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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TIER Information Sessions for EPPs
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The TEA initiative, Tiered Interventions using Evidence-based Research (TIER) provides training, resources, and supports on best practices for multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). These sessions will share information about all the free resources available for EPPs.
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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
Reminder: 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.
Reminder: 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.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: TX186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Pilot Test Opportunity
Pearson is conducting pilot testing for the updated 186 Special Education Specialist exam. Pilot testing is intended to collect information on the performance of exam questions to be used at future exam administrations. Pilot testing will be available at Pearson VUE test centers throughout Texas from October 17, 2023, through November 13, 2023. Registration information can be found here. Please note that participation in a pilot test does not satisfy certification requirements or count against a candidate’s test attempts. Participants and educator preparation programs do not receive a Pass/Fail status or a score report. If you have questions or need further information, please contact the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program at estexas@pearson.com.
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.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: When our EPP Advisory Committee meets, what should we be discussing?
A: The Advisory Committee at each EPP must discuss the design, delivery, and major policy decisions of the EPP as identified in 19 TAC §228.20(b). The Advisory Committee must meet once per year, but can meet more than that if needed.
Q: Why must the EPP evaluate the design & delivery of the EPP components and how does this fit with the function of the Advisory Committee?
A: Each EPP must evaluate the design & delivery of the EPP components based on performance data, scientifically-based research practices, and the results of internal and external assessments as identified in 19 TAC §228.40(e). This important work is done so that the EPP can determine if changes to admission, program coursework & training, and curriculum need to occur to improve the overall quality of the EPP. This work must be shared with the Advisory Committee per 19 TAC §228.20(b) as a way to inform membership and solicit feedback about any changes and get information from the Advisory Committee membership about what they are seeing and may be needing in the field resulting from the EPP evaluation.
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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