This guide, prepared to assist owners and managers of proprietary schools in Texas in applying for and obtaining approval by the Texas Education Agency, provides guidelines and minimum standards of practice for proprietary school operation. First, the guidelines are discussed in terms of definitions, exemptions, general provisions, certificates of approval, and permits for representatives. Focus of the second section is on minimum standards for the operation of proprietary schools and includes personnel, admission requirements, conduct policy, tuition and fees, cancellation and refund policy, instructional program data, advertising, minimum progress and attendance standards, financial stability, maximum pupil-teacher ratio, and records. The third section deals with hearings before the Commissioner of Education and covers topics, such as nature of hearings and appeals, service of pleadings, prehearing conference, notice of hearing, order of procedure at hearing, reporter, subpoenas, proposal for decisions, and motions for rehearing. Then follows a section on appeals to the State Board of Education for contested cases arising under the Texas Proprietary School Act and includes procedure for appeal, testimony and evidence, decisions, and rehearing. The last section covers the Texas Proprietary School Act, including general provisions, general powers and duties, authorized operation of schools, appeal, class action suits, and funding. (EM)