HOUSSE and Special Education Competency Worksheet
A comparison of the High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) and the new Texas Content Competency Worksheet for Special Education Teacher of Record has been posted in the HR Services Resource Library (member login required).
Effective September 1, 2025, school districts will discontinue use of HOUSSE and move to the new special education competency worksheet to qualify special education teachers of record for their assignment if they have not passed a subject matter certification exam.
Comparison Details
The comparison worksheet outlines the similarities and differences between the HOUSSE option and the new special education competency worksheet. Below are some of the highlights.
Points required to demonstrate subject competency
- Elementary HOUSSE: 24 total points with at least one point in each of the four content areas (ELAR, math, science, and social studies)
- Elementary special education competency worksheet: 24 total points with at least three points in each of the four content areas
- Secondary HOUSSE: 24 points in each of the four content areas
- Secondary special education competency worksheet: 18 points in each of the four content areas
Number of worksheets
- HOUSSE: Up to four
- Special education competency worksheet: One with multiple sections
Required teaching experience
- HOUSSE: One year minimum
- Special education competency worksheet: Provides a new teacher runway
Teaching experience
- HOUSSE: One point per year
- Special education competency worksheet: Three points per year
Professional development
- HOUSSE: One point per 15 hours of professional development
- Special education competency worksheet: One point per three hours of professional development
The special education competency worksheet offers additional ways to generate points not included in the current HOUSSE option. Below is a list of additional opportunities for generating points.
- Holds a major or minor in the content area (secondary teachers only)
- National Board-Certified Teacher designation
- Passing score on Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) exam
- Completed residency under supervision of special education teacher of record in content area
- Paraprofessional experience under supervision of special education teacher of record in content area
- Passed a Science of Teacher Reading (STR) exam and/or attended a reading academy
- Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) designation
Additional Support
HR Services is offering a webinar on Thursday, May 1, 2025. A registration invitation has been emailed to our member district contacts. If you are unable to register or attend, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the TASB Training and Events webpage for member viewing.
The Administrator’s Guide to Educator Certification is being updated to reflect the addition of the special education competency worksheet. Individuals who previously purchased the guide will be sent an addendum with the new information for special education teachers to demonstrate subject competency through the new worksheet.
HR Library documents previously related to HOUSSE will be updated as well.
Karen Dooley
Karen Dooley joined HR Services in 2016. She provides oversight to a team of consultants providing staffing services, HR reviews, and other projects. She provides training and assists school districts with their HR-related needs. Dooley is a seasoned administrator with more than 17 years of HR experience in Central Texas districts as a coordinator, director, and assistant superintendent. She also worked as an assistant principal, counselor, and teacher, and holds a superintendent certificate.
Dooley received her master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University and her bachelor’s degree from Texas State University.
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