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Texas Commissioner of Education
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Robert Scott.
Authority
The Comissioner's powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Chapter 7 of the Texas Education Code.
Chapter 7 Section 51:
| The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint the commissioner of education.[1] |
Qualifications
Chapter 7 of the Texas Education Code establishes the requirements for office:
Section 51, Chapter 7:
| The commissioner must be a citizen of the United States.[2] |
Appointments
The commissioner of education is appointed by the Governor of Texas with the consent of the Senate.[3]
Vacancies
Under Article 4, Section 12 of the state constitution, "all vacancies in State or district offices, except members of the Legislature, shall be filled unless otherwise provided by law by appointment of the Governor."
Duties
The commissioner of education serves as the educational leader of the state, serving as the executive officer of the Texas Education Agency and executive secretary of the state Board of Education, overseeing the state's 1,200 school districts and charter schools. The commissioner carries out duties as directed by both state agency and the state legislature.
The specific duties of the commissioner are outlined, in detail, in Title 2, Subtitle B, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, Section 7.055(b) of the Texas statutes.
Divisions
- General Council
- Federal and State Education Policy
- Student Assessment
- Research and Analysis
- Educator Standards
- Charter Schools
- Discretionary Grants [4]
Former officeholders
Since 1950, Texas has had 13 Commissioners of Education.
Click "show" for former officeholders.
| # | Name | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | Robert Scott | 2007 | Present |
| # | Shirley J. Neeley | 2004 | 2007 |
| # | Felipe T. Alanis | 2002 | 2003 |
| # | James Nelson | 1999 | 2002 |
| # | Michael Moses | 1995 | 1999 |
| # | Lionel Meno | 1991 | 1995 |
| # | Tom Anderson | 1991 | 1991 |
| # | William N. Kirby | 1984 | 1991 |
| # | Raynum L. Bynum | 1981 | 1984 |
| # | Alton O. Bowen | 1979 | 1981 |
| # | M.L. Brockett | 1974 | 1979 |
| # | J.W. Edgar | 1950 | 1974 |
Compensation
In 2010, the Texas Commissioner of Education was paid an estimated $186,300 according to the Council of State Governments.[5]
Contact information
William B. Travis Building
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas
78701
Phone:512/463-9734
Fax:512/463-9838
See also
External links
References
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