 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
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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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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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Exam One Pager
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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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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
Reminder: EPP ASEP Fee Invoices
On Tuesday, 10/21/25, TEA distributed invoices through Sharefile for the ASEP Technology Fee for 2024-2025 to EPPs. This fee is assessed for each candidate who was admitted to an educator preparation program during the 2024-2025 academic year. The number of candidates is determined from the number of individuals admitted by your educator preparation program in ECOS. Additionally, as was the case last year, admissions for candidates from the prior year who were added this year via a data fix will be included in the count. This is because they were not included in the invoice last year.
The invoice has payment information included. Please note that ACH payment is encouraged. Payment is due 30 days after receipt. Additional information about the ASEP Technology Fee is located in the Texas Administrative Code at 19 TAC §229.9.
Reminder: Principal Survey and Evaluation of Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) by Teachers Scored Rosters
The Principal Survey and Evaluation of Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) by Teachers scored rosters will be distributed via ShareFile to each EPP Legal Authority or Point of Contact in late October or early November. These rosters, distributed annually, include scored data gathered from the Principal Survey and Evaluation of EPPs by Teachers, administered during the academic year 2024-2025, as part of the Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP). We provide this data to EPPs for informational purposes only.
Reminder: TTRPR (Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route) Scoring Pause
The current scoring windows for the SBEC approved Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route (TTRPR) will be paused for a short duration during the current rulemaking cycle that will include policy updates related to the residency route requirements to ensure alignment to statutory requirements for PREP allotment funded routes. This pause allows time for the updated requirements to be embedded into the application, scoring, and recommendation process for SBEC approval to offer the PREP RESIDENCY and to partner with school systems eligible to receive the allotment. We will provide more information shortly, but the intent is to reopen the application window during the spring of 2026. This means that in the next few months, programs seeking to apply for the route should continue to develop their local models with their school system partners in preparation for implementation in the upcoming school years.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns about how this update may affect your individual programs. We appreciate your continued partnership and commitment to high-quality teacher preparation. TEAteacherresidency@tea.texas.gov
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: Bilingual Special Education EC-12 Educator Standards
The recently SBEC-adopted and SBOE approved §235.137 Bilingual Special Education EC-12 educator standards are now available. More information, including details on aligned capacity building opportunities and program application to offer the aligned educator certificate, will be shared as it becomes available.
Reminder: 187 Bilingual Special Education Examination Framework Public Comment
Public comments are being requested through November 14, 2025, on the draft #187 Bilingual Special Education EC-12 Examination Framework. The framework will help guide the test development process for the new Bilingual Special Education EC-12 exam. Comments may be sent to Kelly Torrey.
Updates related to Insight to Impact
New: Last Chance for I2I Dashboards Survey Input
With the Insight to Impact Dashboards Kickoff Survey closing on October 31, this week marks the final opportunity to provide your experiences and suggestions through this easy-to-complete form.
Since user feedback for the Insight to Impact Dashboards is essential to TEA’s mission of strategically developing and updating the dashboards, your input through this quick user survey is vital. Although it will only take a few minutes to complete, it will immensely help the I2I Dashboards Team in its pursuit to provide the most useful and usable data for program improvement.
Reminder: EPP: Spotlight: Leveraging I2I Dashboards in Regular Meetings
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, data-driven decision-making has become a cornerstone for achieving excellence. Teach Us Texas, an educational preparation program offering over 35 certifications, has embraced this approach by integrating the Insight to Impact (I2I) Dashboards into its regular meetings. This strategic move has not only fostered a culture of continuous improvement but also yielded significant insights and programmatic changes that have positively impacted student outcomes. Learn more about Teach Us Texas and its process in the latest EPP Spotlight.
If your EPP is interested in receiving a TEA spotlight about how your team has successfully utilized the I2I Dashboards in your practice, please feel free to reach out to Stefan.Swiat@tea.texas.gov and potentially be featured in the EPP Newsletter and on the I2I website.
Updates related to agency initiatives and
Reminder: Save the Date—SBEC Rulemaking for HB 2 Implementation: Stakeholder Feedback Session
Please save the date to provide critical feedback regarding draft policy for SBEC rulemaking pertaining to the implementation of HB 2. The session will center discussion of key proposals pertaining to TAC Chapters 228, 227 and 230. The first opportunity will occur on October 30, 2025, from 1:30-3:30 pm. You may register here.
Webinars Reminder: Thank you so much for attending our PREP webinars! So far, we have had over 1,000 participants in the PREP webinars. We still have some upcoming PREP webinars for PREP Preservice Residency, PREP Grow Your Own, as well as the Texas Strategic Staffing grant. Please visit the LASO 4 webpage to register for those opportunities.
Reminder: LASO 4 PREP Office Hours
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: Does attempted coursework include dropped classes?
Q: If the candidate's overall GPA is 2.50 or higher, but their content area is not, do they need to take the PACT?
A: No, the minimum GPA requirement is only for admission purposes. The GPA of subject-specific content hours is reported each year, but there is no minimum requirement for what that GPA must be. [19 TAC §227.10(a)(4)]
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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