 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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Description
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Event Date & Time
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HB2 Implementation Webinars
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A series of Implementation Webinars designed to inform and support participants as they begin to access the services created by House Bill 2
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See below for dates, topics, and registration links.
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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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187 Bilingual Special Education
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Texas Test of Educator Proficiency (T-TEP) (pending SBEC action)
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Updated one pager anticipated Summer 2026
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Core with Fine Arts/Health/PE
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Core with Bilingual Education Spanish
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
New: Revised Observation Mid-Year Dataset
On March 27, 2026, TEA distributed the 2025-2026 Mid-Year Datasets. Through additional review we identified that the observation data for some EPPs contained values that did not accurately reflect updated ASEP policy. Specifically, the original calculations showed some probationary candidates with less than five clinical experience records as meeting the minimum number of formal observations per assignment. As a reminder, beginning September 1, 2024, all candidates completing an internship under a probationary certificate require a minimum of five observations per assignment, per 19 TAC $228.109.
TEA will email all impacted EPPs directly. The revised observation data for the impacted EPPs will be available through ShareFile by the end of this week. As a reminder, no action is required related to these Mid-Year Datasets. They are for informational purposes.
Reminder: Employment and Responsibility Dataset Distribution
Based on requests from the field, TEA makes datasets available to EPPs that contain five years of employment data for finishers. This is our sixth year of providing this data, and we have updated it to include the 2025-2026 employment data. These datasets include information including TEA ID, LEA of employment, Campus, Course Assignments, Population Served, and Pay. This data will become available through ShareFile by the end of this week.
EPPs will receive a notification email once the data has been distributed. Please review the ShareFile Access Instructions for access assistance to ShareFile. If you have any questions, please submit a Helpdesk ticket.
Please note - while much of this information is available in the Insight to Impact Dashboard, we know that some EPPs use this data in different ways, and we plan to continue this data distribution.
Updates related to the PREP Program Allotment
Reminder: PREP Program Allotment Guidebook
The PREP Program Allotment Guidebook is now live and available to download. The Guidebook has detailed implementation information regarding the PREP Program Allotment as a whole, and the PREP Grow Your Own, PREP Preservice Residency, and PREP Mentorship programs individually.
Reminder: HB2 Implementation Webinars
Do you have questions regarding the components of House Bill 2 and how to implement them? TEA will be offering a series of Implementation Webinars designed to inform and support participants as they begin to access the services created by House Bill 2. There are six webinars scheduled, and registration is required. Please use the registration links below to sign up for the webinars:
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Introduction to HB 2 Implementation
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PREP Routes in Action: Residency Route Requirements & Preparing for Implementation
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May 28, 2026 (date corrected)
Chapter 227, 228, & 230 Implementation: The Nuts & Bolts of HB2 Requirements
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PREP Route Nuts & Bolts: P-Alt Route Requirements
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PREP Route Nuts & Bolts: PREP Traditional Route Requirements
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PREP Training Content Overview
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DID YOU KNOW?
As you work with your school system partners regarding the Verification of Participation (VoP) form, remember that the school system is responsible for completing and uploading the VoP requirements. We are hearing from the field concern regarding the MOU requirement with the VoP. If the school system or EPP is waiting on school board or Office of General Counsel approval, you may upload the draft MOU to meet VoP requirements. The fully executed MOU will be required to be submitted to TEA by August.
With the PREP Residency Allotment beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, EPPs will need to be sure to enter their residency candidates into ECOS in a timely manner. If candidates aren’t entered, the school systems hosting them for their residency placements will be unable to receive PREP Allotment funding, which may negatively impact your candidates! Please work with your school system partners to enter candidates appropriately so that everyone can benefit from the PREP Allotment!
Updates related to Insight to Impact
New: Invitation to Attend I2I Training on the Employment and Retention Dashboard
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 3:00 - 4:00 PM CST, the TEA’s Insight to Impact (I2I) Dashboards Team will host the 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!
Reminder: Exam Pass Rates Training Video Posted
On Thursday, April 30, 2026, the I2I Dashboards Team hosted its latest training session on the Exam Pass Rates Dashboard. For those who missed the event, the team has you covered.
The recorded event video is now posted for members of the EPP community who would like to learn more about the steps needed to receive dashboard access, depending on roles pertinent to their work.
Feel free to share this video widely with your EPP community to ensure that all who are eligible and would benefit from using dashboard data to make programmatic decisions have appropriate access.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: What is the mental health, substance abuse, and youth suicide instruction requirement for EPP candidates?
A: An EPP is responsible for ensuring that all candidates receive required instruction in mental health, substance abuse, and youth suicide in accordance with Texas Education Code §21.044(c‑1). The instruction includes effective strategies, including de-escalation techniques and positive behavioral interventions and supports, for teaching and intervening with students with mental health conditions or who engage in substance abuse. This instruction must be delivered either through an institution of higher education (IHE) when the instruction is embedded within an approved degree plan, or through an approved provider when the instruction is not part of an IHE degree program. Regardless of the delivery method, the obligation to meet statutory and rule requirements rests with the EPP. The EPP must ensure the instruction is provided consistently and equitably to all candidates and may not require or allow candidates to independently locate or complete their own courses to satisfy this requirement. [19 TAC 228.57]
Q: Is the mental health, substance abuse, and youth suicide instruction required only for teacher candidates?
A: No. The requirement applies to all candidates seeking initial certification in any certification class, not just classroom teachers. This includes candidates for principal, superintendent, school counselor, educational diagnostician, and reading specialist certification, in addition to classroom teacher certification. [19 TAC 228.57]
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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