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Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter
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Welcome
“Rest and be thankful.” ― William Wordsworth
As we enter the season of thankfulness and holiday joy let’s be reminded to find time to rest and be thankful for the things that we have and fun memories that we were able to make. The past few years have been difficult for many but try and find at least one thing to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for each and every one of you that are working tirelessly to prepare future educators. I wish you all a restful holiday season.
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.
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Event: Certificate Correction, Deactivation/Reactivation, and Data Fix Webinar
Event Description: The purpose of this webinar is to review certificate correction, deactivation, reactivation, and data fix processes.
Event Date: Wednesday, December 1, 2021 Register Here
Event Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am CST
New Topic: Innovative EPP Commendation Call
Action Item: Submit complete application packet.
Due Date: December 1, 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
New Topic: Title II Data Collection Worksheet Submission
Action Item: Submit an accepted data collection worksheet to Pearson’s Title II portal.
Visit https://edreports.nesinc.com/TX to complete the upload process.
Due Date: December 3, 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
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Your best source for information and support at the TEA.
As an EPP, your main point of contact is your Education Specialist.
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To view a list of EPPs and their associated Education Specialist, please click here.
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For easiest assistance, file a HelpDesk Ticket.
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
New: Title II Deadline
As part of the 2020-2021 Title II data collection and reporting process, Pearson is scheduled to conduct a data exchange with other testing companies in early December. In order to include your institution’s data in the data exchange, you must submit an accepted data collection worksheet from your institution by no later than Friday, December 3, 2021.
Updated: ASEP Status Letters
TEA issued notification letters to inform all EPPs of their recommended accreditation statuses for the 2020-2021 academic year following the State Board of Education meeting. As a reminder, the State Board for Educator Certification approved rule changes that would provide a status of “Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster” for all EPPs for 2020-2021. The SBEC also stipulated that if an EPP that previously had a rating other than Accredited would have met the standard for Accredited in 2020-2021, any count of years on a status other than Accredited will be reset, and the EPP will be eligible for commendations this year. More information is available in the Proposed Amendments to Ch. 229 document.
The notification letters reflect the recommended status of Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster and provided relevant information about programs that previously had lowered statuses. Additionally, the letters contained the report-only ASEP data for the 2020-2021 academic year.
A few programs have helped us identify some lingering issues with small group data and certificate class pass rate status. We will issue updated data and letters to any impacted programs in the coming week. This will not impact the status of Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster.
Reminder: Innovative EPP Commendation Call Due Wednesday, December 1st
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:
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supporting districts and mentor teachers through the pandemic,
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accelerating learning in response to COVID-related learning loss,
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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 and on 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.
The FAQ document for the Innovative EPP Commendation Call provides responses to questions received from the field.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: Updated Pearson mask policy
Effective December 1, 2021, face masks are required at all company-owned Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) in the United States and United States Territories regardless of vaccination status per the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14042 and in compliance with CDC guidelines for areas with high or substantial community spread. Unvaccinated individuals are always required to wear masks and distance. Candidates who do not comply may forfeit their ability to take current and future exams. Pearson will not issue refunds to candidates who do not comply. More information on how the Executive Order affects your candidates can be found on the COVID-19 Update Page.
Special Education Exam Framework Public Comment Period through December 10th
Public comments are being requested through December 10, 2021, on the draft Special Education EC-6 Framework, which is based on the new Special Education Certificate Standards recently approved by the State Board for Educator Certification. The framework will help guide the test development process for the new Special Education EC-6 test. Comments may be sent to DeMarco Pitre.
DID YOU KNOW?
By the end of the year, a new edTPA website will be launched. On the new site, educator preparation programs and P-12 school partners may find information about edTPA; complete applications to become a member of the edTPA community; access assessment materials (e.g., subject-specific handbooks), etc. More information about the new site will be released within the coming weeks.
Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: How will TEA determine pass rate calculations for Core Subjects EC-6 with STR since both the TExES #291 & #391 exams can be used for that certificate?
A: Since these two exams fulfill the same requirement, for EPP accountability purposes, TEA will calculate one combined pass rate for the TExES #291 and #391 exams. We will treat them as the same exam, which means that that first two exam attempts on 291 and 391 combined will count towards the EPP’s test pass rate. If a candidate fails TExES #291 on the first attempt and then passes TExES #391, this counts as a second-attempt pass. If a candidate fails the TExES #291 exam twice and attempts the #391 exam, the candidate’s attempts on the #391 exam will not count towards the EPP’s test pass rate indicator since they already have a second attempt fail.
Q: What if we are not able to upload a candidate's admission records to ECOS within 7 days of formal admission due to a transfer form pending from another university to release the candidate?
A: To ensure the EPP is able to report a candidate’s admission within the required timeframe, the EPP can create an internal policy that requires the candidate to submit the transfer form (if applicable) as an admission requirement. This allows the EPP to gather the required admission documents prior to contingency or formal admission.
Information regarding the Science of Teaching Reading Exam can be accessed at tea.texas.gov/str.
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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Lesson Study Gateway Resources
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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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Texas Teach Like a Champion (TLAC)
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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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The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
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