Introduction
“Around here, we don’t look backward for very long… We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we’re curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
This is the perfect quote to summarize education. We are always moving forward and blazing new trails. As society and the world around us changes, so do we. Innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement is what educators do day in and day out. As we strive to support you in your endeavors, we have compiled the most up-to-date information concerning what you need to know that impacts your candidates in the coming weeks.
Please thoroughly read all the sections for reminders, upcoming events, to dos, and FAQs.
We hope that this newsletter provides clarity and platform for access to all the important updates.
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Description |
Event Date |
Event Time |
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Hosted by Westat to review the IPRC report process
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10:00 - 11:00 am (more information below)
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Upcoming
edTPA 101
Session |
Overview for faculty, instructors, and P-12 partners new to edTPA
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| Topic |
Action Item |
Due Date |
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Deadline for PASL Task Submission
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April 13, 2021,
1:00 PM CT
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Waiver Probationary (WPRO) or Waiver Intern (WINT) Certificate
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Complete all Testing Requirements
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Before the WPRO or WINT certificate expires
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
ASEP Mid-Year Data Sets
Educator preparation programs were sent the 2020-2021 mid-year data sets, including observation, pass rate, and finisher records list data, following the ASEP Mid-Year Update webinar on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021. EPPs can use this information to support their reporting. If your EPP did not yet have data for a particular data set, TEA did not send a file for it. Please contact your assigned program specialist if you have questions about the mid-year data sets.
Save the Date: Title II Webinar
On Thursday, April 1st, at 10:00am there will be a webinar hosted by Westat to directly support Texas EPPs in the completion of the IPRC Title II report. This report is due April 30th. This training webinar is designed for individuals at EPPs who complete the IPRC report. If you would like to learn more about the reporting process, you may register for the webinar. Once you register for the webinar, you will receive an email confirmation.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: PASL Registration Deadline on 4/2/21
Friday, April 2nd is the final day for PASL registration for the Spring 2021 submission window. Please communicate with candidates as soon as possible to ensure they have registered. Candidates will have to submit all tasks by April 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm CT.
Certification Exam Testing Center Masking Policy Update
As of March, educators will have the opportunity to choose the masking policy that suits them best, as Pearson-owned testing centers will continue to require masks while partner testing sites will implement policies appropriate for their location. Educators with specific masking requirements should check with their test center before arriving for their testing appointment.
STR Text Comprehension and Analysis Deep Dive: Training Resources
Thank you for attending our most recent STR webinar series training. As always, we appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with you. We have attached here the training deck, participants’ materials, and the asynchronous recording (passcode: nLSr?3^b). Additionally, please complete this survey to provide us valuable feedback to inform future trainings.
This session’s training materials will also be available on our new STR EPP Resource Page, along with past training resources and other useful information and tools.
EdTPA 101 Sessions
Beginning this month, until November, all Texas educator preparation programs will have the opportunity to attend an “edTPA 101: Orientation to Performance-Based, Subject-Specific Assessment” webinar. This webinar is for faculty, instructors, and P-12 partners who support teacher candidates and are new to the edTPA. In this webinar, participants will be provided with an overview of the purpose, development, and design of the edTPA.
Additionally, participants will examine what candidates provide as evidence for each of the edTPA tasks, engage in a review of the scoring process, and learn how to access key resources. *The same content will be provided each month this webinar is offered.*
DID YOU KNOW?
For the purpose of the test-limit waiver application, a list of TEA-approved providers is available to show candidates all of the vendors who are approved to offer educational activities.
Clock-hours may be completed online or in person. All educational activities must be completed after the last unsuccessful attempt and must be directly related to the competencies on the exam.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: If we have a student who is certifying LOTE-German, would they need to be placed into a German class for their internship, or could they be placed in a General Education ESL classroom?
A: A candidate’s internship assignment must match the certificate category sought by the candidate and aligned to coursework and preparation provided by the candidate’s
educator preparation program. An internship is deemed successful when the candidate demonstrates proficiency in the educator standards taught in the internship assignment.
The candidate will need to be placed in an assignment that allows them to develop, practice, and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to be proficient in the LOTE: German certification field.
Q: How many programs are currently approved to offer the Early Childhood: Pre-k – 3 certificate?
A: Currently, Midwestern State University, Sam Houston State University, Tarleton
State University, and the University of Texas – Permian Basin are approved for prepare
candidates for EC: Pre-k – 3rd grade in the undergraduate route. Region 14 Education Service Center and YES Preparatory Public Schools are approved to prepare candidates in the EC: Pre-k – 3rd grade in the alternative route.
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.
Updated information related to the COVID-19 response can be accessed here.
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Practice based preparation resources for virtual field-based experience: Provides model lessons and video of instructional delivery.
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Practice based preparation resources for virtual field-based experience: Provides content neutral pedagogical skill building through observing a model of and practicing the same high leverage skill.
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Full scope and sequence of upcoming edTPA training opportunities.
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Get Connected—Collaborative STR Preparation Networking Group
Are you interested in joining a collaborative network for learning about and preparing teachers for the STR exam? Share your contact information on this form to get the conversation started! Thank you to Melissa Stewart at Region 13 for driving this opportunity.
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