The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced the launch of an “Educator Misconduct Dashboard”, designed as a comprehensive, interactive tool providing access to misconduct reports submitted to the TEA and other education agencies.
The TEA news release says the program was designed “with parents and taxpayers in mind.” The dashboard will provide a breakdown of investigations, including allegations of fraud, inappropriate studenteducator relationships, and “other conduct that may impact student safety or violate professional standards.”
The program features action tabs at the bottom of the page for both the State Board for Educator Certification (SCEC) and the Do Not Hire Registry (DNHR), which allow users to view sanctions levied against offenders and explore DNHR placements by fiscal year.
“Transparency and public trust in our education system are central to ensuring our schools can accomplish their core mission for educating the next generation,” said Mike Morath, the Texas Education Commissioner. “This dashboard and associated resources reflect our commitment to ensuring the safety of all students and the integrity of those privileged to serve in our classrooms.”
This dashboard is embedded in the new Student Protection Resource Center, which is “a one-stop hub consolidating critical information and tools related to student safety, educator accountability, and disciplinary actions taken by TEA and SCEB.”
Educators, school employees, parents, students, and members of the community are welcomed by TEA to use the center to educate themselves on the legal responsibilities and the role of state and education agencies when it comes to reporting misconduct.
Lastly, the site outlines required training, reporting process, and compliance expectations for school leaders. It’s meant to explain, in-depth, how TEA “investigates allegations, reviews criminal history information, and works with SBEC to take disciplinary action when standards are violated.”
“These resources reflect our commitment to transparency and fostering trust in our schools,” said TEA Inspector General for Educator Misconduct Levi Fuller. He added that “the dashboard gives communities access to critical information, while the resource center brings together the tools and guidance school systems need to respond quickly and appropriately when concerns arise.”
The data that the education misconduct dashboard presents could be considered quite alarming and showcases a system handling thousands of complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions every year. However, TEA officials argue that the increase in reports and investigations reflects greater accountability as opposed to worsening problems.
“I don’t want anyone to be disheartened by the increased reports, by the increased investigations,” said Fuller to SBEC members during a meeting. “These are good things, and if we are successful, then eventually these numbers will go down.”