December 7, 2021: Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter

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Texas Education Agency

December 7, 2021

Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter

CTE teacher

Welcome

“Anything is always a possibility.  Wouldn’t talk about what we would have done or what we would do.  Everything is a possibility” - Jim Harbaugh 

This past weekend, college football fans watched as Jim Harbaugh led his team to do the impossible, becoming the first team in college football playoff history to make the top four teams, after starting the pre-season unranked. This was a huge feat and a strong example that we can do the impossible, if we have the mindset that anything is always a possibility. As we begin to close out this semester and prepare for the next, remember that we can do the seemingly impossible task. 

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 Deadlines

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

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 have issued updated data and letters to any impacted programs. This will not impact the status of Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster. 

Educator Standards and Testing

Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing   

Clarification: Core Subjects: EC-6 #291 and #391 test attempts 
In last week’s newsletter, in the FAQ section, we provided a description of how pass rates will be calculated at the EPP level to combine candidate attempts on tests 291 and 391 in ASEP calculations. Please note that, as communicated previously, tests 291 and 391 are separate tests for the purpose of test administration, and candidates can attempt each test up to 5 times. 

Reminder: ELAR 4-8 #217 Exam Launch January 1, 2022 
The redesigned ELAR 4-8 #217 exam launches January 1, 2022. The last day for candidates to take the ELAR 4-8 #117 exam will be December 31, 2021.  The last registration date will be December 29, 2021 with score reporting through January 2022. Please see the linked one-pager for more information.  

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. 

Public comments are being requested through December 10, 2021, on the draft Special Education 6-12 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 6-12 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. 

Updates about SBEC, Rules, and Legislation  

Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.   

New: The December SBEC meeting will be held this Friday, December 10th.  More information about the SBEC meeting, including the meeting agenda and access to view the meeting virtually, can be found on the SBEC webpage 

FAQs

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

Q: I could not attend the Certificate Correction and Deactivation and Reactivation Webinar on Wednesday 12/1. Is there a way I can still view the recording?  
A: The Certificate Correction and Deactivation and Reactivation Webinar is posted on the Program Provider Resources page under the EPP Training Events and Materials tab at the bottom of the page.  

Q: Does the Core Subjects 4-8 certification category require 15 content hours in math/science for admission or 12 hours collectively, like EC-6? 
A: Candidates are required to meet the content hour requirement collectively in the content subject areas for the Core Subjects certificate category. The subject areas that make up the Core Subjects certificate include English/Language Arts, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Fine Arts, and PE. 

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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