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!
1/28/2021: 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
Reminder – 20% Reduction Allowance
Due to the Governor’s Declaration of Disaster that is still in effect, 19 TAC §228.1(d) allows a 20% reduction in days required for clinical teaching, internships, and practicums that occur in the 2020-2021 academic year, if necessary. Programs can document this reduction in candidate records to keep track of what was required while the candidate was completing the training requirement.
Reminder – Observation Reporting in ASEP
Don’t forget – programs should report candidate observations to ASEP as they occur throughout the academic year. TEA recommends program do this to help lessen any last-minute reporting issues that can arise as we get closer to the reporting deadline (September 15th). TEA’s Educator Preparation Program Management data team will send out mid-year ASEP reports in March to each program’s Legal Authority and Certification Officer. This data will help to identify reporting issues and provide reporting reminders. The 2020–2021 Educator Preparation Program Data Reporting Manual includes information about observation reporting processes and helpful tips.
Contact List Confirmation
To ensure TEA has the most up-to-date program contact information, contact information emails will be sent to all programs from their assigned program specialist on Monday, February 1st, 2021. The email will include a contact information table with the current contact information we have on file. This email will be sent to the program’s Legal Authority and/or Primary Point of Contact. Programs will need to verify if the information is correct and revise if needed. Programs can edit the information within the table and respond to the email with an updated contact information table (if needed). If the contact information is correct, please verify so with a response to the email.
Programs should include staff that are responsible for program process, such as the program’s certification officer. Since TEA refers to program contact information daily and uses the information to send out important reminders, it is imperative that we have the correct contact information on file. Please contact your assigned program specialist if you have any questions about this.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
Reminder- Pilot Test Administration: School Counselor (252) and Trade and Industrial (370) Exams
As a reminder, pilot tests for School Counselor (252) and Trade and Industrial (370) will begin on 1/29/2021, and TEA and Pearson are still seeking participants for these important activities. Candidates currently enrolled in educator preparation programs for these fields will be able to sign up to take the pilot test soon. Candidate benefits of engaging in the pilot test include:
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providing input into an exam that will be taken by future educators
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gauging professional knowledge by taking actual test questions
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gaining practical testing experience
Please note that participation in a pilot test does not satisfy certification requirements, and participants do not receive a score or a Pass/Fail status.
New School Librarian and Reading Specialist Educator Standards Advisory Committee Nominations
At the December 2020 SBEC meeting, the SBEC approved TEA staff to establish Educator Standards Advisory Committees for School Librarian and Reading Specialist certificate areas. These Educator Standards Advisory Committees will:
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advise on relevant updates to the educator standards, and
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advise on issues related to the certificate area more broadly.
TEA staff is seeking committee member nominations from the SBEC, professional organizations, educator preparation programs, teacher organizations, and other key stakeholders to ensure a pool of well-qualified candidates for selection. The nomination period begins on December 15, 2020 and closes on February 15, 2021.
The nomination forms for School Librarian and Reading Specialist committee members can be accessed here. All nominations should be submitted via email to TEAEducatorStandards@tea.texas.gov on or before the February 15, 2021 deadline.
TEA staff plan to bring between 8-15 committee members each for School Librarian and Reading Specialist committees to the SBEC for approval in April 2021.
New STR Deep Dive Resources
Thank you for attending our STR training on 1/22/21. We appreciated the opportunity to engage in collaborative learning. In next week’s edition, we will be sharing the slide deck, the recorded training, and materials we shared during the training. We look forward to the next session on 3/5/21!
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.
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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
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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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 Legislature 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 have an applicant that is seeking school counselor certification, but the individual has 1.5 years as a teacher and has been an “interventionist” for the rest of the time. Can they be admitted as a school counselor?
A: The applicant may be admitted to the program, but to be standard certified, the individual will be required to have 2 years of experience as a classroom teacher. Per 19 TAC §228.2(10), a classroom teacher is defined as an educator who is employed by a school or district and who, not less than an average of four hours each day, teaches in an academic instructional setting or a career and technical instructional setting. This term does not include an educational aide or a full-time administrator. Programs will use the candidate’s service record to verify the experience required for the School Counseling certification category.
Q: What happens if candidates who hold WINT or WPRO certificates have not passed all of the required tests by the end of the school year?
A: Candidates who currently hold Intern or Probationary certificates, including WINT and WPRO certificates, must have all required tests passed to qualify for another certificate after the current certificate expires.
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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