 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
- Core with Fine Arts/Health/PE
- 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
- Core with Bilingual Education Spanish
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187 Bilingual Special Education
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
New: Consider Adding a Backup Legal Authority
We strongly encourage all EPPs to have at least one Backup Legal Authority. Having a Backup Legal Authority will ensure that another EPP staff member can approve TEAL access for others at your EPP and handle the EPP’s business in ECOS for Entities at your EPP if the Legal Authority is not available to do so for any reason. You may use the EPP Change Request Form to add a Backup Legal Authority. If you have questions about the importance of having a Backup Legal Authority or to check if your EPP has one, please submit a Help Desk ticket to the Preparation Programs Help Desk tile on the TEA website, and we will assist you.
New: Revised Principal Survey Scored Roster
Thanks to the valuable feedback from EPPs, we identified data discrepancies in portions of the Principal Survey scored distributed data. In response, we’ve revised and redistributed the updated dataset to the EPPs who had changes to their scored roster on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. We deeply appreciate the careful review of the data by EPPs. This collaboration ensures that data is accurate.
Reminder: Distribution of the Scored Principal Survey and Evaluation of Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) by Teachers Rosters
On Friday, October 31, 2025, TEA distributed the scored Principal Survey and Evaluation of EPPs by Teachers rosters, which were administered during academic 2024-2025. The rosters were shared with the EPP Legal Authority, via ShareFile. The Principal Survey and the Evaluation of EPPs by Teachers questions are available on the Program Provider Resources webpage, under Accountability System Data, and the Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP) manual, includes the scoring procedure. This data is provided to your EPP for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please submit a Help Desk ticket.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
Reminder: 491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview and Application Webinar
Thank you to the 118 participants who attended the second 491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview Webinar on Thursday, October 23rd! This webinar provided participants with an overview of the updated Core EC-6 exam format and content shifts and discussed the exam framework to highlight key similarities and differences between the new and current exams. Participants were able to gauge their knowledge about pertinent dates and information regarding the new exam and were provided the opportunity to reflect and ask questions via Padlet.
As a reminder, resources for the 491 Core EC-6 exam, including the framework, framework crosswalk, recording of the framework webinar, and exam one-pager, can be accessed on the Educator Standards and Testing webpage as they become available.
Reminder: Texas Test of Educator Proficiency (T-TEP) One Pager Now Available
An exam one pager is now available for the Texas Test of Educator Proficiency (T-TEP), currently scheduled to launch September 2027, pending SBEC action. This resource will be updated as additional information is 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
Reminder: Secure Your Seat for the Final I2I Training of 2025
On Thursday, November 13, from 2-3 p.m. CT, the I2I Dashboards Team will host our last I2I training of 2025. The team will review the 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 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!
This also marks an opportunity for EPP staff to claim a square on the Insight to Impact Bingo Card! The I2I Dashboards Team created the I2I Bingo Card to make training resources more engaging and enjoyable for those looking to master the dashboards. Each activity takes no more than 15 minutes and is comprehensively designed to build your skills step-by-step through the entirety of the dashboards.
In addition, if you complete a bingo, you can win TEA recognition in the EPP Newsletter and prizes! Let’s see who the first person will be to complete a bingo or an entire blackout of their card! Download the bingo card now and register here for the training!
Reminder: Dashboards Sign-up Event Video Posted
For those who missed the October 23 Insight to Impact Dashboards Sign-up Event, you’re in luck. The recorded event video is now posted for members of the EPP community who would like to learn more about the steps needed to receive dashboard access depending on roles pertinent to their work.
Feel free to share this video widely with your EPP community to ensure that all who are eligible and would benefit from using dashboard data to make programmatic decisions have appropriate access.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: We are getting more applicants from a university that issues a "pass/fail” for classes rather than an actual grade. The transcript does not have a GPA, but it states that “Passed: Certifies successful completion of a course of study. A student has demonstrated required competencies by passing the final assessment with a grade equivalent of "B" or better, or 3.00 grade points on a 4.00 scale.” Can we just assume the candidate has a 3.00 GPA if they passed all classes?
A: If the transcript does not reflect numeric grades and does not have a cumulative GPA, the EPP cannot assume grades or a GPA. A grade equivalency letter does not suffice since it is not specific to that applicant’s cumulative GPA. Therefore, the applicant would need to be admitted under the 10% GPA exception, which requires the applicant to meet the requirements for the 10% exception, including achieving a passing score on a Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) prior to admission. [19 TAC §227.10(a)(3)(B)(i-ii)]
Q: If a student repeats a class and both grades are listed on the transcript, do we include both in the GPA calculation or only the highest grade?
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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