“What happened yesterday is history. What happens tomorrow is a mystery. What we do today makes a difference.” -Nick Saban
Living in the present is one of the most difficult tasks at times. It is so easy to get stuck dwelling on the past. Past mistakes, past missteps, traditions that are in place only because “that’s what always has been done”. At the same time, nobody is able to predict the future. As much as we prepare and plan, each day brings new challenges that
potentially catch us off guard. However, we can take solace in the fact that what we do today is going to make a difference and have a lasting impact. I challenge you to live in the moment and strive to make a change daily!
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.
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Description |
Event Date |
Event Time |
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Academic Language in edTPA: Supporting Learning and Language Development
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This workshop is intended for faculty, instructors, supervisors, and school partners who support teacher candidates. In this workshop, a member of the edTPA National Academy will provide participants with an overview of academic language and demonstrate how academic language is an integral construct in edTPA through the lens of equitable instructional practices. |
June 25th, 2021
(Register Here)
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ResultsAnalyzer®
Webinar |
Pearson is hosting three upcoming webinars focused on ResultsAnalyzer® and recently launched exams in the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
1:00-2:30 p.m.
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| Topic |
Action Item |
Due Date |
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
New: TExES Certification Exam Updates – What are EPPs required to do?
The updated School Counselor and Trade and Industrial PPR exams will launch in September 2021 and updated ELAR 4-8 and ELAR 7-12 exams in January 2022 and September 2023 respectively. The implementation of these updated certification exams does not impact the names of the associated certificates themselves. This means that
EPPs do not have to reapply to offer these certification fields when the updated certification exams go into effect. EPPs are required, though, to ensure that their curriculum is aligned with the updated test frameworks. TEA will verify updated coursework during the EPP’s next continuing approval review.
EPPs are required to apply to offer new certificates, including certificates with updated names and/or grade levels that replace old certificates for which the program is currently approved. Please see 19 TAC §228.10(d) for rules regarding additions of certificate categories and classes.
2021- 2022 Coursework Delivery Clarification
We would like to provide clarification on the coursework delivery information initially presented in May 18th's EPP newsletter.
For the 2020-2021 academic year, EPPs who were initially offering face-to-face instruction were able to move to a virtual instruction setting due to COVID. Since 19 TAC §228.1(e) is applicable to only the 2020-2021 academic year, programs that plan to provide face-to-face instruction virtually, for 2021-2022, will be required to meet (or work towards meeting) the online quality assurance requirement found in 19 TAC §228.35(a)(6).
If the program chooses to provide coursework virtually, TEA will look for evidence of the EPP making progress towards the online quality assurance requirement during the program’s next 5-year continuing approval review. The EPP is also required to submit a program amendment letter to TEA when changing the delivery of coursework from face-to-face to virtual settings. It is up to the program to determine how to provide coursework to candidates. Similar to K-12, face-to-face classes occur in-person and virtual classes are provided on an online platform. TEA considers Zoom an online platform. By meeting (or making progress towards meeting) the quality assurance TAC requirement, the EPP can ensure that online platforms are accessible to all candidates.
ASEP Observation Bulk Upload – Helpful Tip!
With the recent switch to a new ECOS server, apostrophes that are a part of educator or field supervisor names can generate an error during observation uploads. The server recognizes the apostrophe as a command and does not allow the upload to go through, though all observation upload information is correct.
For example, if you are uploading observations for a candidate with the last name O’Brien, the apostrophe in the candidate’s last name will generate an error. For observation purposes, the candidate’s last name should be entered as “OBrien”.
Please contact your assigned program specialist or submit a Help Desk ticket to Data Reporting for assistance.
ECOS Updates
The June release of ECOS updates, scheduled for June 24, will have some exciting updates for reporting observation data. The goal of these updates is to make it easier to report observations and to correct an issue in the system that restricted the reporting of observations in July and August. Below is a high-level summary of the upcoming changes; we will also include information about these updates in an updated Technical Manual and at our annual ASEP webinar in August. Here are the updates:
Observation Assignment Types
The assignment types have been simplified, which means fewer and broader assignment types. For example, the INT assignment type will be used to upload observations for any teacher candidate holding an Intern certificate. The NONTCH assignment type will be used to upload all nonteacher practicum observations whether or not the candidate held an intern or probationary certificate while completing the practicum. Please note, you do not need to go back and edit existing observation records.
The document linked here provides the new assignment types to use when reporting observations, starting after June 24. Users will find a link in the Upload Observations screen that will take them to this page with expanded detail about the assignment types, including a summary of the minimum number of required observations for each assignment type. Again, you do not need to go back and edit records that you have already entered. However, you will need to use the new assignment types in your reporting beginning on June 24.
An updated Technical Manual will also be posted at that time reflecting the changes.
Summer Observation Data Validation Update
The 7/1 date for identifying the start of a new year for observation uploads has been updated to align with the reporting year start date of 9/1. This means if any observations are completed on dates in the summer between 7/1 and 8/31, they can now be uploaded in the current year. Please remember to always report observations in the reporting year in which they occur.
Admission Record Update
Starting after June 24, EPPs will be able to update the editable fields in existing admission records using the Upload Admissions feature in ASEP. Previously, editing the admission record was only accomplished manually. More information will be included in the updated Technical Manual.
Please direct questions about these updates to the Program Specialist assigned to work with the EPP.
Again, these changes are scheduled to be live as of June 24. This scheduling is deliberate, as these changes should reduce the number of observation records that are rejected due to validation errors.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: Texas Educator Certification Examination Program: ResultsAnalyzer® Webinars
To support EPP faculty and staff’s ongoing access to and understanding of testing data, Pearson is hosting three upcoming webinars focused on ResultsAnalyzer® and recently launched exams in the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program.
These 90-minute intermediate-level sessions assume participants already have basic familiarity with the three primary data streams and the filter and data export features in ResultsAnalyzer®.
Each of the three sessions will be delivered live (not recorded) and cover the same content. Time will be reserved for Q&A.
Please note registration is required in advance. To register, click on one or more of the links below. The sessions are identical, but you are welcome to register for and attend more than one.
ELAR 4-8 Framework Overview
Thank you to all of you who joined us for the ELAR 4-8 Test Framework webinar last Thursday, June 3rd. We appreciated the opportunity to review the exam framework and collaboratively discuss the critical candidate knowledge and skills exemplified in the framework. Please view/download the pdf version of the webinar slide deck here.
DID YOU KNOW?
The TExES Interactive Practice Exams are designed to simulate the actual testing experience. They can be submitted for scoring once per purchase. The exam and the results will be available for review until the end of the 120-day subscription period for that purchase. There is one version of each Interactive Practice Exam available. For more information, please visit this website.
Reminder to Candidates Currently on a WPRO or WINT Certificate to Complete Testing Requirements
Candidates who were issued a waiver probationary (WPRO) or waiver intern (WINT) certificate, under the Governor’s waiver of certification exam requirements in Spring and Summer 2020, will need to complete all testing requirements before the certificate expires.
Since the validity of the WINT and WPRO certificates cannot be extended, TEA encourages all programs to proactively communicate with WINT and WPRO candidates to remind them of these requirements well in advance of their certificate’s expiration date. As a reminder, WPRO candidates must meet requirements for standard certification. In addition, candidates are allowed one 12-month intern certificate (which the WINT certificate takes place of) and two 12-month probationary certificates for a total of 3 years to work on preliminary certificates.
The attached communication was directly emailed to candidates on a WPRO certificate on March 5, 2021. District-level leadership has also been notified of and received the candidate communication.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
The 87th Legislature Regular Session gaveled in on January 12, 2021 and closed on May 31, 2021. Please reference this section of the newsletter in the coming weeks for additional information on legislation relating to educator preparation.
Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: Why is my candidate unable to register for their approved exam on the Pearson website?
A: Please have your candidate sign into ECOS to confirm their demographic information before attempting to go to the Pearson website to register. If they are still unable to register, then please ask them to submit a Help Desk Ticket to Educator Testing.
Q: When does the ELAR 4-8 (217) exam launch?
A: The 217 ELAR 4-8 TExES exam is scheduled to launch January 1, 2022, with a first score reporting date of January 21, 2022.
Your best source for information and support at the TEA
As an Educator Preparation Program, your main point of contact is your Program Specialist.
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To view a list of EPPs and their associated Program Specialist, please click here.
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For easiest assistance, file a HelpDesk Ticket.
TEA is Hiring!
The TEA’s Department of Educator Preparation, Certification, and Enforcement (EPCE) is seeking to hire an experienced and highly effective staff members for the following roles:
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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