PREP Vision Statement: The PREP Allotment supports school systems in building talent pipelines that make their academic vision achievable by recruiting, preparing and mentoring teachers to drive student growth and improve teacher retention across Texas. 

 

[New]: PREP Allotment Guidebook Version 2 available October 23 

The PREP Program Allotment Guidebook will be live and available to download on Friday, October 23. The Guidebook will contain updated, detailed implementation information regarding the PREP Program Allotment as a whole, and PREP Grow Your Own, PREP Preservice (Residency, Traditional, Alternative) and PREP Mentorship programs individually. Visit the PREP Webpage for access to Version 2 of the PREP Guidebook.  

 

[Update]: Federal Funds can be used to supplement PREP  

TEA issued guidance in summer 2026 that stated federal funds could not be used for the $10,000 cost match for a resident teacher's pay as part of the PREP Residency Preservice Program. However, the US Department of Education has since clarified that federal funds may directly satisfy state-required PREP expenditures. Use of Federal funds with the PREP Program Allotment is allowed for the Residency Preservice match and may be used to supplement other allowable PREP activities. Please see the latest edition of the PREP Guidebook for more information. 

Note: Federal funds must be used only for activities that are allowable under the federal program that provides them. 

 

October 23: PREP Allotment Guidebook (Version 2) available on the PREP Webpage 

October 23: PREP Allotment funds begin flowing through the Foundation School Program (FSP). Districts can view their FSP payment schedules here. 

December 1: LASO Cycle 5 applications due 

PREP Office Hour Registration Link for November 18 

Wednesday, December 16th, 2:00-3:00 PM 

PREP Office Hour Registration Link for December 16 

 

[New in LASO Cycle 5]: PREP Traditional and Alternative preparation pathways are now eligible for funding opportunities through LASO Cycle 5. School systems are encouraged to explore how these funds can help strengthen educator pipelines and program outcomes.  

Visit the LASO 5 webpage for the complete webinar schedule, registration details, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and additional resources. 

 

[Reminder]: Previously Approved School Systems  

A school system does not need to reapply through LASO Cycle 5 for a PREP GYO, Residency, or Mentorship program if it was previously approved for that program through LASO Cycle 4 and meets all the following conditions:  

• Received from TEA an award announcement via the LASO Cycle 4 process  

• Submitted to TEA a PREP Verification of Participation form in summer 2026  

• Submitted to TEA a written partnership for the PREP program (GYO or Residency) for which the school system was previously approved; not applicable to Mentorship 

 

You can also visit the PREP webpage to view 2026-27 PREP participant counts. These counts reflect data entered in ECOS as of September 11, 2026, and are available in the PREP Tools, Resources, and Information section of the webpage 

 

PREP PRESERVICE CORNER: Residency, Traditional, and Alternative 

For LASO V, EPPs submitted an Intent to Apply form signaling their plans to offer the PREP Residency, Traditional and/or Alternative Routes beginning 2027-2028.  See the list of eligible EPPs HERE. Although an EPP has submitted their intent to offer the routes, each program must still receive SBEC approval by meeting all program requirements no later than July 2027.  This list of eligible EPP partners for the LASO V application will continue to be updated. 

It is strongly encouraged to choose more than one EPP partner to ensure program implementation in case a prospective partner EPP does not ultimately secure PREP approval by the July deadline. 

 

PREP GROW YOUR OWN (GYO) CORNER 

For those interested in applying to the newly launched LASO V application, this is a reminder that school systems should ensure that they have a written partnership agreement with an eligible IHE. Per PREP GYO rule and the PREP GYO Guidelines, school systems can only partner with a Texas bachelor’s degree-conferring public institution or a bachelor’s degree-conferring private IHE authorized by the THECB to operate in Texas. See list of eligible IHEs for PREP GYO. 

View the October 6, 2026, PREP Newsletter for additional details and resources. 

• PREP Allotment Web Page: Your central hub for PREP information, resources, and updates  

• LASO Cycle 5 Web Page: Stay connected with LASO 5 news, tools, and program updates 

• PREP Program Allotment Guidebook (Version 2 will be available October 23, 2026) 

• PREP Allotment Financial Planning Tool: Model estimated funding for GYO, Residency, and Mentorship 

• PREP Allotment Financial Planning Tool Walkthrough Webinar: Pre-recorded walkthrough with sample district scenario   

• TEA Subscribe Page: Sign up for this newsletter and other TEA communications