 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
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: EPP Interactive Map
The EPP interactive map has been redesigned, transitioning from ArcGIS to Power BI to deliver an improved user experience and more intuitive navigation. The EPP map is now available on the TEA website, and is linked from several TEA webpages, including the Consumer Information About EPPs webpage.
The updated map has also been reworked and divided into three dedicated views, each offering a clearer, more focused view of the information it presents. The 3 pages are: EPP Map Explorer, Teacher Preparation and Employment, and EPP Overview. We appreciate the feedback from the field that helped to shape this new version.
Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
Reminder: 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
New: Data Day Training Materials Posted
On Thursday, January 29, the I2I Dashboards Team hosted our latest training session and interactive panel on creating and implementing a “Data Day.”
Teach Us Executive Director of Academic Programs Dr. Lecia Eubanks, Lone Star College’s Executive Director of Education Preparation Rebecca Saiz, and Sam Houston State University’s Associate Dean for Academic Assessment & Accountability Dr. Casey Brown provided their respective insights on what a Data Day is, how it can help faculty and staff become more comfortable with using this type of data, best practices for planning the day, how the I2I dashboards can be a key support, and potential positive outcomes. 87 EPP staff members attended the training session.
For those who missed the event, the I2I Dashboards Team has you covered. EPP community members interested in learning how they can host a Data Day at their respective organizations can check out the recorded event video.
In addition, you can review this takeaway document, complete with questions, answers, and a transcription of the training session.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: How does the EPP determine if a candidate is ready to test?
A: An EPP is responsible for ensuring that each candidate is adequately prepared to pass the appropriate examination(s) required for certification. To achieve this, every EPP must have a documented policy outlining the specific requirements that candidates must fulfill before being granted test approval [19 TAC §228.31(c-d)]. For example, an EPP may determine a candidate’s readiness to test by requiring successful completion of certain coursework and/or achieving a qualifying score on a program-aligned practice exam.
Q: If a candidate receives test approval but does not take the test, and the standards change later, can the EPP delete previous test approvals?
A: If the exams or standards change, the EPP should remove the old exam approvals to avoid confusing candidates who see the approvals in their Educator accounts; however, there is an automated feature in ECOS that will periodically remove old exams (“SBEC Removed”).
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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