“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.” - Sundar Pichai
In a world that is full of innovation and constantly improving, we as educators must also challenge our way of thinking so we too may grow. To do this, we must embrace
continuous improvement through engagement with a variety of voices and perspectives.
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.
| Topic |
Description |
Event Date |
Event Time |
ResultsAnalyzer®
Webinar |
Pearson is hosting three upcoming webinars focused on ResultsAnalyzer® and recently launched exams in the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program.
|
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
1:00-2:30 p.m.
|
ASEP Webinar
|
TEA will provide information and guidance about reporting 2020-2021 data. |
|
|
Continuing Approval Review
Webinar
(for EPPs
reviewed in 21-22 academic year)
|
TEA will provide
guidance to educator preparation program staff that are preparing for a 5-year continuing approval review in 2021-2022. |
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
(link will be
provided in
review notification
packet)
|
|
| Topic |
Action Item |
Due Date |
Waiver Probationary (WPRO) or Waiver Intern (WINT)
Certificate
|
Provide test approval, as appropriate, to WPRO and WINT candidates.
Actively communicate with WPRO/WINT candidates and LEA partners about
requirements and next steps.
|
Before the WPRO or WINT certificate expires
|
Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
New: Countdown to ASEP Reporting: ASEP Action of the Week
To assist EPPs with completing ASEP Reporting with ease, we have developed weekly reminders for those staff working on ASEP Reporting at each EPP. Each week, you will receive a reminder in the Newsletter about a timely task to complete to get your EPP successfully to the finish line on September 15th. The goal is for your EPP to arrive at ASEP Reporting time with very little left to do as you complete reports for 2020-2021.
Week 1: Know your assigned Education Specialist. This is the person that you will need to reach out to when you have questions about ASEP Reporting. Your Education Specialist is one of four staff members:
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Vanessa Alba
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Lorrie Ayers
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Emily Carrizalez
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Angela Von Hatten
Utilize the Help Desk for all questions related to ASEP Reporting. Your Education Specialist will address your questions in the Help Desk. We are in the Help Desk under the Educator Testing and Preparation Programs Help Desk icon.
New: ASEP webinar
Make plans to attend the Reporting Data for 2020-2021 webinar on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, to find out details about annual data to be reported to TEA on September 15th. You can find the registration link in the Upcoming Events section in the Event Date column.
New: 2021-2022 Continuing Approval Review webinar
EPPs scheduled to participate in the 2021-2022 5-year continuing approval review process are invited to attend the 2021-2022 Continuing Approval Review webinar on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. Those attending will receive guidance on the review process, what to expect, and how to prepare for your upcoming review. The registration link will be provided in the EPP’s continuing approval notification packet. The notification packets will be sent to EPPs who are scheduled for a 2021-2022 continuing approval review during the week of August 9th.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: School Counselor (252): Exam Transition One-Pager
The new School Counselor (252) TExES exam will launch on September 6, 2021. Please see the School Counselor (252) Exam FAQ document that addresses timelines and other frequently asked questions related to the exam launch, program requirements, and candidate preparation resources.
DID YOU KNOW?
Registration is now open for the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL). Please have your candidates review the PASL submission window dates and deadlines to determine which submission window fits their schedule.
Updates related to Educator Certification
Updated: Important 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 actively communicate with WINT and WPRO candidates to remind them of these requirements well in advance of their certificate’s expiration date. In addition, TEA encourages all programs to be responsive in providing test approval, as appropriate, to WPRO and WINT candidates.
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 were also notified of and received the candidate communication at that time. TEA encourages all programs to continue to actively
communicate with candidates and LEA partners to ensure all parties understand their respective requirements and next steps.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
New: SBEC Meeting on Friday, July 23, 2021
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) will meet on July 23, 2021. The agenda for this meeting has been posted on the agenda webpage.
When possible, we present updates and shared practices from EPPs around Texas. If you information you would like to share in this space, please reach out to your education specialist.
New: edTPA spotlight
This week we would like to spotlight edTPA Pilot program coordinators Dr. Criselda
Garcia (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) and Dr. Beverly Sande (Prairie View A&M University) for their teamwork and facilitation during this month’s Equity Features of edTPA Webinar. Both Dr. Garcia and Dr. Sande shared helpful tips, strategies, and considerations centering how their institutions work to support teacher candidates through an equitable lens and in alignment with edTPA implementation.
Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: Our EPP is getting a new legal authority (LA) and/or backup legal authority (BULA) this summer. When should we make the change and what do we need to do to make those changes?
A: Many EPPs change staff over the summer, and TEA needs to update the contact information as soon as those changes occur. As soon as you know that you have a new LA or BULA, you will need to request the Change in Legal Authority Template Letter from your assigned Education Specialist. Once the completed document is received at TEA, staff will update the Business Partner Directory (BPD) with the new information and send you an email that the task is complete.
Q: I have a candidate who has two TEAL accounts. What am I supposed to do when that happens?
A: If the EPP discovers that a candidate has created two TEAL accounts, request that the candidate submit a Help Desk ticket to TEAL Access for assistance.
Your best source for information and support at the TEA.
As an Educator Preparation Program, your main point of contact is your Education
Specialist.
-
To view a list of EPPs and their associated Education Specialist, please click here.
-
For easiest assistance, file a HelpDesk Ticket.
Additional updates on initiatives and opportunities from the TEA.
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.
Resources at a Glance...
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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.
Texas TLAC One Pager for EPPs
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Full scope and sequence of upcoming edTPA training opportunities.
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