 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: Creating Clinical Experience Records (CER) and Entering Observations
If your EPP has not started creating clinical experience records (CER) and observation records completed during the fall semester into ECOS, now is a good time to start completing that task. Please aim to enter your CER and observation data by March 20, 2026. This will ensure that your mid-year reports from TEA have the most up-to-date data in your reports. If you have no or limited data entered, there will be little information in these reports. TEA will upload mid-year data to ShareFile in late March or early April for each EPP. The Legal Authority or Primary Point of Contact will be informed via email when data has been loaded, along with instructions on how to access their data.
Reminder: PREP Partnership Agreement Office Hours
Following the PREP Kickoff Webinar held on February 18, 2026, TEA staff will be hosting office hours to help both LEAs and EPPs as they work together on completing the statutorily required partnership agreements. These will be “come and go” events; dates and times (with Zoom links) may be found below. These office hours are targeted towards LEAs and EPPs and will provide support with completing the partnership agreements.
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Friday, March 13th: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
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Tuesday, March 17th: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Friday, March 20th: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
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Tuesday, March 24th: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
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Friday, March 27th: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
Please note that the office hours originally scheduled for March 6th and 10th have been cancelled.
Updates related to Insight to Impact
New: I2I Dashboards Team Available to Attend EPP Events
The Insight to Impact Dashboards Team went on tour this February, hitting the road for a pair of educational events in support of the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) community. Before attending the BranchED Convening, the first stop on the road trip was Sam Houston State for its semi-annual “Data Day.” Check out the rest of the blog to learn more about the benefits of having TEA visit your campus for support and collaboration.
New: Earn Prizes for Completing the I2I Bingo Board
If you’re on staff at an EPP and you want to show off your superb analytics skills, here’s your chance! If you haven’t downloaded the Insight to Impact Bingo Card, make sure that you do! If you complete a bingo, you can win TEA recognition in the EPP Newsletter and prizes!
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, is ideal for a group activity, and is comprehensively designed to build your skills step-by-step through the entirety of the dashboards.
Email Stefan.Swiat@tea.texas.gov once you’ve completed your first row or column! Let’s see who the first person will be to complete a bingo or an entire blackout of their card!
Updates related to agency initiatives and opportunities
New: Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route (TTRPR) Applications Closed
The application to offer the Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route was recently opened for a final window in January/February. Due to upcoming changes to approval rules to meet legislative requirements of House Bill 2 passed by the 89th Texas Legislature, the TTRPR application process is now closed following the end of that window on February 23rd, 2026. Programs that applied during this window should anticipate communication regarding their application within two weeks of submission and should respond to any resubmission requests promptly. Questions can be directed to TEAteacherresidency@tea.texas.gov.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: Does a field supervisor need to hold a certificate in the same certification category as the candidate being supervised?
A: Not necessarily. According to 19 TAC §228.101(a)(8-9), a field supervisor must either: hold a valid certificate in the class (e.g., Teacher, Principal, School Counselor) in which they are supervising, or hold at least a master’s degree in the academic area or field related to the certification class being supervised. This means a field supervisor does not need to hold a certificate in the specific certification category.
Q: Are fingerprint background checks required for initial certification as a teacher, and then again when the educator applies for our principal program?
A: No, candidates are only required to fingerprint once.
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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