Welcome
This newsletter compiles the most up-to-date information concerning what EPPs need to know to best support their faculty/instructors, staff, and candidates. 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
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New Certification Officer Training
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This training will provide information to Certification Officers related to requirements and processes for EPPs including the use of the various functions within ECOS for Entities. Please register to attend virtually. You do not have to be a new Certification Officer to attend. Note: This notice will be in the newsletter for 2 weeks as a preview for planning purposes. We will publish this training information again 2 weeks prior to the event.
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Tuesday, November 7, 2023, from 9:00 AM-3:30 PM
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Texas Teacher Residency Learning Series
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US Prep, national technical assistance provider for quality teacher preparation through residency transformation, will be hosting a fall learning series to support programs in learning more about teacher residency models. Please see the full message below to register for any of the upcoming events!
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Multiple events: See description below
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Proposals for the development of the Texas-specific Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA)
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Tuesday, October 24, 2023
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
New: EPP ASEP Fee Invoices
On Tuesday, 10/17, TEA will be distributing invoices for the ASEP Technology Fee for 2022-2023 to EPPs. This fee is assessed for each candidate who was admitted to your educator preparation program during the 2022-2023 academic year. The number of candidates is taken from the number of individuals reported as admitted by your educator preparation program in ECOS. Additionally, as was the case last year, admissions for the prior year who were added this year via a data fix will be included in the count. This is because they were not included in the prior year’s invoice.
The invoice will have payment information, including information about how to pay using ACH and how to submit a payment by mail. Credit cards are not accepted. Please note that ACH payment is encouraged.
New: Insight to Impact Dashboards – Professional Roles Dashboards
We are excited to announce that the new Insight to Impact Professional Role dashboards were launched this week. These dashboards provide details about the initial employment, employment and retention, candidate characteristics, exam pass rates, and clinical experience for individuals receiving professional certifications. The roles included in these dashboards are counselors, educational diagnosticians, librarians, principals, and reading specialists.
Instructions on requesting access within TEAL can be found on the I2I Academy. Users can select from Professional Role EPP User with Individual Data or Professional Role EPP User without Individual Data.
Reminder: Update to ECOS Pass Rate Screen
Starting with the 2023-2024 academic year, the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL), test 368, is included with other pedagogy exams listed in Figure: 19 TAC §230.21(e). To reflect this change, TEA has updated the Pass Rates screen in ECOS. This screen will show the PASL results with the Pedagogy Exam calculations instead of the Content Pedagogy Exam, starting with the 2023-2024 data.
Please note, per 19 TAC 229.4(a)(1)(B), starting with 2023-2024 accountability calculations, the PASL will be included in the calculations for Indicator 1a. The accountability year that recently closed will include PASL under Indicator 1b, which reflects the prior rules.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
Reminder: Texas-specific Teacher Performance Assessment Request for Proposal
The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of the Texas-specific Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) is now posted on the Region 13 bidding website. Qualified applicants from Texas institutions of higher education are encouraged to submit a proposal to complete all development activities and create all aligned statewide implementation resources for a Texas-specific teacher performance assessment. Proposals are due no later than 12:00 PM October 24, 2023.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
Friday, September 29th. More information about the SBEC meeting, including the meeting agenda and access to view the recorded meeting, can be found on the SBEC webpage.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: Are all candidates required to have instruction in the framework for teacher and principal evaluation?
A: Yes. The 19 TAC §228.30(c) identifies the required subject-matter for candidates seeking initial certification in any class. The framework in this state for teacher and principal evaluation is identified in 19 TAC §228.30(c)(6). It is required for all candidates, teacher & non-teacher, in all certificate classes. It is important for each candidate to know and understand that everyone is accountable for student achievement.
Q: Is the instruction regarding students with disabilities a new curriculum requirement for all candidates?
A: Yes. The 19 TAC §228.30(c)(9) was adopted to be effective September 1, 2022 and is one of the required subject-matter for candidates seeking initial certification in any class. Instruction regarding students with disabilities, the use of proactive instructional planning techniques, and evidence-based instructional practices, as required under TEC, §21.044(a-1) is a relatively new TAC. It means that all candidates in any certification class must have a basic knowledge of each disability category under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how each category can affect student learning development.
Your best source for information and support at the TEA.
As an Educator Preparation Program, your main point of contact is your Education Specialist.
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View a list of EPPs and their associated Education Specialist.
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For easiest assistance, please submit a Help Desk ticket to Preparation Programs.
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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.
Updated: If EPPs (and candidates) would like to speak to a representative from another area(s), they may call (512) 936-8400 and select one of the options listed below.
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Option 2: Educator Certification
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Option 3: Fingerprinting
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Option 6: Investigations
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Option 8: General Office Information
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