 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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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 EC-6
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Core with Fine Arts/Health/PE
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Core with Bilingual Education Spanish
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Core with ESL
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
Reminder: Special Education (SPED) EC-12 and Special Education Supplemental Certificate Replacement.
The Special Education EC-12 and Special Education Supplemental certificates are being replaced by the Special Education Specialist EC-12 certificate. The Special Education Specialist EC-12 exam 186 will replace both exams 161 and 163. The last date that a candidate was able to attempt the expiring exam(s) was 8/31/2025. The new exam launched 9/2/2025.
The last date a candidate can be recommended for certification using passing scores on exam 161 or 163 is 9/1/2026. Candidates for certification in Special Education EC-12 or in the Special Education Supplemental must meet all requirements and submit a complete application by 9/1/2026. Starting 9/2/2026, the Special Education Specialist EC-12 will require a passing score on exam 186. The latest data sets identifying candidates who have passing scores on one of the expiring tests but are not yet Standard certificate were uploaded into your EPPs ShareFile account on 5/20/2026. An email was sent to Legal Authorities and Certification Officers notifying them that the data was uploaded into ShareFile along with access instructions for Legal Authorities. This will be the last reminder before the Special Education EC-12 and Special Education Supplemental certificates expire. EPPs are strongly encouraged to reach out to the candidates identified in your data set and remind them of the deadlines and any local processes for securing a recommendation for certification.
Updates related to the PREP Program Allotment
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 Route Nuts & Bolts: PREP Traditional Route Requirements
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PREP Training Content Overview
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DID YOU KNOW?
Entering candidates into ECOS as soon as they’re identified helps keep our process running smoothly. Prompt entry ensures accurate tracking, supports data integrity, and enables faster, more efficient reviews and approvals.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
New: PASL Fall Registration Dates and Deadlines
ETS will update the PASL Fall 2026 Dates and Deadlines website later this summer with the dates below. Please email ETS at pasl@ets.org for any additional information.
Fall 2026 Dates and Deadlines
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Late Registration Deadline
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Task Late Submission Deadline
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Updates related to Insight to Impact
New: Video Training of Employment and Retention Dashboard Posted
Last week, the Insight to Impact Dashboards Team hosted a training session on the Employment and Retention Dashboards, running attendees through a demonstration and beneficial data exercise, and providing the EPPs with the ability to ask any questions. Although you may have missed the training, you can still check out the video recording on the Communications Updates webpage.
New: EPP Spotlight: The Sam Houston State Data Day Model
The Insight to Impact Dashboards Team hosted a Data Day Training Session in January that featured a panel of Education Preparation Program (EPP) leaders from across the state. As discussed at the January session, Data Days provide an opportunity for EPPs to build data skills, analyze data, and reflect on their data trends to determine next steps.
One of the panelists, Sam Houston State’s Dr. Casey Brown, shared a breakdown and detailed schedule of what her college’s Data Day looks like in the latest EPP Spotlight.
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: If FBE hours must occur after the candidate’s admission into the EPP, can EPPs no longer count FBE hours completed in university freshman or sophomore EPP courses, prior to formal admission into the EPP? [19 TAC §228.43(d)(4)]
A: The rules in 19 TAC §228.35(1-2) allow EPPs, including university and non-university programs, to accept some coursework completed prior to formal admission.
Q: For the 25 FBE hours that can be completed flexibly, do the teacher of record, substitute teacher, or aide roles need to be official positions? [19 TAC §228.43(d)]
A: Yes. The EPP must collect formal evidence that the candidate served in this role for the specified timeframe.
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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