First ESAC Meeting of 2025 Focuses on Exam Proctoring

For the Texas Real Estate Commission, 2025 opens with the first meeting of the year held by the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC). Its January 6 agenda began with an introduction of new members:

• Christina Valero, license holder member
• Christopher Gonzalez, license holder member
• Paul Silverman, educator

Reappointments were also made:

• Bill Steddum, license holder member.
• Kandi Luensmann, license holder member.
• Kara Bang, reappointed this time as an educator.

The group then participated in an annual advisory committee training on the core functions of ESAC, the Commission, and the committee meetings process.

Elections

Three ESAC officers were elected:

• Bill Steddum will remain chair
• Byron Underwood, educator, will remain vice-chair
• Kassie Scott, a license holder member, was elected as secretary

What's Next for Exam Proctoring?

ESAC, along with the Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC), previously recommended amendments to a set of rules regarding student identification requirements and course exam proctoring. The changes include removing proctoring requirements for course final exams and certain courses delivered using technology. To be consistent with those recommendations, the committee is now considering striking rule language that states final exams must be closed book.

To give stakeholders an opportunity to weigh in on these changes, ESAC recommends withdrawing the current rules as proposed. Staff will draft language for ESAC's review at its April meeting with a possibility of a new recommendation being made by the committee for the May Commission meeting.

Meeting Materials

View this meeting's video recording, materials, and agenda.

Upcoming Meeting Information

ESAC will meet again Monday, April 7 at 10 a.m. CT.