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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
New: ASEP Data Update
On 12/6, TEA sent updated ASEP data sets to EPPs. This was necessary due to a limited number of systematic issues that were identified in our data processing. For a small number of EPPs, this resulted in an update to the recommended status. More information about those issues and next steps was included in the email.
As always, we appreciate our close collaboration with the field as we work through the ASEP calculation process. The work to identify and resolve these issues was aided by communication between the EDRS team and individuals at EPPs working to deeply understand the data, methods, and calculations. We are grateful to these individuals and all our stakeholders who support continuous improvement in this area.
Reminder: EPP ASEP Fee Invoices Now Past Due!
Payment of the annual ASEP Technology Fee was due 11/17 for all EPPs. 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.
TEA sent invoices to the EPP Legal Authority and Backup Legal Authority. 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).
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. This data has now been posted. If any questions or issues arise, please submit a ticket to the Insight to Impact Help Desk.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: TX185 Deafblind Supplemental: EC-12 Pilot Test Opportunity
Pearson is conducting pilot testing for the new 185 Deafblind Supplemental: EC-12 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 January 2, 2024 through January 30, 2024. 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.
Updates related to Educator Preparation and Certification
Reminder: 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.
New: The December SBEC meeting was held as a two-day meeting on Thursday, December 7th through Friday, December 8th. The meeting agenda, which includes details for each item, is published on the SBEC webpage.
The SBEC engaged with the following action items of note throughout the 2-day meeting:
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Chair: Jean Streepey
- Vice Chair: Scott Muri
- Secretary: Tommy Coleman
19 TAC Chapter 232, Subchapter A, Certificate Renewal and Continuing Professional Education Requirements (§232.7, Requirements for Certificate Renewal and §232.11, Number and Content of Required Continuing Professional Education Hours).
The amendments provide minor technical edits to clarify the existing hardship exemption processes established in rule, implement the statutory requirements of House Bill (HB) 2929, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, and update the continuing professional education (CPE) training requirements to remove the limit on certain professional development hours that can be completed by classroom teachers and school counselors every five years for the purposes of standard certificate renewal.
Action: Adopted
Next Step: SBOE Consideration (Week of January 30, 2024)
19 TAC Chapter 234, Military Service Members, Military Spouses, and Military Veterans
The revisions implement Senate Bills (SBs) 422 and 544 and House Bill (HB) 621, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023. The revisions add military service members as being eligible to receive several of the provisions in place for military spouses; add provisions to issue a three-year temporary certificate to eligible military veterans, peace officers, fire protection personnel, and emergency medical services personnel; and add provisions for the issuance of a one-year temporary certificate to certain instructors for the Community College of the Air Force.
Action: Adopted
Next Step: SBOE Consideration (Week of January 30, 2024)
19 TAC Chapter 228, Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs (Repeal and replace Chapter 228) The proposed repeal of existing Chapter 228 and implementation of new Chapter 228 would reorganize the chapter to allow for improved readability; would implement legislation; and would include technical updates to remove outdated provisions; would incorporate components of the Effective Preparation Framework and provisions specific to the Residency Certificate; and would reflect stakeholder feedback to further strengthen the rules.
Action: Approved the Proposal
Next Step: Adoption (February 16, 2024)
19 TAC Chapter 233 Categories of Classroom Teaching Certificates
The proposed amendments would add five new Core Subjects certificates into rule. The proposed amendments would also add a new Bilingual Special Education certificate into rule, implementing provisions specified in legislation.
Action: Approved the Proposal
Next Step: Adoption (February 16, 2024)
19 TAC Chapter 239, Subchapter A, School Counselor Certificate (§239.20, Requirements for Issuance of the School Counselor Certificate)
The proposed amendment would implement the statutory requirement of Senate Bill (SB) 798, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, and would update the certificate issuance rules to remove the requirement that an individual must have two years of classroom teaching experience to receive a School Counselor certificate.
Action: Approved the Proposal
Next Step: Adoption (February 16, 2024)
19 TAC Chapter 230, Subchapter A, General Provisions, Subchapter C, Assessment of Educators, Subchapter D, Types and Classes of Certificates Issued, and Subchapter G, Certificate Issuance Procedures
The proposed amendments would redefine Pilot Exam; would provide a technical edit to align with the titles in subsections; would specify the timeline by which a passing score on a certification exam can be used for certification purposes; would decrease the number of days to request a test limit waiver after an unsuccessful examination attempt; would update the figure specifying the required pedagogy and content pedagogy certification exams for issuance of the probationary or standard certificate; would remove certificate categories and examinations that are no longer operational; would establish a Residency Certificate and the associated fees; and would update the list of ineligible certification by examination certificates to include the Deafblind: Early Childhood-Grade 12 certificate.
Action: Approved the Proposal
Next Step: Adoption (February 16, 2024)
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs
Q: We have a candidate who has asked if she can take a TExES exam in Spanish. Is that option available?
A: All TExES exams are only offered in English. The option to administer them in another language is not offered. The one exception is for language-based exams (i.e. BLTPT, LOTE French, LOTE German, etc.) which are testing for proficiency in the other language. TExES exam information is found on the Pearson website.
Q: We have a candidate who was a finisher in our School Counseling program in 2018 who is now applying for Standard certification as a School Counselor. Does this finisher need to have 2 years of classroom teaching experience to be certified?
A: No. Effective 9/1/2023, experience as a classroom teacher is not required for issuance of a School Counselor certificate.
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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