 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.
If you are not currently subscribed to the newsletter, please sign up at the link below.
Educator Preparation Program Listserv Registration
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Topic
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Description
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Event Date & Time
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What to Expect When
Your EPP Has a
Certificate Revoked
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Join TEA in this Zoom meeting if your EPP has had a certificate class or category revoked due to not meeting the performance standard of 75% as described in 19 TAC §229.4(a)(1)(C)
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Thursday,
January 22, 2026
1:00-2:00 PM CST
via ZOOM
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This training will delve into the creation of a Data Day, exploring what it is, how it can help, the planning behind one, how the I2I dashboards can assist, and potential positive outcomes.
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Thursday,
January 29, 2026
3:00 - 4:00 PM CST
via ZOOM
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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
New: Re-opening of Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route (TTRPR) Application Window
The application to offer the enhanced standard certificate through the TTRPR was temporarily closed due to ongoing SBEC rulemaking for Chapter 228 and related rules. This pause allowed TEA to engage with SBEC and assess anticipated changes to residency requirements and approval processes.
Due to sustained program interest, TEA is reopening the application for one additional window. This window opened on January 20th and will close on February 23rd, therefore, we encourage any programs who have not submitted an Intent to Apply and would like to offer a residency in 26-27 or 27-28 to submit the form as soon as possible. Any program who had previously submitted an Intent to Apply should have already received further details on continuing and submitting their application.
Reminder: Charter School Closures
The following charter schools are officially closing on the Effective Date and thus are no longer acceptable placements for candidates completing field-based experiences (FBE) or clinical experiences:
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Bloom Academy Charter School
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Bridgeway Preparatory Academy
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Meadowland Charter District
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Two Dimensions Preparatory Academy
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These LEAs will no longer appear in the drop-down menus for clinical experience records or intern/probationary certificate recommendation screens as of the Effective Date of closure. If your program has incomplete records that require access to one of these schools for data entry, please submit a help desk ticket to Preparation Programs, and the Educator Preparation team will assist you with your request.
Updates related to Insight to Impact
New: Unlocking the I2I Academy’s Resources
A complementary resource for Texas EPPs of all sizes, the Insight to Impact Academy is designed to empower EPPs to help create actionable data, implement practical protocols, and provide robust support for continuous improvement.
Getting started with the Insight to Impact Academy is straightforward and designed to support EPPs at every step. This latest blog demonstrates how you can immediately incorporate these resources from the Insight to Impact Academy into your workflow.
Candidate Characteristics
The known issue with the 2024-25 Candidate Characteristics dashboard pages has been resolved. This dashboard helps provide insight into candidate progression from “enrolled” to “completer,” reports on program demographics, and compares EPP enrollment, completion, and certification rates to state averages. For a full refresher on using this area of Insight to Impact, consult the comprehensive Candidate Characteristics section of the I2I Academy website.
Retention Tables
The known issue with the retention tables within the Educator Retention dashboard page has been resolved, and it now shows five years of data. The Educator Retention page details teacher retention rates for your EPP by certification type and first employed year. For a full refresher on using this area of Insight to Impact, consult the Educator Retention guide of the Employment and Retention section of the I2I Academy website.
Reminder: I2I Dashboards Team to Host Data Day Training
On Thursday, January 29, from 3-4 p.m. CT, the I2I Dashboards Team will host its latest training session to help improve data comprehension, analysis, and application at EPPs. This training will dive into the creation of Data Day: what it is, how it can help, the planning behind one, how the dashboards can assist, and potential positive outcomes.
Facilitated by the I2I Dashboards Team and featuring EPP leaders as panelists, this session’s goals are to offer another learning opportunity and help create a supportive community where EPPs can routinely share and tackle problems, provide insights and solutions, and receive value and benefits from the data.
Register here and 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 take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: When does the admission date need to be entered into ECOS?
A: The formal date of admission must be entered into the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) within 7 calendar days of the formal date of admission identified in the formal admission letter [19 TAC §227.17(e)].
Q: What if the applicant doesn’t return the admission letter in 7 days?
A: The 7-day rule applies to the EPP, not the applicant. According to 19 TAC §227.17(e), the EPP must enter the admission record into ECOS within 7 calendar days of the formal date of admission identified in the formal admission letter. The EPP may specify in the letter how long the applicant has to accept the offer and return the signed letter; however, the signed acceptance should be returned to the EPP on or before the formal date of admission.
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 Education Specialist Assignments.
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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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