New: 185 Deafblind EC-12 and 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 TExES Exam Preparation Manuals Now Available  

• The Preparation Manuals for the 185 Deafblind EC-12 and 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 exams are now available on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website. Preparation manuals include: 

• Aligned examination framework 

• Approaches to answering different question types 

• Sample selected-response questions 

• In-depth rationales for correct and incorrect responses 

• Sample constructed response question, sample responses, and rationales 

• List of preparation resources 

New: 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Preparation Manual Overview and Constructed Response Item Spring 2025 Capacity Building Opportunities  

As we approach the September 2025 launch of the 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 certificate and aligned certification exam, we are excited to launch a series of spring capacity building sessions reviewing available exam preparation materials as well as the 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 exam Constructed Response Item (CRI). Please review the information below for additional details. 

• 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Preparation Manual Overview Webinar 
  • This webinar will guide programs through an overview of the 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 exam preparation manual, including suggested approaches for selected response items (SRIs), cluster items, and sample CRI responses. This session will be recorded and available for those who cannot attend. 
• 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Constructed Response Item Deep Dive Webinar and Work Sessions  
  • The 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 CRI Deep Dive Webinar and Work Sessions will provide programs an overview of the constructed response item, including the CRI prompt and exhibits candidates can expect to engage with on the exam. Programs will also have an opportunity to work in collaborative groups to review sample CRI responses, share best practices for candidate success on the constructed response item, and discuss curriculum updates. These two identical sessions will be highly interactive! Attending and/or viewing the 186 Preparation Manual Overview webinar prior to work session attendance is strongly encouraged 

Who? These webinars and work sessions are intended for special education faculty, staff, and/or other individuals responsible for supporting the preparation of special education candidates. Programs are highly encouraged to attend the sessions that best suit their availability.

• 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Preparation Manual Overview Webinar 
  • Wednesday, March 26, 2025 
  • 9:30-11:30 am CT, via Zoom 
  • Register Here 

• 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Constructed Response Item Deep Dive Webinar and Work Session (Option 1) 
  • Wednesday, April 9, 2025 
  • 9:00-11:00 am CT, via Zoom 
  • Register Here 

• 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Constructed Response Item Deep Dive Webinar and Work Session (Option 2) 
  • Monday, May 5, 2025 
  • 2:00-4:00 pm CT, via Zoom 
  • Register Here  

Q: Are teacher candidates who are teaching in a District of Innovation (DOI) required to hold a certificate while completing their internship year? 

A: Yes, any Teacher candidate completing an internship through an EPP must hold an Intern or Probationary certificate that is effective on or before the start date of the internship and is valid for the entire duration of the internship, and the internship must be for a minimum of one full school year for the classroom teacher assignment or assignments that match the certification category or categories for which the candidate is prepared by the EPP. Reference 19 TAC §228.73(a)-(b) for the complete citation. While a DOI may not require that its teachers hold a valid teacher certificate, candidates completing an internship through an EPP to be certified as a teacher in Texas must hold an Intern or Probationary certificate.  

Q: If a candidate at a DOI has started the school year as a classroom teacher without an Intern or Probationary certificate because it was not required, can any of that time served as a teacher count toward the internship year?  

A: No, any time a candidate in an EPP has served as a teacher without an Intern or Probationary certificate cannot count toward the internship year. The educator preparation program (EPP) must verify and document that the candidate's Intern or Probationary certificate is active prior to the start of the internship assignment. Reference 19 TAC §228.73(a) & (d) for the complete citation.