 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
Topic
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Description
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Event Date & Time
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Core EC EC-6 (491) Framework Overview and Application Process Webinar
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The 491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process Webinar will guide programs through an overview of the updated Core EC-6 exam framework, closely examine application requirements and timeline, and provide programs an opportunity to explore how the new exam is aligned and different from the older Core Subjects EC-6 exam. TEA staff will facilitate this webinar several times throughout the Fall semester. We strongly encourage those faculty or staff who will be responsible for completing the program’s application to attend
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
Reminder: Request For Exception (RFE) Forms
Thank you for submitting all RFEs on time. TEA is in the process of reviewing your submitted RFEs and expects to have them back to your EPP in the coming weeks. Once they are reviewed, the EPP Education Specialist assigned will return the completed RFE to the EPP. If you have any questions, please submit a Help Desk ticket.
Reminder: ASEP Reporting 2024-2025 is Now Closed
Thank you to our EPP partners for completing ASEP reporting by 5:00 PM CST on Monday, September 15, 2025. As a reminder, your ASEP affidavit must be signed by the Legal Authority or Primary Point of Contact, as applicable, and submitted to the Educator Testing and Preparation Programs Help Desk by 5:00 PM CST on Friday, September 19, 2025. The ASEP Affidavit 2025 is located on the Program Provider Resources page, under Forms & Documentation, ASEP Technical Manual & ASEP Reporting Forms.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
The 165 Bilingual Education Spanish Supplemental exam will launch September 1, 2026. The agency will host additional webinars to provide information regarding accountability, 165 Bilingual Education Spanish Supplemental Constructed Response Item (CRI), pricing, and other pertinent topics. Please watch for updates in this newsletter. In the meantime, we will continue to add resources for programs on the standards support webpage.
Reminder: English as a Second Language Draft Exam Framework Public Comment
Public comments are being requested through October 15, 2025, on the draft #818 Core EC–6 English as a Second Language Examination Framework. The framework will help guide the test development process for the new Core EC–6 English as a Second Language individual subject exam. Comments may be sent to Kaye Jernigan.
Test Development Exam Launch Overview
The following table contains information related to upcoming certification exam transitions and launch dates. Exam resources, including exam one-pagers, will be linked as they become available.
Exam Launch Reminders and Resources
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186 Special Education Specialist EC-12
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165 Bilingual Education Spanish Supplemental
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Core Subjects Redesign, Phase 1
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Core with Fine Arts/Health/PE
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Core with Special Education
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Texas Test of Educator Proficiency (T-TEP) (pending SBEC action)
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Core Subjects Redesign, Phase 2
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Core with Bilingual Education Spanish
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187 Bilingual Special Education
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Reminder: Core EC-6 (491) Framework Overview and Application Process Fall 2025 Webinar
As we approach the September 2027 launch of the updated Core EC-6 certificate and aligned certification exam, we are excited to announce a modified application process for programs and a series of upcoming webinars to guide programs through an overview of updated exam frameworks and review application requirements.
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Programs that currently offer the Core Subjects EC-6 certificates will need to meet the following requirements to offer the new Core EC-6 certificate and approve candidates for the aligned exam:
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Attend (or view the recording) the 491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process Webinar and submit the webinar exit ticket.
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Complete and submit an attestation or amendment request.
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Must have an accreditation status of Accredited.
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There is no fee for this application.
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Application materials will be shared when they become available following the webinar.
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Programs that do not currently offer the current Core Subjects EC-6 certificate will need to meet the following requirements to offer the new Core EC-6 certificate and approve candidates for the aligned exam:
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Attend (or view the recording) the Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process Webinar and submit the webinar exit ticket.
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Complete and submit an application for a new certification field.
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Must have an accreditation status of Accredited.
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There is a $500 fee for this application.
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Application materials will be shared when they become available following the webinar.
Please review the information below for additional details on the Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process Webinar and reach out to your assigned Education Specialist with any questions.
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The 491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process Webinar will guide programs through an overview of the updated Core EC-6 exam framework, provide programs an opportunity to explore the exam crosswalk, and closely examine program application requirements and timeline.
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This webinar will not discuss program accountability and the new Core EC-6 certificate; TEA staff will provide more information on this topic at a later date.
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TEA staff will facilitate this webinar several times throughout the Fall semester. Programs are encouraged to attend the webinar that best suits their availability. Dates, times, and registration links for each webinar can be found below.
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This webinar is intended for Core EC-6 faculty staff, certification officers, and/or other individuals responsible for the development and implementation of the new 491 Core EC-6 certificate beginning 9/1/2027. Programs are highly encouraged to attend one of the four 491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process Webinars in Fall 2025.
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Attestations or amendment applications of programs that attend one of the webinars offered will be prioritized for review by the Educator Preparation team.
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While staff highly encourage attendance, programs that cannot attend one of the Fall 2025 webinars offered will have an opportunity to view a recording of the webinar and submit the application webinar exit ticket in addition to application materials. A recorded version of the 491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process Webinar will be posted to the TEA website no earlier than Spring 2026.
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491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process September Webinar
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Thursday, September 25, 2025
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1:00-3:00 pm CST via Zoom
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Register Here
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491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process October Webinar
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Thursday, October 23, 2025
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10:30 am-12:30 pm CST via Zoom
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Register Here
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491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process November Webinar
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Thursday, November 20, 2025
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11:00 am-1:00 pm CST via Zoom
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Register Here
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491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Process December Webinar
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Wednesday, December 11, 2025
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2:00-4:00 pm CST, via Zoom
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Register Here
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Updates related to Insight to Impact
New: Secure Your Seat for the I2I Kickoff Meeting
On Thursday, September 25, from 2-3 p.m. CT, the I2I Dashboards Team will host its kickoff event for I2I training this year. We will review the training opportunities designed to assist EPPs with improved data comprehension, analysis, and application within the I2I Dashboards. The goal is to create a supportive community where EPPs can routinely share and tackle problems, provide insights and solutions, and receive value and benefits from the data.
Feel free to share this invitation widely with your EPP community to ensure that all who use the dashboard data have the opportunity to benefit. We look forward to having you attend the training!
You may register using this link.
Reminder: I2I: Increasing Data Availability
The Insight to Impact (I2I) Dashboards were created to provide educator preparation programs (EPPs) with user-friendly access to actionable data about their processes and outcomes at no charge. With the dashboards’ ability to effectively aggregate data from multiple sources in one area, they reduce the need to frequently create ad hoc public information requests from TEA for data that EPPs can use for programmatic improvement. Learn more about how in this blog post.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: The informal observation requirements for residency candidates identify that the first informal observation must occur within the first four weeks of the residency assignment, but the updated requirement for formal observations in 19 TAC §228.103(a) identifies that the first formal observation must occur within the first six weeks of the assignment. If the informal observation must follow the formal observation, how should we structure these two requirements?
A: The requirements in TAC are the minimum requirements. An EPP may require more than what is in TAC. In this case, the EPP may require a first formal observation that is earlier than the six-week limit, which would allow the informal to be completed by the four-week limit. For example, the first formal observation could be conducted at three weeks and then the first informal at four weeks.
Q: When is the first formal observation required for a Residency candidate?
A: A correction to 19 TAC §228.103(a) that went into effect March 11, 2025, identifies that the field supervisor must conduct the first formal observation within the first six weeks of the residency assignment.
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.
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For most efficient assistance, please submit a Help Desk ticket to Preparation Programs.
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EPPs may contact their assigned Education Specialist directly via phone or email.
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Candidates may call (512) 936-8400 and select Option #2: Educator Preparation and Certification for assistance.
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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 Preparation and Certification
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Option 3: Fingerprinting
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Option 6: Investigations
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