January 19, 2023
Texas Educator Preparation Programs Newsletter

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 

Educator Preparation Program Support 

Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management  
 

Reminder: Announcing the Newly Certified and Hired Dashboard 

The Newly Certified and New Teacher Hires Dashboard provides descriptions of the certification pathways of teachers entering the teacher labor market, and the connections between teacher preparation programs, certification pathways, and new teacher hires in Texas public schools.  

This suite of dashboards provides answers to several emergent questions, which are based on stakeholders, media and the general public interest. The dashboards will be publicly available in January 2023. The data behind the dashboards will be available for download. 

Reminder: Update to Insight to Impact Dashboards Launch 

The Texas Education Agency is developing the Insight to Impact (I2I) dashboards, which will be available at no charge, for educator preparation programs across Texas. The launch date has recently been shifted and is now scheduled for April 5, 2023. Upon launch, the Insight to Impact Academy website will be available with an assortment of interactive guides and on-demand videos to help you get the most out of the dashboards as you reflect and consider programmatic improvements. Please continue to watch the newsletter for updates and opportunities to learn more about these dashboards. 

Educator Standards and Testing   

Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing   

Reminder: Update to PASL Resubmission Window 

ETS now offers two task resubmission windows. Candidates who didn’t receive a passing score for the assessment are eligible to register to resubmit responses to Tasks 1, 2 and/or 3 for an additional fee. See Resubmitting Your Tasks. Candidates are allowed to resubmit two times to attempt to receive a passing score. Tasks may be resubmitted during the resubmission window immediately following the original submission or they may wait until the following window. The two-resubmission limit still applies. If candidates do not resubmit within this timeframe, candidates will have to register and pay to retake the assessment. See Dates and Deadlines to view the resubmission window. 

DID YOU KNOW?  

Registration closes on 01/12/23 at 10:59 p.m. CT for the PASL Task Resubmission Window #1. See Dates and Deadlines to view the resubmission window. 

Reminder: edTPA Updated Virtual Workshop and Webinar Calendar  

edTPA remains to be an option for candidates to complete as their pedagogical exam in lieu of the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam. Please see the new Spring 2023 edTPA Virtual Workshops and Webinars calendar linked here. The registration link for the upcoming edTPA Handbook and Rubric Deep Dive scheduled for Thursday February 9, 2023, can be found here.  

FAQs
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from EPPs. 

Q: How does my EPP address a situation where a certificate will not issue due to a Warning on the educator’s account? 

A: When there is a Warning on an educator’s account, even if the EPP made a recommendation, the certificate will not issue. The EPP needs to notify the educator and the educator needs to contact TEA Investigations thru the Fingerprinting Help Desk. There is a specific Help Desk for Applicants/Educators, and the educator can be assisted through that process. The educator can also contact Fingerprinting at 512-936-8400, Option 6 for assistance.

Resources at a Glance...   

Lesson Study Gateway Resources 

Practice based preparation resources for virtual field-based experience: Provides model lessons and video of instructional delivery.  

Texas Teach Like a Champion (TLAC)   

  

Texas TLAC One Pager for EPPs   

  

Practice based preparation resources for virtual field-based experience: Provides content neutral pedagogical skill building through observing a model of and practicing the same high leverage skill.    

PASL Videos 

ETS and TEA have worked together to create instructional videos to orient faculty, staff, and candidates to the requirements of the PASL test. Video one provides a general overview of PASL, its content, and scoring/reporting procedures. Video two provides a more in-depth overview of the tasks associated with the assessment. Full requirements, descriptions, and resources may be found in the PASL Candidate and Educator handbook.   

PASL Video One: https://vimeo.com/user127014634/download/669946029/6aa375f585

PASL Video Two:  https://vimeo.com/user127014634/download/669946067/750a97cbf9

TEA Dyslexia Training

TEALearn has a new dyslexia training, TEA Dyslexia, that has been made available (at no cost) to candidates who are seeking an initial certification for all certification classes. Information about the training and how to enroll can be found on the TEA Learn platform. NOTE: For candidates who have not yet been issued an intern, probationary, or standard certificate, please follow the steps noted on the webpage, Dyslexia Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs, to enroll in the course.   

If you need technical assistance please submit a TEALearn Help Desk ticket. For dyslexia course content questions, please send an email to specialeducation@tea.texas.gov. 

For More Information...   

Information regarding educator certification testing can be accessed at the Texas Educator Certification Exam website.   

Information and updates regarding the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) can be accessed at the Important Updates link.   

Updated information related to the COVID-19 response can be accessed here.   

To view previous editions of the weekly newsletter, please see the Texas Educator Preparation Program Weekly Newsletter webpage.  

Information regarding the current Texas certification exams can be found on the 2021-2022 Required Test Chart for Texas Certification. 

Educator account setup instructions can be found on the TEA’s Educator Certification Online System website. 

EPP Points of Contact   

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 their associated Education Specialist. 
  • For easiest assistance, file a HelpDesk Ticket.  
  • Or EPPs (and candidates) may call (512) 936-8400 and select Option #5: Educator Preparation Programs. If an Education Specialist is not available to answer the call at that time, please leave a voicemail. An Education Specialist will promptly return the call.  

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. 

  • Option 2: Educator Certification  
  • Option 3: Fingerprinting  
  • Option 6: Investigations
  • Option 8: General Office Information 

The Teal Account Access team and Educator Testing team are available through the Help Desk.
The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.