|
|
Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter
|
|
|
Welcome
"I don't believe you name a starter until the starter wins the team." - Nick Saban
Football season is finally here, and there are so many lessons we can learn from how coaches build a team, select their starters, and use the first few games to structure and re-structure their plans. One of the greatest lessons we can learn from football is that the strongest teams trust their leaders (i.e., starters), but leadership is earned. How many times have we seen a coach announce a starting line up only for it to look different when they come back from halftime because the team did not believe in some of the players on the field? The leaders (or starters) have to prove themselves to the team and that they are willing and capable of doing the work. In football, as well as in education, it is important to build trust. Trust in team, trust in coach (or instructor), and a trust in the process. As we approach the beginning of the academic year, I challenge you to take time to build trust in your faculty, staff, student, and other stakeholders so that you can move forward with a strong team!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
This webinar will provide information and guidance pertaining to submission of 2021-2022 data that is due September 15. Information in this webinar will be important for EPP staff engaged in the annual ASEP reporting process for the EPP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Introductory Passing Standard
(Below committee recommendation)
|
|
School Counselor Certification
|
Last day to apply and recommend for certification using #152
|
|
Trade & Industrial Education 6-12 Certification
|
Last day to apply and recommend for certification using #270
|
|
|
Last day to apply and recommend for certification using #117
|
|
|
Last day to apply and recommend for certification using #291
|
|
|
|
|
|
(At committee recommendation)
|
|
|
|
Your best source for information and support at the TEA.
As an Educator Preparation Program, your main point of contact is your Education Specialist.
-
Or, EPPs (and candidates) may call (512) 936-8400 and select Option #5: Educator Preparation Programs. If an Education Specialist is not available to answer the call at that time, please leave a voicemail. An Education Specialist will promptly return the call.
If EPPs (and candidates) would like to speak to a representative from another area(s), they may submit a Help Desk Ticket or contact (512) 936-8400 and select one of the options listed below.
-
Option 2: Educator Certification
-
Option 3: Fingerprinting
-
Option 6: Investigations
-
Option 8: General Office Information
|
|
|
Updates related to Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP) Reporting
To assist EPPs with completing ASEP Reporting with ease, we have developed weekly reminders for those staff working on ASEP Reporting at each EPP. Each week, you will receive a reminder in this EPP Newsletter that includes timely tasks to successfully complete reporting for 2021-22 by September 15.
Week 3 ASEP Task Reminders (3):
-
Update all finishers. Verify that all 2021-2022 finishers are correctly listed on the Finisher Record List (FRL) with a status of “Finisher” (F). If a finisher is on the FRL for certificate categories they are not finishing, please be sure to remove those certificate categories from the list for the candidate. You are able to download the “Other Enrolled” (OE) and F candidates in a spreadsheet in ECOS to easily see and verify all data to ensure that the F candidates are correctly identified as such.
-
Be sure to review the 2021-2022 ASEP Reporting Manual on the Program Provider Resources page. It is located under Forms and Documents. The manual and forms are helpful resources as they provide useful information needed to complete ASEP Reporting.
-
Register for the ASEP Reporting 2021-2022 webinar and place it on your calendar to ensure you are at the webinar. Be sure to invite anyone from your EPP that you believe needs to participate in the webinar.
Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
New: Virtual Observation Guidance for the 2022-2023 Academic Year The virtual field supervision rules the SBEC took action on at the February 2022 SBEC meeting become effective as of September 1, 2022 and will be applicable for the 2022-23 academic year and onward. The item (linked here) includes the updated rule related to virtual observations. NOTE: In all cases, candidates are still required to have some observations conducted in-person.
The chart below summarizes the number of observations that can be conducted virtually by teacher preparation route.
|
If EPPs Conduct Only In-Person Observations
|
If EPPs Conduct In-Person and Virtual Observations
|
Intern Certificate Holders
|
|
3 in-person and 2 virtually
|
28-Week Clinical Teaching
|
|
2 in-person and 2 virtually
|
-
Probationary Certificate Holders
-
14-Week Clinical Teaching
|
|
2 in-person and 2 virtually
|
The upcoming ASEP webinar will cover how these observations will be reported in ECOS.
New: Additional Updates to 19 TAC Ch 228, Effective September 1, 2022 Due to the upcoming implementation of updates in 19 TAC Chapter 228 that are effective September 1, 2022, we wanted to provide a reminder for EPPs to review these updates and make revisions to coursework and training as needed to meet the new requirements. The updates can be viewed in the February 2022 SBEC agenda item.
-
Provide training in virtual instruction and virtual learning [19 TAC §228.30(c)(8)]
-
Provide training on educating students with disabilities, which is now a component for approval [19 TAC §228.10(a)(1)(J) & §228.30(c)(9)]
New: Intern or Probationary Certificate Effective Date Guidance As EPPs prepare for the upcoming academic year, TEA wanted to provide guidance regarding effective dates for Intern and Probationary certificates.
It is best practice for the effective date of the Intern or Probationary certificate to be the first date of instruction with students in the internship assignment. This allows the candidate’s assigned field supervisor to be mindful of the initial contact and observation frequency requirements set in 19 TAC Chapter 228. TEA understands that some districts and school boards may require the candidate to have an effective date on the certificate that is prior to the start of the school year. If this happens, the candidate’s EPP will need to work with the assigned field supervisor to track the date for initial contact and the observation frequency schedule to align with TAC requirements. TEA encourages EPPs and districts to work together to determine the effective date of the Intern or Probationary certificate that aligns with TAC requirements.
It should be noted that EPPs are able to issue an Intern or Probationary certificate with a future effective date. This allows the certificate to show up in the candidate’s TEA account but will not be active until the effective date identified by the EPP. This could be a great way for the district to see the Intern or Probationary certificate in the candidate’s account while still identifying the effective date as the first date of instruction with students in the internship assignment.
New: ECOS Account Reminder TEA would like to remind EPPs to allow candidates to create their own educator accounts in ECOS when possible. This will help to a) ensure all candidate information is entered correctly; and b) avoid duplicate accounts for a candidate that are disruptive to the preparation process. If an EPP enters a candidate’s name, date of birth or SSN incorrectly, the candidate is required to submit a Help Desk Ticket to TEAL Access for assistance. If the candidate creates a new account using the correct information, then the two accounts will have to be merged by TEA which often delays candidates in testing and or certification. EPPs can share the Educator setup guide that includes screenshots and graphics found on the TEA’s Educator Certification Online System website with candidates to support them in creating their own account successfully.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
Updates related to Educator Certification
Certification Waivers A teacher certification waiver allows a district to employ an individual to serve as a teacher without the necessary certification requirements. Teacher certification waivers cannot be approved for individuals to serve in special education or bilingual education assignments. Certification waivers are not recommended for Educator Preparation Program (EPP) candidates because it does not count towards program requirements, is not issued, or supervised by the EPP, and can prolong the certification process. However, given the ongoing vacancies across the state, districts are submitting requests to place EPP candidates on certification waivers.
When a teacher certification waiver request is submitted by a district for an EPP candidate, TEA staff in Educator Certification contact the district to ensure that the EPP candidate is not currently eligible for an SBEC-issued credential and confirms that a conversation has occurred with the candidate and their EPP. TEA staff in Educator Certification continue to encourage districts to maintain open and ongoing communication with EPPs so that both parties can actively support candidates in transitioning to an SBEC-issued certificate as soon as all requirements are met.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
July 2022 SBEC Work Session and Meeting The July SBEC work session and meeting were held Thursday and Friday, July 21-22, 2022. More information about the SBEC meeting, including the meeting agenda and access to view the meeting recording, can be found on the SBEC webpage.
In each newsletter, we aim to celebrate the great work from EPPs around Texas.
Reminder: Do you know of exemplar educator preparation work happening in Texas? We want to spotlight this excellent work in our great state! If you would like to nominate your EPP or another EPP you’ve worked with, please complete and submit the Program Spotlight Nomination Form. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelly Torrey (Kelly.Torrey@tea.texas.gov) or your Education Specialist.
Every newsletter we take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: What are the intern and probationary certificate deactivation reasons? A: Please see the intern and probationary certificate deactivation reasons below.
-
Resigns from the placement or withdraws from the EPP - Candidate Action
-
Candidate is non-renewed or terminated by the district or campus - District Action
-
Candidate is discharged or released from the EPP - EPP Action
-
Assignment issue - EPP or District Action
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
|
PASL Videos
|
|
TEA
|
TEALearn has a new dyslexia training, TEA Dyslexia, that has been made available (at no cost) to candidates who are seeking an initial certification for all certification classes. Information about the training and how to enroll can be found on the TEA Learn platform. NOTE: For candidates who have not yet been issued an intern, probationary, or standard certificate, please follow the steps noted on the webpage, Dyslexia Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs, to enroll in the course.
|
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.
Back to top
|
Click here to subscribe to this newsletter.
|
|
|
The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
|
|
|
|