September 21, 2021: Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter

Texas Education Agency sent this bulletin at 09/21/2021 09:17 AM CDT
Texas Education Agency

September 21, 2021

Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter
CTE teacher

Welcome

“I guess I just wanted to say that after all these years I never forgot you” - Steve Burns 

This past week Steve Burns (former Steve from Blue's Clues) shared a surprise apology for all his fans and provided closure that no one knew that they needed. Once again, Steve was able to teach the world an important lesson. No matter how long, or short, you are in someone's life, you being there made a difference. Even if you do not think you are making an impact, you may never know just how much you have touched someone’s life. Educators never stop working and sometimes we all need a reminder that we are making a difference. 

Our goal is for the newsletter to serve 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.   

If you are not currently subscribed to the newsletter, please sign up at the link below.
Educator Preparation Program Listserv Registration  

Upcoming Events

Event: Certification Officer Training
(2-day virtual training)
Description: The Certification Officer training is for EPP staff who serve in the Certification Officer role, EPP staff who report candidate data to ECOS, or those who would like to learn more about the responsibilities of the Certification Officer. 
Event Date: Thursday & Friday, September 23 – 24, 2021 
Event Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Event: ELAR 4-8 Preparation Manual CRI Deep Dive Webinar (Option 1) *This webinar is being offered twice  
Description: This webinar will closely examine examples of constructed response items on the redesigned English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 Exam (217).
Event Date: Monday, September 27 (Join here) 
Registration is not required. 
Event Time: 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. CST 

Event: ELAR 4-8 Preparation Manual CRI Deep Dive Webinar (Option 2) *This webinar is being offered twice  
Description: This webinar will closely examine examples of constructed response items on the redesigned English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 Exam (217).
Event Date: Thursday, September 30 (Join here)
Registration is not required. 
Event Time: 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. CST 

Event: ELAR 7-12 Redesigned Exam (331) Framework Overview Webinar 
Description: This webinar will guide participants through the redesigned English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 Redesigned Exam (331) Framework.
UPDATED - Event Date: Thursday, October 21 (Join here) Registration is not required.  
Event Date: 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Upcoming Deadlines

Topic: Waiver Probationary (WPRO) or Waiver Intern (WINT) Certificate - IMPORTANT
Action Item: Provide test approval, as appropriate, to WPRO and WINT candidates. Actively communicate with WPRO/WINT candidates and LEA partners about requirements and next steps.  
Due Date: Before the WPRO or WINT certificate expires.

Topic: 2020-2021 ASEP Reporting Affidavit
Action Item: Submit the EPP’s 2020 - 2021 ASEP Reporting Affidavit to Preparation Programs in Help Desk. 
Due Date: Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 by 5:00 p.m.  

Table Of Contents

EPP Points of Contact

Your best source for information and support at the TEA.   

As an EPP, 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.   

Educator Preparation Program Support

Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management  

New: 2020-2021 ASEP Reporting Affidavit  
As of the September 15, 2021, the 2020-2021 ASEP reporting year is officially closed! The last item that is required to be submitted for ASEP reporting is the ASEP reporting affidavit. This can be found on TEA’s Program Provider Resources page under Forms and Documents. Submit the electronically signed affidavit to Preparation Programs in Help Desk by September 22, 2021 by 5:00 p.m.  

2021 –2022 Continuing Approval Reviews  
Fall football season is not the only thing that has kicked-off recently. The TEA Educator Preparation team is about to kick-off the 2021-2022 EPP Review Season! This is a reminder to all EPPs being reviewed in 2021-2022. The first four EPP Reviews begin October 4, 2021. The Status Reports for each are due two weeks prior to that date on September 20, 2021, by 5 PM CST. TEA will send candidate lists on that same date for those EPPs. If you have not identified your highest impact, lowest performing STR certificate field, please do so now so that TEA can send you the applicable alignment charts. TEA will not remind any other EPPs in the newsletter of due dates. Please check your official notification letter for your due dates and contact your Assigned Review Education Specialist for any questions that you may have. 

EPP-facing Dashboard Update 
Several months ago, TEA entered the planning phase for new EPP-facing dashboards which will be available at no cost to all EPPs. We are currently working with a small group of EPPs to develop initial visualizations based on essential questions that will inform this ongoing work. In the coming weeks, we plan to host a webinar to provide a detailed update to the field on this work.  We will reach out to those who responded to the previous newsletter call in May. If you did not respond previously but would like to take part in this meaningful conversation, please email Kacy.Williams@tea.texas.gov. 

Be sure to check the newsletter for monthly updates about the dashboard project. 

Educator Standards and Testing

Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing   

New: ELAR: 4-8 (217) TExES Exam Preparation Manual and CRI Webinar 
The Preparation Manual for English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 (217) is now available on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website. On Monday, September 27th or Thursday September 30th, please join us for a deep dive into the preparation manual constructed response items (CRIs). Participants will have an opportunity to closely examine examples of the exam’s CRIs and the appropriate approaches. Please see the date, time, and link information in the Events section above. 

DID YOU KNOW?  
The period from January 1, 2022, to September 4, 2022, is an introductory period for the 217 exam, during which candidates will receive a Passed/Not Passed status on score reports. Score reports will include the number of selected-response questions answered correctly out of the total number of questions, by competency. Beginning September 5, 2022, candidates will receive a scaled score between 100-300, with a passing score of 240. 

FAQs

Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.  

Q: How does an EPP update their information on the EPP interactive map? 
A: Submit the request to the EPP’s assigned Education Specialist in writing detailing the change (ex: new EPP website). TEA only knows when to update map information when the EPP notifies their specialist. The map is updated quarterly so updates may take some time to appear.  

The next update will occur in October. If the EPP’s map information needs to be updated, please submit the written request to your assigned Education Specialist via Preparation Programs in Help Desk as soon as possible. If the request is not received in time, the update will not occur until the next quarter.  

Q: Where can I find previous EPP newsletters? 
A: You can find previous EPP newsletters on the Texas Educator Preparation Program Weekly Newsletters webpage. TEA updates this weekly. You can find the link on the Program Provider Resources page. We hope you find the webpage of archived newsletters a helpful resource! 

TEA Updates

Additional updates on initiatives and opportunities from the TEA.  

Star

TEA is Hiring!

The EPCE Department Manager is a new role that will coordinate activities for the Educator Preparation, Certification and Enforcement Department at TEA including project management, stakeholder engagement, and executive-level administrative support for the EPCE Associate Commissioner. 

Please click on this link for more details:
https://bit.ly/3t0zc64.

For More Information...

Information regarding educator certification testing can be accessed at the Texas Educator Certification Exam website.   

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.   

To view previous editions of the weekly newsletter, please see the Texas Educator Preparation Program Weekly Newsletter webpage.  

Practice based preparation resources for virtual field-based experience: Provides model lessons and video of instructional delivery.  

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 

Full scope and sequence of upcoming edTPA training opportunities.   

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