  PREP Program Allotment Newsletter
Welcome to the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnerships (PREP) Program Allotment newsletter! This newsletter will provide important resources and timelines supporting the implementation of the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnerships (PREP) Program Allotment. Each issue will include action items, upcoming milestones, resources, and answers to common questions as PREP moves from award to implementation.
PREP was established by House Bill 2 (89th Texas Legislature) to strengthen the quality of teacher recruitment, preparation, and mentorship across the state. Participation is optional for eligible districts and open-enrollment charters, and funding is provided through the Foundation School Program — this is formula funding, not a competitive grant.
You are receiving this newsletter because you were listed as one of the contacts on your school system’s LASO IV PREP Program Allotment application, or you expressed interest in the program. If you have colleagues who should receive this newsletter, please forward and encourage them to subscribe at the TEA webpage.
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General Overview of PREP Programs |
PREP Grow Your Own (GYO)
Supports school systems in developing their own talent pipeline by funding current employees (such as paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, or other staff) to earn a bachelor’s degree and enroll in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). GYO helps school systems address staffing needs with people who already know the community and culture.
Funding: School Systems receive $8,000–$12,000 per employee for up to 40 employees per year, with the exact amount varying by school location and socioeconomic need. Funding is split with 50% as an initial payment and 50% after the employee earns a bachelor’s degree and enrolls in an EPP within three years.
Note: GYO requires a paired PREP Preservice Residency approval (TEC §21.906(c)). For LASO Cycle 4, GYO applicants must also be approved for the PREP Preservice Residency Program to participate in GYO.
PREP Preservice Residency
Funds yearlong, clinically intensive residency experiences for teacher candidates. Residents complete at least 750 hours of clinical teaching under the supervision of a trained host teacher, preparing them for the classroom with real instructional experience before they become the teacher of record. School systems partner with an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and may support up to 40 residents per year at the full Residency funding level. If the total number of residents exceed 40, the school system is eligible for funding of up to 80 additional residents at the Traditional/Alternative Preservice Residency funding level.
Funding: $24,000–$39,500 per resident for the first 40 residents (varies by school location and socioeconomic need). An additional $2,000 is available per resident seeking certification in bilingual education or special education. School systems with more than 40 residents may fund up to 80 additional residents at the Traditional Preservice/Alternative allocation rate of $10,000 - $21,000 per resident (amount varies by school location and socioeconomic need). The school system must ensure that all residents, regardless of funding rate, are paid at a minimum of $20,000 (TEC §21.904(c)).
PREP Mentorship
Provides annual funding for school systems to establish or strengthen mentorship programs for beginning teachers. Mentors must complete Texas Mentorship Training (TMT) and are assigned beginning teachers with defined caseload ratios based on the mentor teacher’s role. School systems must provide all mentors with a stipend of at least $1,000 as defined under proposed §153.1305 (d) (1) (A).
Funding: School systems are funded $3,000 per beginning teacher (up to 40). This funding must be allocated as mentor stipends and the remaining funds to support program quality.
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Upcoming Milestones |
Below are key upcoming milestones for PREP Implementation. Mark these dates and share with your team.
March 27: PREP Allotment Planning Tool released on TEA PREP web page
Target Audiences: CFO, business offices, PREP coordinators
Late March/Early April: PREP Allotment Planning Tool Walkthrough webinar
Target Audiences: CFS, PREP coordinators, superintendents
Early April: Partnership agreement resources for Residency and GYO
Target Audiences: PREP coordinators, superintendents
April 13: Preview of Verification of Participation (VoP) form posted on TEA PREP web page
Target Audiences: Superintendents, HR/PREP coordinators, CFO
April 20: PREP Guidebook published on TEA PREP web page
Target Audiences: all district and EPP staff involved in PREP implementation
May: Commissioner of Education Rules for PREP Program Allotment effective
Target Audiences: all district and EPP staff involved in PREP implementation
May 1 - May 31: Verification of Participation window open
Target Audiences: Superintendents and PREP coordinators
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Resources and Supports |
PREP Web Page: Central hub for PREP information, resources, FAQ, and updates.
PREP Kickoff Webinar Recording
PREP Kickoff Webinar Slides
PREP GYO In-Kind Supports: School systems may sign up for the upcoming interest webinars to learn more about optional in-kind supports for GYO implementation (registration links below).
Submit questions and access implementation support through the PREP Support Portal below.
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