Introduction
January 2021 has brought a flurry of learning opportunities just as it brought us rare snow flurries across the state last week. Again, we look forward to sharing these learning spaces with all of you. Please share this newsletter across your staff to ensure their awareness of the upcoming events and critical information!
1/22/2021: Oral and Written Communication STR Deep Dive: 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.
(registration link here)
1/25/2021: ResultsAnalyzer® Training Webinar Provided by Pearson: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
(more information below)
1/28/2021: ResultsAnalyzer® Training Webinar Provided by Pearson: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
(more information below)
2/1/2021: ResultsAnalyzer® Training Webinar Provided by Pearson: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
(more information below)
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
Applications (Class/Categories) Webinar presented on January 13th
Thank you to the 59 participants who attended this webinar! Due to technical difficulties,
this webinar has been re-recorded. The new recording will be posted to TEA’s Program Provider Resources page along with an FAQ document with questions submitted during the webinar. Look for it soon!
Title II Draft Reporting Guidance: Comment Period Open
TEA has been informed that draft Title II COVID-19 guidance was released in the Federal Register in December. The guidance is intended to support teacher preparation providers and states in the upcoming IPRC data collection. The draft guidance is currently going through the Department’s approval process, which includes an opportunity for you to review and provide public comment.
The direct link to the draft guidance is here. The link to the posting on the Federal Register is here. To formally submit a comment about the draft guidance, please click on the link above for the Federal Register posting and click the green “Submit a Formal Comment” button on that page. The public comment period will close on February 8, 2021.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
Transition of Core Subjects EC-6 291 to 391
The last administration date for 291 Core Subjects: EC-6 is 12/31/21. The first administration date for 391 Core Subjects: EC-6 was 1/1/21. These two exams are available concurrently in 2021, after which only 391 will be available. A passing score on 291 can be used for issuance of the Core Subjects with STR: EC-6 certificate no later than Dec. 31, 2022. Note that the 291 and 391 are separate exams and passing scores on subject exams of one exam cannot be combined with passing scores on subject exams of the other exam. In addition, candidates can continue to submit Test Limit Waivers for 291 through 12/1/21.
For information about this transition period in 2021, visit the Texas Education Agency website at:
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In the posted webinar, see information beginning at the 12:45 mark.
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In the accompanying posted webinar slide deck, see slides 13-14.
Representative examinations will be available to order no later than the following dates:
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Early Childhood PK-3: April 21, 2021
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Educational Diagnostician: April 21, 2021
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Science of Teaching Reading: April 29, 2021
Reminder-- Oral and Written Communication STR Deep Dive on 1/22/21, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Registration is still open here to sign up for the upcoming training in our STR Deep Dive series. We look forward to engaging in this learning opportunity with you next week.
Newly Launched Certification Exams: Test Administration and Score Reporting Windows
Beginning in January 2021, four new TExES exams are now live. These exams include:
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293 Science of Teaching Reading TExES
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292 Early Childhood: PK-3 TExES
- 253 Educational Diagnostician TExES
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391 Core Subjects EC-6 TExES.
The first test administration window and score reporting dates can be found below. The score reporting date is the earliest date that a candidate could receive a score report for an exam taken during the administration date range shown. Please note that as results from the initial administration of the 293 STR exam will not be available until early February, HB-3 impacted certificates will not be able to issue until February 2021.
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Core Subjects: EC-6 (391)
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Science of Teaching Reading
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Educational Diagnostician
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Save the Date: ResultsAnalyzer® Training Webinars Provided by Pearson
On December 13, 2020, Pearson released an upgrade to the ResultsAnalyzer® software, the valuable online data analysis tool that enables EPPs to access, sort, and analyze program testing data. The update introduces changes to the user interface intended to make the software and menus easier to use, and a new user guide is available.
To support ongoing access to and understanding of your testing data, Pearson is hosting three upcoming webinars focused on orientation to ResultsAnalyzer®. Attendees will be introduced to the basic features of the three primary data streams in ResultsAnalyzer®. We will focus on a particular technique for comparing results across exam fields. Each of the three sessions will be delivered live (not recorded) and cover the same content.
The webinars are open to EPP-designated primary score reporting contacts and additional EPP-based users for whom they have granted access to. Please note registration is required in advance. Invitations to register are being delivered directly to primary score reporting contacts at each EPP and available in the hyperlinked dates and times below:
edTPA Pilot Year 3 Application Launch
At the October 2020 SBEC meeting, the SBEC approved the extension of the Texas edTPA pilot for a third year, the 2021-2022 academic year. We are excited to announce that the Year 3 edTPA pilot is open to any additional educator preparation program who is interested in beginning implementation of the edTPA and becoming a part of the collaborative edTPA community. To participate in the edTPA pilot, preparation programs must complete the edTPA Pilot Year 3 Application. The application window is now open, and you can view and download the application linked here. The application closes February 15, 2021 with an announcement of programs accepted into the pilot on February 26, 2021. Programs should send their completed applications to DeMarco Pitre (demarco.pitre@tea.texas.gov). If you have any questions or would like to schedule a one-on-one conversation to discuss the edTPA pilot and application process, please contact DeMarco.
Please note the application process timeline below:
edTPA Pilot Year 3 Application Process Timeline
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Year 3 application goes live
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Year 3 application closes
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Year 3 programs announced
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DID YOU KNOW?
Although the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) examination and the Reading Academies are both requirements of HB 3 from the 86th Legislature, 2019, they are different mandates.
The STR examination is a mandated requirement for the issuance of a teaching certification. The STR examination is required for teacher candidates seeking an intern, probationary, or standard certificate in the following certification fields:
- Early Childhood: EC – Grade 3
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Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood–Grade 6
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Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
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English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
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English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
Completion of the Reading Academies is a mandated requirement for all in-service teachers and administrators who teach students in grades Kindergarten to 3rd.
Teachers who take and pass the STR exam will still be required to take the Reading Academies once hired by a Texas school district.
Information and updates related to Educator Certification
There is no new information to share currently.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
The 87th gaveled into session on January 12, 2021. Legislators have numerous priorities for this session, many related to education. Members of the public can stay informed about the progress of legislation using tools available at the Texas Legislature Online.
Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: I am trying to recommend candidates for standard certification in Core Subjects EC-6 who passed the TExES #291 exam before 12/31/2020 but I cannot find the Core Subjects EC-6 certification category. Do I use the Core Subjects EC-6 with STR certification category for these candidates?
A: Yes. Candidates who are certifying in one of the STR-impacted certification categories will be recommended with the new certification categories that include “with STR” in the title. Since the previous certificates are no longer available in the program’s certificate inventory as of 1/1/2021, programs should use the new certification categories that include “with STR” to recommend for standard certification for those who qualify.
Candidates will need to complete the STR exam requirement.
Q: If I have a candidate who is starting an internship in 2021 using an intern certificate issued with a passing score on the TExES #291 exam, will the candidate be able to be certified in 2022 using the TExES #291 Core Subjects EC-6 exam?
A: Yes, if the candidate meets requirements for Core Subjects EC-6 with STR certificate,
including the TExES STR #293 exam requirement, the candidate can use the #291 exam for certification until 12/31/2022. For more detail about certificate transitions, please see the Educator Standards and Testing section above.
Your best source for information and support at the TEA
As an Educator Preparation Program, your main point of contact is your Program Specialist.
To view a list of EPPs and their associated Program Specialist, please click here.
Information regarding the Science of Teaching Reading Exam can be accessed at tea.texas.gov/str.
Information regarding edTPA 2020-2021 information opportunities can be accessed here.
Information and updates regarding the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) can be accessed at the Important Updates link.
When possible, we present updates and shared practices from EPPs around Texas. If you have information you would like to share in this space, please reach out to your program specialist.
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