 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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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
Reminder: 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.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
New: Public Comment Period Open: Commissioner of Education’s Rules Concerning the PREP Program Allotment (House Bill 2, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025)
The proposed new subchapter would establish rules concerning the Preparing and Retaining Educators Through Partnership Program Allotment, which was enacted by House Bill 2, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025. Public Comment opened on 1/23/2026 and closes 2/23/2026. As a reminder, this set of rules does not establish the educator preparation program requirements currently under discussion with State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). The proposed rules and public comment submission are accessible on the website.
Updates related to Insight to Impact
Reminder: 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: If the candidate is a finisher, does the EPP need to sign the test limit waiver form?
A: If a candidate is enrolled in your EPP or is a finisher of your EPP and needs a test limit waiver (TLW) signed, the EPP is responsible for signing off on the TLW application. This means that the EPP must review and approve the waiver request, ensuring that the candidate meets the necessary criteria and has completed the required educational activities. For more information, please visit the Test Limit- Waiver Information page on the TEA website.
Q: What are the expectations for granting test approval to students who have completed the program within one year? Can additional preparation still be required?
A: Candidates can receive test approval either when they meet the test readiness requirements set by your program or when they are identified as finishers of your program, whichever comes first [19 TAC §230.21(b) and 19 TAC §228.31(e)]. The recent update to 19 TAC §228.31(e) allows the EPP to require extra coursework or preparation before granting test approval to a finisher who returns one year or more after completing the program and requests test 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 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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