Disney Encanto has taken over my social media pages and the song “Surface Pressure” has been linked in almost every post. I paused my daily work to stop, listen and then read the lyrics and did they hit me like a ton of bricks. This idea of being the strong one, always taking on the weight and problems of the world, only bending, and not breaking, being indestructible all the while dealing with the pressures of the world. Is that not education? Is that not the world that most educators are living in? We, as educators, continue to be a stronghold and take on increasingly more without thinking twice and rarely pushing back to ensure that the future of our society can thrive. Not only are we balancing all our own personal challenges but also those of our students, peers, and others. Making it look easy on the surface, knowing that it is like a circus on the inside. As we enter a new semester of teaching and learning, take time to reflect on all that you accomplish daily and that to someone, you are the reason they can continue.

New: New Year’s Resolution: Enter EPP Data into ECOS Throughout the Year 
With the start of a new year, the status of many of your candidates may have changed. For example, some candidates completed their clinical teaching or internship in the Fall semester and may now be Finishers. Now is a great time for EPP staff to review and update ECOS records for these candidates, ensuring that observation data has been entered and Finisher status has been updated where applicable. Keeping records updated throughout the year will save time at the end of the reporting year. 

New: Updated Education Specialist Assignment Chart 
TEA has updated the Education Specialist Assignments chart. The chart reflects the current TEA-approved educator preparation programs with the assigned TEA Education Specialist. The assignment chart can be found under the Forms and Documents 
section on TEA’s Program Provider Resources page.  

New: What’s Next for the TExES #291 Core Subjects EC-6 Exam?  
The TExES exam #291 is no longer available to testers but a passing score on the 
TExES #291 exam can be used for certification purposes until December 30, 2022. 
EPPs should now think about how to efficiently process candidates who may want to use the #291 exam for certification before the December 30, 2022 deadline. EPPs may want to set earlier deadlines for certificate recommendations and to monitor certificate issuance to help candidates meet issuance deadlines. Here are some thoughts from TEA staff:  

Finishers: EPPs should communicate with past and current finishers who have passed the #291 exam to ensure they are informed about the deadline of December 30, 2022 for using the exam for standard certification. Additionally, EPPs can sort and export their Finisher Records list and their Standard Certification Recommendation list in ECOS to help identify candidates who are Finishers and/or who have applied for certificates but have not yet been recommended. Candidates who are finishers or past finishers should be encouraged to apply and pay for standard certification, 
so that requirements can be verified, and certificates recommended by the program, in a timely fashion so that certificates issue on or before December 30, 2022.  

Internship: EPPs who have candidates completing internships while holding Intern or Probationary certificates issued with a #291 exam should evaluate if candidates will be able to complete all requirements to meet the December 30, 2022 deadline for Standard certificate issuance. EPPs should provide communication regarding this information to their candidates (if applicable). NOTE: Please remember 19 TAC §228.35(e)(2)(B)(ix) requires the candidate to receive a successful internship recommendation from the assigned field supervisor and campus administrator at the end of the internship.  

Clinical Teaching: EPPs who have candidates that have passed the #291 exam but are not on target to meet the December 30, 2022 deadline because they have not begun an internship may qualify to complete clinical teaching instead. EPPs who are approved to offer clinical teaching may consider exploring this option with qualified candidates. The clinical teaching duration requirement is a minimum of 14 weeks, so completing clinical teaching instead of an internship shortens the timeline for candidates to complete requirements which could help candidates meet the December 30, 2022 deadline.  

New: What’s Next for the TExES #117 ELAR 4-8 Exam?  
The TExES exam #117 is no longer available to testers but a passing score on the 
TExES #117 exam can be used for certification purposes until October 30, 2022. EPPs should now think about how to efficiently process candidates who may want to use the #117 exam for certification before the October 30, 2022 deadline. EPPs may want to set earlier deadlines for certificate recommendations and to monitor certificate issuance 
to help candidates meet issuance deadlines. Here are some thoughts from TEA staff:  

Finishers: EPPs should communicate with past and current finishers who have passed the #117 exam to ensure they are informed about the deadline of October 30, 2022 for using the exam for standard certification. Additionally, EPPs can sort and export their Finisher Records list and their Standard Certification Recommendation list in ECOS to help identify candidates who are Finishers and/or who have applied for certificates but have not yet been recommended. Candidates who are finishers or past finishers should be encouraged to apply and pay for standard certification, so that requirements can be verified, and certificates recommended by the program in a timely fashion so that certificates issue on or before October 30, 2022.  

Candidates Currently Completing Requirements: EPPs who have candidates working to complete requirements towards the ELAR 4-8 certificate should communicate 
deadlines with candidates so that requirements can be met, and certificates can be issued, by the October 30, 2022 deadline.  

If you have any questions about this information, contact your assigned Education Specialist for assistance. 

Q: We have a candidate that was admitted to our EPP, but also applied for the out-of-state/country review of credentials process. How do we handle this type of situation? 
A: An individual must choose one process or the other. If the individual holds the equivalent of a standard certificate in another state or country, they should complete the Review of Credentials process and do not need to be admitted to an EPP seeking initial certification. The EPP would need to remove the candidate from the EPP so that s/he can proceed with the review of credentials process. If the candidate wants to remain with the EPP, they will need to submit a Help Desk ticket to Certification to be removed from the review of credentials process. 

Q: Is it acceptable for candidates in our EPP to receive Dyslexia Training from any provider?  
A: Candidates in an EPP must have Dyslexia training that meets the requirements in 19 TAC §228.30(c)(2), as indicated in the Texas Education Code (TEC), §21.044(b). The instruction must:  

(1) be developed by a panel of experts in the diagnosis and treatment of dyslexia who are:  

(A) employed by institutions of higher education; and  
(B) approved by the board;  
and  

(2) include information on:  

(A) characteristics of dyslexia;  
(B) identification of dyslexia; and  
(C) effective, multisensory strategies for teaching students with dyslexia.  

As long as the dyslexia training meets those requirements, it is acceptable.