October 27, 2021: Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter

Texas Education Agency

October 27, 2021

Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter

CTE teacher

Welcome

“Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it... yet.”  - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables- 

May this serve as a reminder that no matter how difficult today has been, or how many mistakes we may make throughout the day, that tomorrow is a new day. We live each day to the best of our abilities, knowing that tomorrow always brings a new beginning.  

Our goal is for this 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

New Event: edTPA Curriculum Inquiry 
Event Description: In this collaborative workshop, a member of the edTPA National Academy will provide opportunities for participants to review their programs’ scope and sequence and course syllabi to identify areas in which the constructs, measured by edTPA, are already embedded and could naturally be embedded. 
Event Date: November 12, 2021 Register Here 
Event Time: 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. 

New Event: edTPA 101: Orientation to Performance-Based, Subject-Specific Assessment 
Event Description: In this webinar, participants will be provided with an overview of the purpose, development, and design of edTPA. Additionally, participants will examine what candidates provide as evidence for each of the edTPA tasks, engage in a review of the scoring process, and learn how to access key resources. 
Event Date: November 17, 2021 Register here 
Event Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. 

New Event: Tools for edTPA Data Analysis
Event Description:
 In this webinar, a Pearson representative will provide an overview and demonstration of the ResultsAnalyzer® interactive reporting tool for edTPAResultsAnalyzer® is the web-based application that allows score reporting contacts the opportunity to review and analyze assessment data.
Event Date: 
November 18, 2021 Register here 
Event Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.


Upcoming Deadlines

Topic: ASEP Technology Fee
Action Item: 
Submit payment of fee, per invoice
Due Date: 
November 16, 2021

Topic: Test-Limit Waiver
Action Item: 
Last date to submit waiver applications for Core Subjects EC-6 (291) & ELAR 4-8 (117) - if applicable for the candidate 
Due Date: December 1, 2021

Topic: Last Administration Date for TExES #117 & TExES #291 Exams
Action Item: 
Share deadline information with candidates and encourage early exam registration. 
Due Date: Last administered December 31, 2021


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

Innovative EPP Commendation Call  
In October of 2019, the SBEC approved a framework and procedures for determining EPP Commendations. Commendation Category 4, the Innovative Educator Preparation category, gives the SBEC the opportunity to designate EPPs that have implemented innovative approaches in a defined area of emphasis.  

For 2020-2021, the SBEC seeks to recognize EPPs that engage in comprehensive partnerships with LEAs to support district-specific needs in one or more of the following areas:   

  • supporting districts and mentor teachers through the pandemic,   
  • ​accelerating learning in response to COVID-related learning loss,   
  • addressing staffing challenges, and   
  • implementing best practices that emerged from EPP and/or district responses to the COVID pandemic.   

The call for applications can be found at the link andon the Program Provider Resources page. EPPs must respond to the call by December 1, 2021 with a complete set of materials to be eligible for recognition. The TEA reviews applications for topic alignment and completeness. Complete and appropriate applications are reviewed by an SBEC committee which recommends EPPs to the full SBEC for approval of the commendation. Recognition is awarded at the discretion of the committee and the SBEC.   

EPP ASEP Fee Invoices 
On Friday, 10/15, TEA distributed invoices for the ASEP Technology Fee for 2020-2021 to EPPs. This fee is assessed for each candidate who was admitted to your educator preparation program during the 2020-2021 academic year. The number of candidates is taken from the number of individuals reported as admitted by your educator preparation program in ECOS 

The invoice included payment information, including information about how to pay using ACH or how to submit a payment by mail. Credit cards are not accepted.  

TEA sent invoices to the EPP Legal Authority. Payment is due 30 days after receipt. Additional information about the ASEP Technology Fee is located in 19 TAC §229.9. 

Educator Standards and Testing

Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing   

ELAR 4-8 (217): Open Registration 
Registration for the redeveloped English Language Arts and Reading 4–8 (217) exam is now open for testing beginning January 1, 2022. Approval has been uploaded for those programs already approved for ELAR 4-8. Please make sure to give your candidates the correct exam approval.  

Please see the informational one-pager that addresses timelines and other frequently asked questions related to the exam launch, program requirements, and candidate preparation resources. Review the Required Texas Certification Test Chart for the last date the ELAR 4-8 (117) can be used for certification.    

ETS Seeking Constructed Response Scorers for PASL 
ETS invites school leaders and preparation faculty to participate in the online scoring of the ETS® Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL). This is an excellent opportunity for school leaders and preparation program faculty to become more familiar with this certification exam. Professionals who meet the criteria listed here are eligible to be scoring professionals (raters) for the PASL assessment.   

DID YOU KNOW? 
Candidates can now upload their Test-Limit Waiver application online. Please have them review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document  for answers to common questions. 

Program Spotlight

When possible, we present updates and shared practices from EPPs around Texas. If you have information you would like to share in this space, please reach out to your education specialist.

New: Texas Tech University's Listening Tour  
TTU’s teacher preparation program is fully-scaled teacher residency program, providing all teacher candidates with a yearlong clinical teaching experience with a quality mentor teacher. Teacher candidates benefit from a cohort model during both their junior and senior years. On October 11 and 12, the TEA Teacher Residency team had the opportunity to visit TTU’s teacher residency program alongside several members of the US Prep team and ESC leaders who will support LEAs to implement high-quality, sustainable residencies through innovative staffing design work. The visitors were graciously hosted by TTU’s Site Coordinators, Professional Development Facilitators, and their district partners who welcomed us to their campuses. The team had the opportunity to observe methods courses, mentor training opportunities, and additional direct supports for teacher candidate development. Thank you, TTU, for sharing your teacher residency program in action with our team! 

FAQs

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

Q: Can I admit an applicant into my teacher preparation program if the applicant has already held two probationary certificates and a district permit? 
A: Yes, if the teacher preparation program is approved to offer clinical teaching to the individual because he/she would no longer qualify to complete an internship. 19 TAC §230.36(c)(4) and §230.37(c)(4) limit an individual to no more than three years in a classroom while holding any combination of Intern or Probationary certificates, one-year certificates, and emergency permits. 

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.   

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.  

Lesson Study Gateway Resources

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

Texas Teach Like a Champion (TLAC)   

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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