 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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Thursday,
December 11, 2025
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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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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: Entering Observations and Updating Candidate Records
As we near the end of the fall semester, please take some time to update candidates’ records with the formal observations completed to date. Formal observations must be reported for all candidates in all classes and routes. Please also remember to update the finisher status in ECOS for candidates who have completed all requirements and are now “finishers”. Entering data generated for candidates throughout the year supports efficient and accurate data reporting. If you need assistance, please first refer to Ongoing Reporting in ECOS, pp. 22-47 of the 2024-2025 Technical Manual, available on the Program Provider Resources page of the TEA website. If you still need assistance, please submit a Help Desk ticket to the Data Reporting Help Desk, and we will be happy to assist you.
Reminder: 2024-2025 ASEP Recommended Accreditation Status Letters
TEA issued notification letters to inform all EPPs of their recommended accreditation status on November 21, 2025, for the 2024-2025 academic year. This year, EPPs received two separate letters; the first was a notification of the ASEP result, and the second was a notification of the certification class or category result. These letters were distributed to the Legal Authority or Point of Contact. To learn more about how the ASEP statuses were determined, please review the ASEP manual. ASEP statuses will be presented to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) for approval at their February 13, 2026, meeting.
Reminder: Recommendation for the Enhanced Standard Certificate
Candidates pursuing an Enhanced Standard certificate through a Residency (RSD) route must complete one full school year (at least 750 hours), including the first and last instructional day with students [19 TAC §228.65(a)(1)]. To recommend an Enhanced Standard certificate, all four performance gates must be entered into the Performance Gates Records section in ECOS, and the candidate must be listed as a finisher in the RSD route. An ERROR message will result, and the Enhanced Standard certificate will NOT issue, if the EPP recommends the certificate and this information is not entered into ECOS.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: Core EC-6 (TX491) Framework Overview Webinar
The 491 Core EC-6 Framework Overview Webinar will guide programs through an overview of the updated Core EC-6 exam framework, closely examine shifts to the exam format, new content fields, and timeline, and provide programs an opportunity to exchange resources and discuss course/curriculum problems of practice via Padlet. TEA staff will also provide additional details regarding the application requirements for the new exam offerings. We strongly encourage those faculty or staff who will be responsible for supporting students or making programmatic changes to attend.
- Thursday, December 11, 2025 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM CST via Zoom
Updates related to Insight to Impact
New: Kickoff Survey Results: How EPPs Engage With the I2I Dashboards
Wondering how your peers are utilizing the Insight to Impact Dashboards? Wait no further! The 2025 Insight to Impact Kickoff Survey results are in, so you can take a behind-the-scenes look at how your EPP peers are making the most of the I2I Dashboards.
Check out usage rates, data trends, wins, opportunities, data success stories, and more takeaways in this latest blog.
New: Dashboards Sign-up Event Video Posted
For those who missed the December 4 Insight to Impact Dashboards Sign-up Event, you’re in luck. A previously recorded sign-up event video was posted for members of the EPP community who would like to learn more about the steps needed to obtain dashboard access, depending on their roles and the work they perform.
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.
Updates related to agency initiatives and opportunities
New: Join Us for January Stakeholder Engagement
We value your voice in shaping the future of educator preparation. Please join us for one of our upcoming stakeholder engagement sessions:
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Wednesday, January 7th from 1:30 – 3:30 PM via ZOOM
- Monday, January 12th from 2:00 – 4:00 PM via ZOOM
Your input is essential as we work together to strengthen continuous improvement efforts. Mark your calendar and make a difference!
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: If an applicant completed an undergraduate degree in a foreign country and then completed a graduate degree in the United States? Is the applicant required to take TOEFL?
A: No, in this case, the applicant met requirement (A) in 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5), which provides that English language proficiency may be evidenced by completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or one of its territories.
Q: Do we need to approve the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) for applicants before admission?
A: No, a TX PACT exam does not require prior EPP approval.
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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