2026-2027 Empowering ECSE Educators to Improve Student Outcomes Grant
Application Window - October 15, 2026 through November 20, 2026
Grant Overview
The Empowering Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Educators to Improve Student Outcomes grant will provide funding support for local education agencies and education service centers seeking training and certification for ECSE professionals during the 2026-2027 school year. Trainings will focus on behavior management and inclusive opportunities and will increase ECSE educators’ ability to improve student outcomes for children with disabilities, ages 3-5 and not in kindergarten. LEAs also can apply for funding through the program to support prekindergarten teachers with dual certification in special education and general education.
With the passage of House Bill 2 (HB2), educators pursuing certification in Special Education or Bilingual Education are eligible for financial support. Specifically, the certification exam fee for their first attempt on the associated content pedagogy exam will be waived, as well as the certification application fee. This means that when registering for the exam or submitting the certification application, the cost will be $0.
Due to this change, for educators pursuing the Core Subjects EC–6 certificate through the certification-by-examination pathway communicated during, allowable reimbursement may include the required certification examinations and the certification application fee:
- TExES 391 – Core Subjects EC–6
- TExES 293 – Science of Teaching Reading (STR)
- TEAL/ECOS Additional Certification by Examination application fee
Who is eligible to apply?
The Empowering ECSE Educators to Improve Student Outcomes Grant application is to provide funding support for LEAs and ESCs seeking training and certification for ECSE professionals during the 2026-2027 school year. Priority will be given to LEAs that are working to certify highly qualified ECSE teachers. Prior approval is required through the grant application process before any refundable expense can be incurred. Awards will be determined based on the proportion of LEAs and ESCs that apply, and the reimbursement amounts requested.
Contact Information
For grant application content questions, email empoweringECSE@region10.org.
