February 2, 2021: Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter

Texas Education Agency

February, 2 2021

Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter

student at computer, remote learning

Introduction

As January comes to an end, the start of a new month can bring new opportunities and a fresh start in meeting professional and personal goals. We hope that the trainings we've presented and the weekly EPP newsletters have provided information and support to help EPPs and candidates be successful.  

If you are not currently subscribed to the newsletter, please sign up at the link below 
Educator Preparation Program Listserv Registration  


Table of Contents


Upcoming Events

2/12/2021: edTPA Statewide Webinar: edTPA Handbook and Rubric Deep Dive from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Registration information below) 

2/24/2021: Certificate Correction and Deactivation webinar from 10:00 am – 11:00 am 
(registration available soon) 

3/5/2021: STR Deep Dive Training #3, 10:00 - 12:00 pm CST (register here) 


Upcoming Deadlines

Topic Action Item Due Date

edTPA Year 3 Application 

Final date to submit an edTPA Year 3 Pilot
application to 
DeMarco.Pitre@tea.texas.gov  

February 15, 2021 

School Librarian and Reading Specialist Educator Standards Advisory Committee Nominations 

Final date to submit nomination forms for School Librarian and Reading Specialist Educator Standards Advisory Committees to
TEAEducatorStandards
@tea.texas.gov
 

February 15, 2021 


Educator Preparation Program Support

Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management  

Upcoming webinar: Certificate Correction & Deactivation  
During this webinar, TEA will review the certificate correction and deactivation processes, including how to submit a correction or deactivation request and what documents are required. TEA will also provide suggested processes that can be implemented by the EPP. The intended audience for this webinar is EPP staff who are responsible for recommending certificates and who support candidates during the internship process. 
Stay tuned for the registration link in next week’s newsletter.  

Certificate Deactivations (19 TAC §228.35(e)(2)(B)(vi)-(viii)) 
With the upcoming Certificate Correction and Deactivation webinar, TEA wanted to highlight a couple of certificate deactivation process reminders for intern or probationary certificatesA certificate deactivation would occur due to:  

  • A candidate’s resignation, non-renewal, or termination from the internship placement 
  • A candidate’s discharge or release from the program 
  • A candidate withdraws from the program
  • If the internship assignment does not meet requirements 

To submit an intern or probationary certificate deactivation request, programs will submit a Help Desk ticket to thPreparation Programs tab. If the certificate deactivation request is submitted to another TEA team, it can delay the deactivation process. Please note that all deactivation documents must be received before the deactivation process can start. The following are required to process a certificate deactivation:  

  1. TEA Deactivation Letter on EPP letterhead and signed by the program’s Legal Authority
  2. Evidence of the EPP notifying the candidate of the deactivation 
  3. Evidence of the EPP notifying the employing district of the deactivation 
  4. Candidate's resignation letter (if applicable) 

For additional certificate deactivation information, including what is required for the TEA deactivation letter, please join us for the Certificate Correction and Deactivation webinar. 

Reminder – Observation Reporting in ASEP 
Don’t forget – programs should report candidate observations to ASEP as they occur throughout the academic year. TEA recommends programs 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 OfficerThis 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 
Contact information emails were sent out on Monday, February 1st, 2021to each 
program’s Legal Authority and/or Primary Point of Contact. 
Programs will need to verify that the contact 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.  


Educator Standards and Testing

Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing

Save the Date: edTPA Year 3 Application Informational Webinar  
Did you miss the last edTPA Pilot Year 3 Application webinar hosted in early January, or do you have questions about or need clarification with the application? Then join the Texas edTPA Pilot community for an encore Year 3 Application Informational Webinar. During this time, we will dive deep into the edTPA Year 3 Pilot application, walking through program requirements and expectations. This will also be a time ask any questions you might have. See dates, times, and the links to join below: 

  • edTPA Year 3 Application Webinar (New applicants): February 5, 2021: 2:00-3:30 pm, click here to join. 

EdTPA Statewide Webinars 
In partnership with Pearson, Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning and Equity, and Texas’ edTPA Regional Coordinators, a series of edTPA virtual workshops and webinars have been scheduled for 2021. These workshops and webinars are open to all Texas educator preparation programs (not limited to pilot programs) and are a great way to learn more about edTPA and to engage more deeply with edTPA practitioners and explorers.  We encourage you to join us and learn more! We welcome you to share this information with your educator preparation program colleagues and P-12 school partners who may be interested in participating. See dates, times, and links below for upcoming learning opportunities. If you have any questions about edTPA or the upcoming workshops and webinars, please reach out to DeMarco Pitre (demarco.pitre@tea.texas.gov). 

Handbook and Rubric Deep Dive 

February 12, 2021 

  • 9AM-3PM 

 In this workshop, a member of the edTPA National Academy will guide participants through a close examination of the edTPA tasks and rubrics, providing a deeper dive into what candidates are asked to think about, do, and write for each task as well as how candidate portfolios will be evaluated. 

Register 
HERE 

 

*See full scope and sequence of state-wide workshops and webinars accessible to Texas EPPs here 

STR Deep Dive Resources 
Thank you for attending our STR training on 1/22/21. We appreciated the opportunity to engage in collaborative learning. You may access the recorded version of the training: 
STR Deep Dive #2: Asynchronous Version  and join with the passcode: QF8tF*!= . We have also included the slide deck and the participant materials.    

Additionally, we have included a survey for you to share your feedback. As always, your input is valuable and informs planning and development of future opportunities. Please access the survey hereSTR Deep Dive #2: Survey  

Lesson Study Gateway Resources  
The Lesson Study Gateway lesson resources are developed by Texas educators and may be useful resources when supporting candidates to complete field-based experience hours. The Gateway Lessons are TEKS-aligned, research-based lessons designed and tested by Texas classroom teachers then reviewed and approved by trained Texas educators. Lesson resources include lesson plans, student assessments and clips of lesson delivery.  These lessons exemplify many best practices in instructional planning and delivery and are aligned with the knowledge and skills represented in our Texas Teacher Standards TAC 149.1001. 

Linked here is a flyer with further context for EPPs, recommendations for lessons to preview, and directions for creating an access account: Lesson Study_Gateway Resources_ EPP Flyer  

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:  

  • providing input into an exam that will be taken by future educators 
  • gauging professional knowledge by taking actual test questions 
  • gaining practical testing experience 

Candidates can find out more information and register for a pilot test through the pilot test landing page: https://home.pearsonvue.com/espilot/tea 

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. 

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: 

  • advise on relevant updates to the educator standards, and 
  • 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. 

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: 

  • In the posted webinar, see information beginning at the 12:45 mark.  
  • In the accompanying posted webinar slide deck, see slides 13-14. 

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 hereThe 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). Iyou have any questions or would like to schedule 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 

December 15, 2020 

Year 3 application goes live 

February 15, 2021 

Year 3 application closes 

February 26, 2021 

Year 3 programs announced 

 

DID YOU KNOW? 
The Teacher Certification Redesign page includes information about content assessments that will be updated to include increased content pedagogy to be assessed through both multiple choice and constructed response questions. The dates listed represent the current target launch date, however they may be subject to change. Any amendments will be made on the site. 


Educator Certification

Information and updates related to Educator Certification 

There is no new information to share currently 


Updates About SBEC, Rules, and Legislation

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.


FAQ 

Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.  

Q: I have an EPP applicant with a bachelor’s degree from a university that is not based in the United StatesMay I admit the applicant? 
A: Yes, you may admit the applicant. For applicants with an out-of-country degree, a TOEFL may be required. The program will need to obtain verification the applicant has met the minimum required scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading, and 21 for writing. Also, if the transcript is in Spanish, the applicant will need a transcript evaluation from an approved service. Reference 19 TAC §227.10(7) and 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(B). 

Q: What are the requirements for currently certified teachers who want to obtain an EC-3 certificate? 
A: The requirements for a currently certified teacher who wants to obtain aEC-3 certificate differ depending on the certificate held.  

candidate who holds a valid Texas teaching certificate in a certificate category found in 19 TAC§227.10(g), will only need a minimum of 150 clock-hours of coursework that is directly aligned to the EC-3 educator standards including the new STR standards. A clinical teaching or internship assignment is not required nor is the candidate required to meet the program’s admission requirements. The program can recommend the standard certificate once the candidate completes the coursework requirement and completes the standard certificate application process.  

A candidate who holds a valid Texas teaching certificate in a certificate category that is not found in 19 TAC§227.10(g), will be required to meet the program’s admission requirements and complete all certification requirements, including a clinical teaching or internship assignment. The program can recommend the standard certificate once the candidate completes all program requirements and completes the standard certificate application process. 


EPP Points of Contact

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.    

For easiest assistance, file a HelpDesk Ticket 


For More Information

Information regarding educator certification testing can be accessed at the Texas Educator Certification Exam website 

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.  

Updated information related to the COVID-19 response can be accessed here 

To view previous editions of the weekly newsletter, please see the Texas Educator Preparation Program Weekly Newsletter webpage. 


From Our Programs

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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