State Waivers Unit
The State Waivers Unit of the is responsible for the coordination of expedited and general state waivers and class size exceptions. See Texas Education Code , Waivers & Exemptions, for rules.
A district may submit a waiver request using the Waivers application located in the system. If you do not have access to L or the Waivers application, see the State Waivers Guidebook (linked below) for instructions.
A State Waivers Division mailing list has been established to provide e-mail notifications of important deadlines and website updates. To subscribe, go to the , enter your contact information, and select State Waivers from the Publications list.
2025-2026 Applications L Availability Dates
Note: Once a new waiver year opens, the prior school year waiver application will no longer be available.
General & Expedited
July 7, 2025
Attendance (Missed School Day, Low Attendance, ADSY)
August 1, 2025
Bilingual Education Exception/English as a Second Language (ESL) Waiver
August 1, 2025
Class Size
August 25, 2025
Accelerated Instruction
Anticipated: Late August/Early September
State Waivers Guidebook
The 24-25 Waivers Guidebook is a guide for districts and charter schools that includes information related to available waivers, associated requirements, agency policies, and pertinent resources. (NOTE: the 25-26 Waivers Guidebook is anticipated to be published on August 1, 2025.)
Waiver FAQs
Waiver Categories
Most waiver types are placed into one of four categories:
- Expedited Waivers are waivers that require basic information from the district.
- General Waivers are waivers that require detailed information surrounding the district's waiver request.
- Attendance Waivers include Missed School Days, Low Attendance Days, and Additional Days School Year (ADSY) waivers. The district or campus can request a waiver for excused absences if instructional days are missed or if attendance is low due to weather, health, or safety issues.
- Maximum Class Size Exception is required under the provision of TEC §25.112 if any class for grades PK-4 exceeds the allowable class size limit of 22 students per class (22:1). An exception expires at the end of the school year for which it is granted.
Waiver Types
The following list shows the different waiver types and links to their description:
Expedited
- Foreign Exchange Student Waiver (Request 5 or more)
- Modified Schedule State Assessment Testing Days Waiver
- Staff Development Waiver
- Teacher Portal for the Texas Assessment Program Data Waiver
General
- Accelerated Instruction Waiver
- Bilingual Education Exception and English as a Second Language (ESL) Waiver
- Certification for Superintendent/Teacher/Other than Classroom Teacher Waiver
- Course Requirement Waiver
- Course Requirement Career and Technical Education (CTE) Waiver
- Pregnancy Related Services On-Campus (CEH) Waiver
- Remote Conferencing Instruction/Remote Homebound Instruction Waiver
- School Safety Waiver
- Other Specific Waivers
Attendance
A State Waivers Division mailing list has been established to provide e-mail notifications of important deadlines and website updates. To subscribe, go to the , enter your contact information, and select State Waivers from the Publications list.
Related Links
State Waivers
Phone: (512) 463-9630
Email: waivers@tea.texas.gov
Bilingual Education Exception/ESL Waivers
Phone: (512) 463-9414
Email: EmergentBilingualSupport@tea.texas.gov
Certification Waivers
Phone: (512) 936-8400 (option 2)
Test-Limit Waivers
Phone: (512) 463-9039