. All travel, lodging, and meal expenses are covered by The Hearst Foundations.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
Questions? Submit a ticket through the Student Recognition Programs Help Desk. For more information, visit TEA's U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and United States Senate Youth Program webpages.
Engagement Opportunities
Career and Military Readiness in College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Deep Dive Webinar Series
The following CCMR Deep Dive webinars have been added to the College, Career, and Military Preparation website:
- Planning for Career and Military Readiness;
- Programs of Study and Industry-Based Certifications: Quality, Alignment, and CCMR (coming soon);
- Military Readiness for CCMR: JROTC Program Requirements, Documentation, and Accountability; and
- Using Perkins Reports to Support CCMR Continuous Improvement
This webinar series provides overviews of career and military readiness indicators and outlines early planning actions school systems can take, such as course sequencing, student advising, partner coordination, and documentation practices, to strengthen future CCMR outcomes.
These sessions are intentionally focused on implementation considerations, not just policy awareness. They are designed to help school systems examine their current systems, identify gaps in access or alignment, and plan for incremental improvements across multiple years. The webinars are most effective when viewed as a team. We strongly encourage school systems to convene a team to engage in this learning together to support local decision-making. Participants should walk away with clear next steps for the school system’s or campus’s CCMR strategy.
Monthly Office Hours
Do you have CTE questions? Click on this link to submit your questions about CTE programming or other questions related to CTE. Then, join us for the upcoming CTE office hours on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 10:00–11:00 a.m. CDT, where we will provide answers. You may join by clicking on this link.
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