Introduction
“I think it’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better.” Elon Musk
The mindset of continuous improvement means that feedback is always welcome. Feedback is one way to improve practices as well as provide a voice to stakeholders.
Although it is important to look internally at one’s structure and strategies, it is helpful to hear from others. Our hope is that this newsletter serves as a support 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 urge you to also complete the Educator Preparation Program Weekly Newsletter Feedback Survey. Please see details below.
Educator Preparation Program Weekly Newsletter Feedback Survey (Spring 2021)
With a focus on continuous improvement, our team has developed a survey to gather feedback from EPP faculty and staff on their experience with the EPP Weekly Newsletter in order to refine communication supports and processes going forward. Your perspective and feedback are greatly appreciated.
The survey is anonymous and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Click here to provide us your feedback.
| Topic |
Description |
Event Date |
Event Time |
| 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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May 13, 2021
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1:00-4:00 pm CST
Register Here
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TExES Exam in Focus: Educational Diagnostician (253)
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An in-depth look into the structure, content, and scoring of the newly launched exam.
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May 18, 2021
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edTPA 101
Webinar
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Participants will be provided with an overview of the purpose, development, and design of edTPA.
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May 19, 2021
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edTPA Supporting Candidates during Instruction and Implementation
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Participants will engage in learning where session facilitators identify strategies when supporting candidates during instruction and implementation.
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May 20, 2021
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ELAR 4-8 (217): Exam Framework Overview
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Participants will examine the framework for the redesigned ELAR 4-8 (217) content exam.
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June 3, 2021 |
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| Topic |
Action Item |
Due Date |
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Educator Preparation Weekly Newsletter Feedback Survey (Optional)
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Help us to improve our newsletter communication:
Survey Link
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Complete by 5/25/21
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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.
|
Complete by
June 15, 2021
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
New:
TEA is developing data dashboards for Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) across Texas. These online dashboards will be constructed with user-friendly access to actionable data about EPP programs and candidates. This data will help EPPs make program adjustments so they can more effectively train teachers. The ultimate goal is to ensure Texas teachers are classroom ready to inspire and serve all students from day one.
To that end, TEA is launching a new phase of research to learn directly from EPPs what should be included in these dashboards. Through this outreach, TEA will engage a diverse group of EPPs drawn from the wide variety of programs in the state. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Kacy.Williams@tea.texas.gov. Watch for more information on the program in the coming months.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: Special Education Standards Overview
Thank you to all programs who attended the Special Education Standards Overview on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. We enjoyed the opportunity to engage with you and look forward to future collaboration and learning. If you have not yet completed the survey, please do so, as your questions and resource needs are important. We have gathered
your questions so far and are producing a Special Education Certification Redesign FAQ to be shared alongside the training materials in an upcoming newsletter.
ELAR 4-8 (217): Save the Date: Exam Framework Overview
Join us for an ELAR 4-8 (217) exam framework overview on June 3, 2021, from 1:00-2:30 pm CST. The overview will provide participants with the opportunity to unpack the framework’s priority competencies to illuminate the knowledge, skills and mindsets that are most critical to develop in novice ELAR teachers during preservice preparation.
ELAR 4-8 (217): Pilot Testing
Pearson is currently conducting pilot testing for the redeveloped English Language Arts and Reading: Grades 4-8 exam. Pilot testing is available at Pearson VUE test centers throughout Texas now through May 24.
Registration is currently open at: https://home.pearsonvue.com/espilot
Pilot testing is an important step in the development of TExES certification exams. It is intended to collect information on the performance of exam questions to be used at future exam administrations. 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.
2021-2022 PASL Assessment Schedule
The PASL Assessment Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 dates have been posted on the ETS website – see links below.
Each year, ETS updates its website for the upcoming academic year. The updates will be published on Monday, July 19, 2021.
DID YOU KNOW?
Authorized users will have access to candidates' exam results through the Pearson score reporting website edReports. Once logged in to the website, users will use
ResultsAnalyzer® to view reports and generate custom reports that include up-to-date results.
DID YOU KNOW? [EDTPA EDITION]
All Texas programs are invited to learn with the edTPA community. Each month Texas’s
edTPA partners, Pearson and SCALE, offer development opportunities for all Texas programs. This month, if you are interested in learning more about how edTPA
supports teacher candidates during instruction and implementation, or if you are interested in learning more about edTPA in general, be sure to register for the webinars listed in the “Upcoming Events” section of the newsletter. Hope to see you there!
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 State Board for Educator Certification met on Friday, April 30th. The full agenda for the SBEC meeting can be found here and the recording of the meeting can be
accessed here. The Board approved rule reviews of 19 TAC Chapter 231 and 245 and approved proposed reviews of 19 TAC Chapter 227 and 228. The Board also
discussed 19 TAC Chapter 229 and received updated related to test development and the edTPA pilot.
Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: Can TEA provide clarification on the prior coursework, training, and education TAC rule (19 TAC §228.35(a)(5)(A)-(B))? What are the parameters for accepting prior coursework that is more than 5 years old?
A: If the candidate is continuously enrolled in the EPP (listed as Other Enrolled from admission – present), the EPP could accept prior coursework if older than 5 years that was taken through the same EPP. If the candidate is no longer identified as Other Enrolled, then the EPP would only be able to accept coursework taken within the last 5 years (given that it is directly related to the certificate sought and provided by an approved EPP or accredited IHE).
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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