Week 3 ASEP Task Reminders (3): 

1. 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. 
2. 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.  
3. 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.  

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.   

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.