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.
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Educator Preparation Program Listserv Registration
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Action Item
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Due Date
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Qualified applicants may submit proposals through the Region 13 bidding website
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Deadline Extended Tuesday, November 28, 2023
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
Reminder: EPP ASEP Fee Invoices
On Tuesday, 10/17, TEA distributed 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 are included in the count. This is because they were not included in the prior year’s invoice.
The invoice has 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. If programs would prefer to pay via a wire transfer, these instructions are available on request.
TEA sent invoices to the EPP Legal Authority, Backup Legal Authority, and/or other Primary Points of Contact. Payment is due 30 days after sending. Additional information about the ASEP Technology Fee is located in the Texas Administrative Code at 19 TAC §229.9.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
Deadline Extended: 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. The deadline for proposals has been extended to November 28, 2023.
Updates related to Educator Preparation and Certification
Reminder: Notice of Name Change for Approved Charter School
The name of the approved charter school Promise Community Schools (CDN: 101853) has been changed to BakerRipley Community Schools (CDN: 101853). The name has been updated on the LEA dropdown in ECOS Entity screens. This should not impact candidates placed on this campus; however, EPPs will need to know the correct name to select from the LEA list when recommending certificates and creating clinical experience records.
Additional updates on initiatives and opportunities from the TEA.
New: Texas SPED Support launched in August 2023 and houses a suite of valuable TEA resources for educators, administrators, and support staff working with students receiving special education services. Search Texas SPED Support by topic, type, or audience to find the TEA guidance documents, videos, tools and templates, online courses, and live events you need to support students with disabilities. Whether you’re looking for answers to specific questions or trying to find learning opportunities to extend your knowledge, Texas SPED Support has what you need.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs
Q: What happens when a candidate applies & pays for a certificate and it is not immediately recommended by our EPP?
A: Once a candidate applies & pays for a certificate, the application remains in the EPP recommendation list until the EPP Certification Officer acts on the recommendation. Once the certificate is recommended, the certificate will issue. This most often happens in August, December, and July when candidates apply & pay for intern, probationary, and standard certificates. Please advise your candidates that they do not need to contact TEA regarding a pending certificate issuance. TEA does not have a role in that process, unless there is something preventing the certificate from issuing or a fee must be transferred to a correct certificate. Let your candidates know that the certificate will be recommended once all requirements are met. For undergrad and post-bac candidates, this is once the degree is conferred and exams are passed. For ACP candidates, this is once all requirements have been met and exams are passed. Reference 19 TAC §230.36 for interns certificate requirements, 19 TAC §230.37 for probationary certificate requirements, and 19 TAC §230.13 for standard certificate requirements.
Q: I am the Certification Officer at my EPP. Is there a way for me to get notified about recommendations that I make for candidates?
A: Yes. Go into your EPP Green Screen. Look for your “User Profile” on the bottom left side of the screen and you will see your profile in the middle of the page. Place a check in the box labeled “Send Copy of all System Sent Emails to me”. You will receive a BCC email on any system-generated emails that you send to a candidate, such as certificate recommendations and test approvals. Reference the screenshot below:
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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