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
|
Topic
|
Description
|
Event Date & Time
|
|
ASEP Reporting 2023-2024
|
This webinar will provide reminders and updates about annual state reporting requirements to EPPs.
|
Tuesday, August 6, 2024,
10:30 - 11:30 am CT
|
Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
Reminder: Principal and Teacher Survey Roster Reviews
Each year, the Educator Data, Research, and Strategy team shares the teacher and principal survey rosters for EPPs to review. In previous years, these rosters have been shared in early July. This year, due to necessary updates in our processing, the rosters will be shared in early August for review. Please watch for additional updates about data sharing in August and September.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: Representative Exam and Interactive Practice Tests Now Available
Representative Exams and Interactive Practice Tests are now available for the redesigned 257 Health EC-12, 258 Physical Education EC-12, and 331 ELAR 7-12 exams. More information can be found here.
Updates related to Education Preparation and Certification
New: 2024-2025 EPP Continuing Approval Review Material Posted
The 2024-2025 Continuing Approval Review (CAR) Handbook and Rubric are now posted on the Program Provider Resources page under Forms and Documents. All EPPs that have been selected for review in the 2024-2025 academic year have been notified. If you have questions about your CAR, please contact the Education Specialist assigned to your review.
Reminder: EPP Legal Authority Change Requests
As we enter the summer months, EPPs begin to make staff changes. If you have a Legal Authority, Back-Up Legal Authority, Certification Officer, or other change at your EPP, please contact your assigned Education Specialist to request the Legal Authority/Back-up Legal Authority change request template. Once we receive the completed request, we will make the changes for you.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
New: July 2024 SBEC Work Session and Meeting
The July SBEC summer work session and meeting will be on Thursday, July 18th and Friday, July 19th. More information about the SBEC work session and meeting, including the meeting agendas and access to view the meeting virtually, can be found on the SBEC webpage.
Updates related to agency initiatives and opportunities
New: Associate Commissioner of Educator Preparation, Certification, and Enforcement
As many know, Emily Garcia made the difficult decision to transition out of her role as Associate Commissioner at the TEA. She will be greatly missed!
The TEA is excited to welcome Jessica McLoughlin as the new Associate Commissioner of Educator Preparation, Certification, and Enforcement. Jessica brings a broad range of experiences and expertise to the role including teaching, school leadership, and state level leadership in Texas and has worked with stakeholders across the state in her previous role as Senior Director of Educator Quality. She looks forward to continuing to work in partnership with Texas’ educator preparation programs in the role.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: What is my EPP’s responsibility if a candidate decides to transfer before finishing the EPP?
A: If a candidate is not a finisher, the EPP is responsible for removing any exams for which the candidate is “eligible” or “approved” to take and for removing the candidate’s enrollment record from the finisher records list. Additionally, the EPP will need to provide the candidate with a transfer form so they may seek admission to a new EPP. The EPP needs to retain a copy of the transfer form for the EPP’s records.
Q: Can a candidate who was never identified as a finisher but was last enrolled at my EPP be formally readmitted to the same EPP in the same certificate category or class?
A: Yes. As long as the candidate was not identified as a finisher in the certificate category or class, they may be formally readmitted to the same EPP. There are only two instances in which an EPP may not admit a candidate. (1) An EPP may not admit a candidate who was reported as completing all requirements by another EPP in the same category or class unless they only need test approval. (2) An EPP may also not admit a candidate who has been employed for three years under a permit, intern, or probationary certificate, unless the candidate is seeking clinical teaching that may lead to the issuance of a standard certificate. Reference 19 TAC §227.10(c)(1-2). In both instances, the EPP is accountable for the candidate’s testing. Reference 19 TAC §229.4(a)(1)(A).
Your best source for information and support at the TEA.
-
As an Educator Preparation Program, your main point of contact is your Education Specialist.
-
View a list of EPPs and their assigned Education Specialist.
-
For most efficient assistance, please submit a Help Desk ticket to Preparation Programs.
-
EPPs may contact their assigned Education Specialist directly via phone or email.
-
Candidates may call (512) 936-8400 and select Option #2: Educator Preparation and Certification for assistance.
-
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.
-
Option 2: Educator Preparation and Certification
-
Option 3: Fingerprinting
-
Option 6: Investigations
|
