 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.
You may subscribe to the newsletter or access previous editions
using the links below:
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Topic
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Description
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Event Date & Time
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English as a Second Language 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 Framework.
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1:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST
via ZOOM
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Join PREP Office Hours for support with key implementation tasks, including:
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ECOS data entry support for Spring 2027 start dates
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General PREP implementation questions
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Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
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LASO Cycle 5 Webinars: Register for Upcoming Sessions
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EPPs are encouraged to register for upcoming LASO Cycle 5 webinars to prepare for the next cycle and better understand how PREP programs will be presented to school system partners. Webinar sessions will include:
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PREP Preservice: Residency, Traditional, and Alternative
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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: ASEP Reporting Year 2025-2026 is Closed
Thank you to our EPP partners for completing ASEP reporting by 5:00 PM CDT on Tuesday September 15, 2026, and for submitting all RFEs on time.
TEA is in the process of reviewing your submitted RFEs and expects to have them back to your EPP by late September. Once they are reviewed, the assigned EPP Program Specialist will return the completed RFE to your EPP. If you have any questions, please submit a Help Desk ticket.
Updates related to the PREP Program Allotment
Update: LASO Cycle 5 is now open! Register for Upcoming Webinars
LASO Cycle 5 applications opened September 23rd. EPPs are encouraged to register for upcoming LASO Cycle 5 webinars to prepare for the next cycle and better understand how PREP programs will be presented to school system partners. Webinar sessions will include:
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PREP Preservice: Residency, Traditional, and Alternative
Reminder: COE Stakeholder Feedback Invitation
TEA Staff is currently working on updates to the Commissioner of Education (COE) rules regarding the implementation of the PREP Preservice Routes, including the new Preservice Traditional and Preservice Alternative routes, in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC).
EPPs are invited to participate in this stakeholder feedback event that will take place on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 12:30 PM.
Reminder: PREP OFFICE HOURS
EPPs can join office hours for an opportunity to ask questions and receive implementation support.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Submit your questions through the PREP Help Desk at any time. Include enough detail to assist the team with identifying the issue. Screenshots or documentation may be helpful when reporting ECOS issues.
Visit the PREP Allotment webpage to find helpful program information, guidance documents, resources, and updates.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
Reminder: 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. 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: EPP Spotlight: Texas A&M Texarkana Embraces Observation Tool
As members of the Texas Education Agency’s Data Governance Committee, representatives from Texas A&M University–Texarkana volunteered for a small pilot program offered by the Insight to Impact Dashboards Team to test the Observation Tool.
Texarkana Instructor of Education Dr. Debora Shidemantle and Certification Coordinator Amy Miller have been seeking to fill a major gap in the program’s continuous improvement efforts. Learn more in this EPP Spotlight about how their institution intends to do that with the Observation Tool.
Also, if you're interested in using the new Observation Tool, you can request your roles in TEAL and begin entering your observations for 2026-27 as of Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Reminder: Register Now for the CSOTTE Conference
CSOTTE, which is dedicated to the support and refinement of professional preparation and development programs for all certified school personnel in Texas, is hosting its annual conference October 11-13, 2026, in Denton, Texas.
As the voice of the education profession in all matters related to state and national educator preparation and certification in Texas, registration for the CSOTTE Conference is available today. The Insight to Impact Dashboards Team will be on hand to offer specific training for the EPP Community, so register now!
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs.
Q: Since the first formal and informal observations must occur within a designated time at the beginning of the residency, can in-service days before the first instructional day be counted as part of this designated timeframe?
A: No. Per 19 TAC §228.101(b)(7), the first informal observation must occur within the four weeks of the residency assignment. Per §228.103(b)(1), two formal observations must be conducted during each semester of the residency. Both requirements are tied to the residency assignment start date, which, per 19 TAC §228.2(5), is defined as the first day of instruction with students.
Q: 19 TAC §228.101(b)(8) and 19 TAC §228.105(d)(4) require that the field supervisor provide “written feedback” to campus-based candidate support personnel. What constitutes “written feedback”?
A: Per 19 TAC §228.105(d)(3) and 19 TAC §228.101(b)(5)(E), field supervisors are required to provide written feedback post-formal and informal observations. Per 19 TAC §228.101(b)(8) and 19 TAC §228.105(d)(4), this written feedback should be provided to the specified campus support personnel. “Written feedback” can be emails, handwritten notes, forms developed by the EPP, or whatever data capture tool that facilitates effective completion of this process.
Your best source for information and support at the TEA.
As an Educator Preparation Program, your main point of contact is your Education Specialist.
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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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