 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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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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English as a Second Language Supplemental EC-12 Exam (254) Framework Overview Webinar
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The 254 ESL Supplemental EC-12 Exam Framework Overview Webinar will guide programs through an overview of the redesigned ESL Supplemental EC-12 Exam and Exam Framework.
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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
Reminder: 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.
Updates related to the PREP Program Allotment
New: PREP Guidebook
TEA Staff has developed an in-depth PREP Guidebook intended to provide information regarding steps EPPs and school systems will need to take to engage fully in the PREP Program Allotment in the 2026-2027 academic year.
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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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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....If you as the EPP are unable to provide resident candidates to a school system partner as part of the PREP Residency Program Allotment, the school system can STILL partner with your EPP during 2026-2027! A year without residents is an opportunity for the school system and EPP to undergo a design year and plan for residents in future academic years. Please encourage school system partners to maintain their engagment in the PREP Residency program. If a school system drops out of the PREP Residency program, they become ineligible to participate in the PREP Grow Your Own (GYO) Allotment.
.... EPPs and school systems partnering to participate in the PREP Residency and PREP GYO initiatives should be working on finalizing their partnership agreements for submission in the Verification of Participation (VoP) form on May 31st. While MOUs and partnership agreements have largely been the responsibility of the EPP to coordinate and report, participation in the PREP Program Allotment shifts that responsibility to the school system. If your MOU is still undergoing school board or Office of General Counsel review, the partner school system should submit the most updated draft version of the MOU to the VoP. The fully executed MOU will be submitted to TEA by the school system no later than August 2026.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: English as a Second Language Supplemental EC-12 Exam (254) Framework Overview Webinar
The 254 ESL Supplemental EC-12 Exam Framework Overview Webinar will guide programs through an overview of the redesigned ESL Supplemental EC-12 Exam Framework, closely examine shifts to the exam format, new content fields, and timeline, and provide programs an opportunity to exchange resources and discuss course/curriculum problems of practice via Padlet. The webinar will focus on providing information about the webinar; expect a lecture style engagement. We strongly encourage those faculty or staff who will be responsible for supporting students or making programmatic changes to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!
Updates related to Insight to Impact
New: Insight to Impact Dashboards Data Treasure Hunt: Employment and Retention
TEA will host an Insight to Impact Dashboards (I2I) training on how to get the most out of the Employment and Retention Dashboard on Thursday, May 28. To ensure that the lesson sticks, we created a fun, interactive “treasure hunt” for EPP staff to practice identifying actionable insights about their respective programs. Those who complete the treasure hunt and email TEA will not only be featured in the EPP Newsletter but also receive a prize (in addition to a hard-earned high-five)!
Reminder: 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!
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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