 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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165 Bilingual Education Spanish Supplemental
EC-12 Exam Constructed Response Item (CRI) Deep Dive and Preparation Manual Overview Webinar
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The webinar will provide an in-depth look into the exam’s newly developed constructed response items (CRIs) and review the structure and content of the exam preparation manual.
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11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CST
Virtual
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Invitation to Attend I2I Training on the Employment and Retention Dashboard
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The Insight to Impact (I2I) Dashboards Team will host its latest I2I training, focusing on the Employment and Retention Dashboard.
The team will also review opportunities to assist EPPs in improving assist EPPs with improved data comprehension, analysis, and application within the I2I Dashboards.
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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: Mid-Year Data Set 2026 Training Now Available
The 2026 Mid-Year Data Set Training resources are now available on our EPP Training Events and Materials section of the Program Provider Resources page. EPPs can access the full PowerPoint slide deck along with a brief, 30‑minute recorded webinar that walks through how to interpret and use the mid-year data sets. The webinar provides practical guidance for reviewing data, identifying potential issues early, and taking next steps within ECOS.
Updates related to the PREP Program Allotment
DID YOU KNOW?
Because the funding for participation in the PREP Residency and PREP Grow Your Own pathways have been allocated by the Texas Legislature and IS NOT a grant, participating school systems and EPPs will not be required to complete paperwork normally associated with grant funding. The school system will verify participation with their EPP partners when they complete the Verification of Participation in May.
With PREP Residency and PREP Grow Your Own pathways beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, school system and EPP partnerships should be communicating regarding their partnership agreements. Examples and templates are available on the PREP Program Website. The completed documents will be uploaded by the school system as part of the Verification of Participation in May.
Information on all things related to PREP partnerships can be found by accessing the PREP Program Website. This website is updated regularly, so please bookmark it and check back on a regular basis! We also encourage you to register for the new PREP Program Newsletter.
Updates related to Insight to Impact
New: Invitation to Attend I2I Training on the Employment and Retention Dashboard
On Thursday, April 30, from 3-4 p.m. CT, the Texas Education Agency’s Insight to Impact (I2I) Dashboards Team will host its latest I2I training, focusing on the Employment and Retention Dashboard. The team will review the opportunities designed to assist EPPs with improved data comprehension, analysis, and application within the I2I Dashboards. The goal is to create a supportive community where EPPs can routinely share and tackle problems, provide insights and solutions, and receive value from the data.
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 look forward to having you attend the training!
This also marks an opportunity for EPP staff to claim a square on the I2I Bingo Card. 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 and is comprehensively designed to build your skills step-by-step through the entirety of the dashboards.
In addition, if you complete a bingo, you can win TEA recognition in the EPP Newsletter and prizes! Let’s see who the first person will be to complete a bingo or an entire blackout of their card! Download the bingo card now and register for the training!
We look forward to your attendance!
New: Treasure Hunt Prize Winner Announced
Recently, the I2I Team hosted a training on how to get the most out of the Candidate Characteristics Dashboard. To ensure that the lesson stuck, the team created a fun, interactive “treasure hunt” for EPP staff to practice finding actionable insights about their respective programs.
By accessing dashboards to locate specific data points, interpreting their meaning, and identifying at least one way to apply the insight to strengthen her EPP, University of Texas at San Antonio Assistant Director of Assessment and Program Accountability, Dr. Jessica McConnell, located her data treasure!
Not only does she receive this prestigious EPP Newsletter shout-out and a crisp high-five, but Dr. McConnell will also be the recipient of a TEA prize! We’re actually being serious when we say, “It’s already in the mail!”
New: Candidate Characteristics Dashboards Training Video Posted
For those who missed the Insight to Impact Dashboards Candidate Characteristics training last month, you’re in luck. The recorded event video is now posted for members of the EPP community who would like to learn more about utilizing the Candidate Characteristics dashboard as a tool within their respective EPP.
Feel free to share this video widely with your EPP community to ensure that all who would benefit from the Candidate Characteristics dashboard data receive it.
Updates related to agency initiatives and opportunities
Reminder: EPP Content Upgrades for PREP: Apply to Join the Content Review Focus Group
Educator Preparation Program (EPP) faculty, staff, and leaders are invited to apply to participate in the EPP Content Review Focus Group, part of the EPP Content Upgrades for PREP initiative. Participants will review newly revised Texas Reading and Math Academies content for EPPs, providing feedback on practice-based learning, usability in preparation coursework, and alignment to evidence-based instruction and the science of learning.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: Our EPP has recently been approved for the residency route (47) for specific certificates. What do we need to do to correct admission and enrollment records for admitted candidates who are transferring into the residency route?
A: If your EPP received approval from the SBEC to offer route 47 Residency (RSD), and you are transferring admitted candidates into the Residency route, the EPP does not need to change the admission record for candidates for the transferring candidates. The EPP should update the enrollment record on the Finisher Records List to reflect the correct route for those candidates.
Q: If a candidate in our EPP has requested in writing to change to a new certificate category, does our EPP need to create a new admission record for the new certificate category?
A: No, once a candidate is admitted, a new admission record is not required if the candidate is approved by the EPP to change to the new certificate category. The EPP should update the enrollment record on the Finisher Records List to reflect the correct certificate category. Note the requirements in 19 TAC §228.31(f) that must be met, effective 9/1/2024, for the EPP to approve a candidate to change to a new certificate category: 1) the candidate would meet the requirements for admission under 19 TAC §227.10 in the requested new certificate category; 2) the EPP provides coursework and training in the educator standards and test framework competencies related to the requested new certificate category; and 3) the EPP ensures that the candidate is adequately prepared to pass the appropriate content pedagogy examination(s) required for the requested new certificate category.
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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