“Pre-season isn't just about conditioning but also getting used to each other as a team and a group of men. You spend more time with these people than you do your own family. Pre-season is the time we get used to each other and work out how people work. It can be a lot of fun. Hard but fun. “ - Colin Kazim-Richards 

Next week, I will give you all a break on the football quotes, but as pre-season kicked off over the weekend, I wanted to take the opportunity to provide a reminder of the purpose of pre-season. Pre-season is not about the win but about the learning and building of relationships. It is an opportunity to learn what works and what does not and to make changes along the way. I see the beginning of the year like pre-season. Whether it be a retreat, planning time, welcoming new faculty members, or ushering in new students, make sure you take the time to get to know your team (e.g., learning what makes them tick; what makes them successful), but most importantly, learn what needs to be done to have a great 2022-2023 academic year! 

 

Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management  

Candidate Population	If EPPs Conduct Only In-Person Observations	If EPPs Conduct In-Person and Virtual Observations
Intern Certificate Holders	*5	3 in-person and 2 virtually
28-Week Clinical Teaching	4	2 in-person and 2 virtually
Probationary Certificate Holders  14-Week Clinical Teaching	*3	2 in-person and 2 virtually

EPPs’ Role in Certification Assignment Flexibilities 
As the academic year approaches, school districts are diligently working to hire educators that meet their districts’ needs. Although the hiring flexibilities primarily fall within the purview of the school district, EPPs may have a role in supporting their EPP candidates and partnering school districts.  

Listed below are frequently asked questions TEA has received from EPPs regarding certification assignment flexibilities. NOTE: These flexibilities are not applicable for special education, bilingual, or ESL assignments due to federal requirements and state statutes. 

Teacher Certification Waiver 

• Does the EPP have any responsibilities for their EPP candidate who is working in a district on a certification waiver? 
  
  
  • Yes, the EPP should provide preparation (e.g., test preparation) and work with their partnering school district to encourage the candidate to finish the program requirements (e.g., pass required exams) to qualify for an SBEC-issued credential as quickly as possible since the activities and service on a certificate waiver do not count towards completion of EPP preparation and certification requirements. The moment the candidate can qualify for an SBEC-approved credential (e.g., Intern certificate), the EPP must recommend the candidate for the credential.  
• For an EPP candidate who has been issued an SBEC-approved certificate (i.e., Intern or Probationary), can they qualify for a teacher certification waiver?  
  
  
  • Yes, a certification waiver could be issued to a candidate who is enrolled in an EPP on an Intern or Probationary certificate; however, prior to considering approval of the request, TEA staff would seek additional information to determine why the assignment cannot be covered with an SBEC-issued credential (e.g., EPP candidate is needed to teach in an area outside of those approved by the EPP).  
    
    
• How long may an individual be employed as a teacher on a certification waiver?
   
  • The educator may serve on a certification waiver for up to 3 years. The certification waiver must first be approved by the local board of trustees, and the district must apply for and request each certification waiver based on their district’s needs (i.e., needs in teaching assignments and other teaching assignments), and the Commissioner must approve each request before serving on a certificate waiver.  

SBEC-Approved Emergency Permits

• Who may serve on an emergency permit?
   
  • Aspiring educators who have a conferred bachelor's degree (or higher degree) or educators who are certified in another classroom teaching area, may serve on the SBEC-approved emergency permit. NOTE: Educators already certified as a classroom teacher and serving on the emergency permit must be registered for the requisite teaching assignment’s exam at its next administration date.  
    
    
• What is the EPP’s role to support their EPP candidates for the SBEC-Approved Emergency Permit? 
  
  
  • The EPP may complete the Statement of Eligibility (SOE), indicating what the EPP candidate is qualified to teach. Once the district has received the SOE from the EPP, this should be sufficient in completing the emergency permit request. NOTE: The requirement to be registered for the next testing date (as noted in the FAQ above) is specific to individuals who are already certified as a classroom teacher and only need to pass exams to qualify for issuance of a new certificate area.
    
    
• Where can I find more information about emergency permits?
   
  • EPPs may find helpful information (e.g., validity, eligibility requirements, procedures for activation) about emergency permits in Chapter 230, Subchapter F (texas.gov).   

School District Teaching Permit 

• What should an EPP know about the school district teaching permit?
    
  • There are two types of school district teaching permits (SDTPs). The Noncore Academic CTE SDTP is used by districts to notify the commissioner of education about the placement of an individual into CTE course assignments that are not eligible to satisfy foundation graduation credit in mathematics, science, language arts, or social studies. This process is vetted by the superintendent and local board of trustees, and by provisions in statute (TEC 21.055), there is no approval needed by the commissioner of education.  The SDTP for Other Than Noncore Academic CTE teaching assignments does require commissioner of educator review and approval for individuals to teach core subject area course. This process must also be vetted by the superintendent and local board of trustees prior to submitting a completed application to TEA. The school district teaching permit once issued, and regardless of type, is valid for the duration that the individual remains employed and in good standing with the district.  
  • Most school district teaching permits requested are for noncore academic CTE assignments and do not require commissioner approval. TEA strongly discourages utilizing school district teaching permits as data indicates that candidates do not complete requirements for an SBEC-approved certificate.  NOTE: Certified educators are not eligible for issuance of a school district teaching permit. More information about school district teaching permits can be found on the page, School District Teaching Permits | Texas Education Agency.

Districts of Innovation Plan  

• What should an EPP know about the District of Innovations’ (DOI) Plans?
    
  • A school district develops their DOI plan based on their districts’ needs that will support their ability to hire hard-to-fill teaching assignments. Districts work with their legal counsel and local school board to develop, amend, and approve the districts’ DOI plans. Districts are required to notify TEA of their plans, but TEA does not have the authority to approve or reject the plans. More information about DOIs can be found on the page, Districts of Innovation.  
• May an EPP support their EPP candidate who is teaching in a DOI?
   
  • Yes. There is nothing in TAC that would prohibit an EPP from supporting their EPP candidate (e.g., supervising, coaching) who is teaching in a DOI. It should be noted though that the activities and service in a DOI do not count towards a candidate’s completion of EPP requirements. 

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