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
Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
Reminder: Insight to Impact Dashboards - Survey Data Updated
TEA is in the process of updating the Insight to Impact dashboards to include data for both the 2022-2023 Principal Survey and New Teacher Satisfaction Survey. We are finalizing with our technology team to make these updates, and the data should be posted soon. If any questions or issues arise, please submit a ticket to the Insight to Impact Help Desk.
Reminder: EPP ASEP Fee Invoices Now Past Due!
Payment of the annual ASEP Technology Fee was due 11/17 for all EPPs. On 11/30 TEA sent notice to those EPPs who were delinquent in payment. If your EPP has not yet completed payment, you must do so immediately to avoid potential negative consequences.
While we work to ensure that our bookkeeping for invoices is as up to date as possible, it does require collaboration between our unit and other units here at TEA. As noted in the letter this can at times lead to delays in notification to our office of payments. A big “thank you” to programs who were able to provide record of payment to help us identify additional internal records.
Additional information about the ASEP Technology Fee is located in the Texas Administrative Code at 19 TAC §229.9. As a reminder, failure to submit this payment may result in the SBEC revoking your EPP’s accreditation, per 19 TAC §229.4(b)((3)(C).
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
Updates related to Educator Preparation and Certification
New: The Reading Academies Authorized Provider application to open soon
In the fall of 2023, Texas EPPs had the opportunity to apply to be part of a Texas Reading Academies for EPPs working group for the 2023-2024 school year. Over the past semester, the ten participating programs have 100+ teacher candidates engaging in Reading Academies through partnership with a currently existing Authorized Providers. The feedback from teacher candidates and programs have been positive with the implementation of Reading Academies, as a result, we would like to expand the ability to offer Reading Academies to additional EPPs. In preparation for expanding the optional opportunity for the 2024-25 school year, EPPs will soon be able to apply to be Authorized Providers for Texas Reading Academies. Authorized Providers are entities that manage teacher candidate Reading Academies cohort implementation, including all hiring and management of cohort leaders, cohort oversight, and financial management for the Texas Reading Academies. The Texas Education Agency will evaluate authorized provider candidates on quality as demonstrated through the application responses provided and their ability to meet program demands. The Competitive Authorization Application for EPPs to become Authorized Providers for Reading Academy will open in early Spring 2024 with notification of acceptance as an Authorized Providers by mid Spring 2024. More information about Reading Academies, including an overview of Reading Academies for EPPs will be coming soon.
New: Reminder about School Counselor EC-12 Certification
Starting September 1, 2023, based on Senate Bill (SB) 798, service as a classroom teacher can no longer be required for issuance of the School Counselor certificate. The requirements for issuance of the School Counselor certificate are 1) successfully complete a School Counselor preparation program; 2) achieve a passing score on the School Counselor certification exam; and 3) hold at minimum a 48-hour master’s degree in counseling from an accredited IHE.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
Reminder: The December SBEC meeting will be held as a two-day meeting on Thursday, December 7th and Friday, December 8th. More information about the SBEC meeting, including the meeting agenda and access to view the meeting virtually, can be found on the SBEC webpage.
To support attendance and/or viewing planning, TEA staff anticipate that the SBEC will engage with the following items of note on each day of the meeting, though the day/order of presentation may change pending SBEC direction:
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Thursday, Dec. 7th:
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Item 9: Proposal - Repeal and Replace of Chapter 228, Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs.
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Item 10: Proposal - Chapter 233, Categories of Classroom Teaching Certificates
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Friday, Dec. 8th:
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Item 12: Proposal – Chapter 230, Professional Educator Preparation and Certification, Subchapters A, C, D, and G
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Item 15: Discussion – Chapter 231, Requirements for Public School Personnel Assignments, Subchapters B, C, E, and F
The full agenda, including the items listed above and others slated for SBEC consideration during the meeting, can be found here.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs
Q: If an intern is placed on administrative leave by the district or takes FMLA and is out for more than 30 days, does the certificate need to be deactivated?
A: If a candidate is out for more than 30 days, the certificate may remain active so the candidate can continue to receive benefits. The 30 day less than the minimum leave requirements are found in 19 TAC §228.35(e)(2)(B)(i) and the reasons are maternity leave, military leave, illness, bereavement, or if the late-hire date is after the first day of the school year. The deactivation rules are in 19 TAC §228.35(e)(2)(B)(vi)(II-V). The certificate is deactivated if the candidate resigns, is non-renewed, or is terminated; the candidate is discharged/released from the EPP; or if the assignment does not meet requirements (such as not in a placement that matches the certificate seeking).
Q: If an intern returns after being placed on administrative leave by the district or returns from FMLA after being out of the internship for more than 30 days, are they still required to complete the 300 clock-hours of coursework by the end of the internship to be considered for an additional internship year?
A: If a candidate is out for more than 30 days, the candidate would need another internship year. Reference 19 TAC §228.35(e)(2)(B)(v)(I) that states an additional internship may be recommended if the first internship was not successful, the EPP develops a plan to address any deficiencies identified by the candidate, the field supervisor, and the EPP implements the plan during the year. TAC is silent on what the deficiency may be. The EPP, field supervisor, and candidate decide what the deficiency may be. The candidate picks up where they left off. They do not have to start over with the hours. If the candidate was successful and needs a certificate to cover them while requirements are being completed, an additional internship may be recommended. Reference 19 TAC §228.35(e)(2)(B)(v)(II). Be advised that the candidate must be field supervised during the additional internship. Reference 19 TAC §228.35(e)(2)(B)(vi)(I-V).
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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