Texas Commissioner of Education
| Texas Commissioner of Education | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $220,375 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $31,526,554,108 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Texas Education Code, Chapter 7, Section 51 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the governor |
| Current Officeholder | |
Texas Commissioner of Education
Mike Morath | |
| Other Texas Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Comptroller • Auditor • Education Commissioner • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Land Commissioner • Workforce Commission • Public Utility Commission • Railroad Commission | |
The Texas Commissioner of Education is a state executive position in the Texas state government. The commissioner is tasked with overseeing the Texas Education Agency.
Current officeholder
Mike Morath was sworn in as Texas Commissioner of Education on January 4, 2016, after being appointed to the position on December 14, 2015, by Gov. Greg Abbott (R).[1]
Authority
The commissioner'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.[2] |
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.[3] |
Appointments
The commissioner of education is appointed by the Governor of Texas with the consent of the state 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."[4]
Duties
As of January 2021, the stated duties of the commissioner were to "[provide] leadership to schools, [manage] the state education agency, and [provide] coordination with the state legislature and other branches of state government as well as the U.S. Department of Education."[5]
State budget
- See also: Texas state budget and finances
The budget for the Texas Education Agency in Fiscal Year 2025 was $31,526,554,108.[6]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $220,375, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2021
In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $220,375, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2020
In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $220,375 according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2019
In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $220,375 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2018
In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $220,375 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $220,375 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, the commissioner received a salary of $220,375 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $215,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the commissioner received a salary of $215,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, the commissioner received a salary of $186,300 according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2010
In 2010, the commissioner received a salary of $186,300 according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
Historical officeholders
Since 1950, Texas has had 14 commissioners of education. Prior to 1950, the position was called State Superintendent of Public Instruction and it was an elected position.[18]
Click "show" for a list of officeholders.
| # | Name | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Mike Morath | 2016 | Present |
| 13 | Michael Williams | 2012 | 2016 |
| 12 | Robert Scott | 2007 | 2012 |
| 11 | Shirley J. Neeley | 2004 | 2007 |
| 10 | Felipe T. Alanis | 2002 | 2003 |
| 9 | James Nelson | 1999 | 2002 |
| 8 | Michael Moses | 1995 | 1999 |
| 7 | Lionel Meno | 1991 | 1995 |
| 6 | Tom Anderson | 1991 | 1991 |
| 5 | William N. Kirby | 1984 | 1991 |
| 4 | Raynum L. Bynum | 1981 | 1984 |
| 3 | Alton O. Bowen | 1979 | 1981 |
| 2 | M.L. Brockett | 1974 | 1979 |
| 1 | J.W. Edgar | 1950 | 1974 |
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Texas Education Commissioner. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Physical address:
William B. Travis Building
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas, 78701
Phone: (512) 463-9734
Fax: (512) 463-9838
See also
| Texas | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Education Agency, "Commissioner's Biography," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Texas State Capitol, "Chapter 7 of the Texas Education Code," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Texas State Capitol, "Chapter 7 Section 54 of the Texas Education Code," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Texas State Legislature, "Texas State Constitution," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Texas Education Agency, "Office of the Commissioner," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "H.B. No. 1 General Appropriations Act," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 28, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed November 4, 2011
- ↑ Texas Education Agency, "TEA Commissioners from 1950 to Present," accessed January 25, 2021
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