Introduction
“Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new”. – Og Mandino
Asking questions is difficult, but hopefully this quote serves as a good reminder that it is okay to ask questions and seek clarity. Unfortunately, as humans, we cannot know everything and should have a desire to be a continuous learner. Each day presents us with new opportunities to become better and expand our minds. As we work to prepare new educators, we must model this mindset of asking questions and having a willingness to learn. The newsletter serves as a support in these endeavors, by compiling 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.
| Topic |
Description |
Event Date |
Event Time |
| Special Education Educator Standards Overview |
Participants will collaboratively engage with the Special Education standards
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| PAIL Training: Performance Data to Inform Practice |
Participants will examine data
and unpack priority competencies to
inform planning
for practice-based
principal preparation
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| TExES Exam in Focus: Educational Diagnostician (253) |
An in-depth look into the structure, content, and scoring of the newly launched exam
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| Topic |
Action Item |
Due Date |
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Title II IPRC Report
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Deadline for submission of Title II IPRC report through title2.ed.gov
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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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Principal and Teacher Survey Distribution
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Principals complete this survey in ECOS and provide feedback regarding the preparation of the eligible teachers on their campus. Supporting information is available on the Principal
Survey webpage.
Teachers are informed about the survey via email and supporting information is available on the Teacher
Survey webpage.
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Complete by June 15, 2021
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
Title II Reporting - Deadline Approaching!
With April comes Title II IPRC reporting season! This report is due by April 30, 2021. This federally required reporting happens annually. Programs will update and submit their Title II IPRCs at title2.ed.gov. As a reminder, TEA does not oversee the Title II reporting website, but we are able to monitor completion of this reporting by EPPs. If you have questions or need assistance, or need log in information for the website, please reach out to title2@westat.com.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: TExES Exam in Focus: Educational Diagnostician (253)
The redeveloped Educational Diagnostician (253) exam launched on January 25, 2021. To support EPPs in preparing candidates for this new exam, the Texas Education Agency and Pearson are pleased to host a 90-minute webinar on May 18, 2021, from 1:00-2:30 CST, for an in-depth look into the structure, content, and scoring of the assessment.
Participants will review the exam framework, design, development process, and scoring. In addition, they will engage in walking through sample selected-response items, reviewing different approaches and formats common to the Educational Diagnostician exam, and diving deep into a sample constructed-response item. Participants will also review and discuss the rubric, model responses, and different approaches and strategies to help candidates respond to the charge. Time will be reserved for Q&A.
You may register in advance for this webinar here. You may submit questions and/or comments in advance through the registration page. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Updated: English Language Arts and Reading: 4-8 (217) Pilot Testing
Pearson continues to seek participants for the upcoming pilot test for the redeveloped English Language Arts and Reading: Grades 4-8 (217) exam. For information on eligibility, incentives, advantages of participation, scheduling, and registration for pilot tests, please visit the Pilot Testing website here: https://home.pearsonvue.com/espilot/tea. Registration is open and pilot testing begins April 27, 2021.
Updated: Early Childhood: PK-3 (292) TExES Spring Exam Administration
Window Update & One Pager
Attached here is the Early Childhood: PK-3 (292) FAQ to address some common inquiries we have received from EPPs and candidates.
The May window for the Early Childhood: PK-3 TExES exam administration has been updated. Please see the updated administration and score report dates below.
*Note: All 2018-2021 Early Childhood Certification Support grantees should ensure candidates test by the 5/17/2021 - 5/30/2021 window, as communicated in previous direct communication.
Updated: PAIL (268) Training: Performance Data to Inform Practice: Registration Now Available
Please save the date for an upcoming PAIL training, during which participants will analyze trends in PAIL candidate performance data across the state, unpack priority competencies, and identify and share practice-based best practices to develop those competencies in aspiring school leaders. The training is scheduled for May 13, 2021, at 1:00-3:00 pm CST. Please register here.
Updated: Special Education Standards Overview: Registration Now Available
Please save the date for a Special Education Standards Overview training, during which we will deeply engage with the new special education standards for EC-6 and 6-12. We look forward to this collaborative opportunity on May 5, 2021, from 1:00-2:30 pm CST. Please register here.
Representative Exams Now Available The following three new Representative Examinations are now available for purchase.
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Science of Teaching Reading (293)
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Early Childhood: PK-3 (292)
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Educational Diagnostician (253)
Representative Examinations are used at SBEC-approved EPPs throughout Texas and are designed exclusively to assist staff in measuring candidates' knowledge and skills in relation to the approved TExES exam frameworks.
To order a Representative Examination, authorized representatives from SBEC-approved EPPs can send a request for an order form to estestvoucher@pearson.com.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Teacher Certification Redesign page includes information about content assessments that will be updated. Information will be provided on this page regarding last operational and certificate submission dates. Any amendments will be made on the site.
Educator Certification Payment Issue
During a recent system error, ECOS improperly issued certificates to candidates without receiving payment. The candidates submitted payment information, but payments were not processed, and candidates were not charged.
Educators and EPP candidates who were issued certificates during the time period of
March 28 - April 6, 2021 have been notified via email that, per 19 TAC §230.99(c), they have 60 calendar days from the date of the notification to resubmit online payment, or the certificate will be placed on inactive status. While the certificate is inactive, the educator or EPP candidate will be ineligible for employment in a Texas school district. The certificate will return to active status upon receipt of full payment of all applicable fees.
If your EPP did not receive an email related to this issue, TEA did not identify that any of your candidates were impacted. EPPs will not need to re-recommend certificates that previously issued incorrectly. Additionally, certificates that have been recommended by EPPs but have not issued for a variety of reasons will not issue until the candidates submit the required fees. TEA will continue to reach out with direct emails as appropriate with regard to this ongoing situation.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
The next SBEC meeting will be held this Friday, April 30th, beginning at 8:30 AM. The full agenda for the SBEC meeting can be found here and the live stream of the meeting can be accessed here.
The 87th Legislature Regular Session gaveled in on January 12, 2021. For your reference, here is information on the House Committee on Public Education and the Senate Committee on Education.
Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: My EPP found an error in reporting for the 2019-2020 academic year. Is the new
Request for Correction (RFC) data fix form available for my EPP to use to request a data fix for a closed reporting year?
A: Yes, there is a new RFC data fix form for EPPs to use when submitting data fixes to TEA via the Help Desk. Please contact your assigned Education Specialist if you need a copy of the updated form.
Q: My EPP is seeking Quality Matters (QM) certification per 19 TAC §228.35(a)(6)(A-D) for online coursework offered. How will we know that we are fully QM certified?
A: There are three levels of QM certification. They are Candidacy, Applying for Program Certification for Program Design & Teaching Support, and Certification. The process takes three years to become certified and it is not an indefinite process. Year one is candidacy
and is your commitment to go through the process. Year two is the application process
and that is when the program participates in professional development for online coursework and online teaching. Year three is certification. Currently a few EPPs have reached out to QM, but no one is in process of QM certification. If you have questions related to QM certification for online coursework offered by your EPP, please contact Melissa Poole at mpoole@qualitymatters.org. As TEA staff conducts EPP Reviews, if you are seeking QM certification, staff will be looking for evidence that your program is at level one, two, or three.
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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