PREP MOU Guidance
We understand that many of you are working with your school system partners to complete the requirements for participation in the PREP Residency program. We have received feedback from multiple school systems and EPPs expressing concern regarding the requirement that MOUs be completed and uploaded as part of the Verification of Participation (VoP) process to be completed by May 31st. TEA staff is advising school systems and EPPs who have MOUs that may not be completed due to school board and/or university verification processes in time for upload with the VoP to upload the draft version of their MOU with the VoP. Upon full completion, school systems will submit the signed MOU through an additional link (to be provided later).
PREP GYO In-Kind Supports
School systems participating in PREP GYO may engage in optional, free technical assistance for PREP GYO implementation from the Center for Reigniting the Educator Workforce (CREW). These supports are intended to aid school systems with developing a GYO pathway while meeting PREP GYO requirements and will include access to regional technical assistance webinars, a GYO planning toolkit, and monthly office hours. If interested, folks may register here to attend the first webinar of the series on April 29th at 9:30am.
What do I do with... Answering questions from the field
What should we do if our EPP cannot place any residents in fall of 2026?
With the anticipation of the implementation of the PREP Residency Program, it can be disappointing or discouraging if your EPP partner is unable to send any residents to your school system for the 2026-2027 school year. However[FA1] [FA2] [YM3] [JJ4] , don’t lose heart! You do not have to and should not “drop out” of the PREP Program! You can maintain your approval for the program while you work with your EPP for future recruitment; keep in mind, since all funding is generated by residency candidates, you will not generate PREP funding without residents. Successful residency partnerships require significant preparation for implementation, and good relationships take time. What may seem to be a setback may be a significant opportunity for your school system to engage in deep, meaningful discussions with your EPP partners on how you can be fully prepared to take on residency in your campuses. Use the upcoming school year to begin the cadence of governance with your EPP partners, engaging in discourse about what your needs as a school system are and how the EPP can help you meet those. Partnership [FA5] discussion topics may include:
- How will you fund the remaining portion of the resident’s salary, and what impacts does that have on the residents meeting their requirements in the Texas Administrative Code?
- Will the residents need to return to campus to work on coursework, and is there a day that would minimize the impact of their absence on your campuses?
- What steps do you want to begin to not only recruit residents for your school system but then sign on as teacher of record when they finish?
- All of these are questions that must be considered and discussed, and by staying the course during the upcoming year, you and your EPP partners will be better prepared to engage in a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship.
This is also an opportunity to identify which individuals within your organization might be good candidates for the Grow Your Own program. If you can steadily identify a group of potential residents within your own ranks, you may be able to self-supply a cohort of residents for your school system!
PREP Office Hours
Join us for our second PREP Office Hour Wednesday, April 29th at 2:00pm. There will be breakout rooms available for each PREP program, and you are welcome to pop in and out as you’d like. You can register here for the Office Hour session.
If you need to access information or resources about the PREP Program Allotment, visit the PREP Program Allotment web page or submit a question through the PREP Program Allotment Support Portal link below.
PREP Program Allotment Support Portal
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