Welcome

Upcoming Events 

Educator Preparation Program Support 

Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management  
 

New: Reading Academies Webinar on Feb. 27th  
The Texas Reading Academies is a statewide professional development program that engages educators with high quality instructional strategies rooted in the Science of Teaching and Reading.  Teachers explore content knowledge, lessons, and classroom application for these literacy skills.  If you are interested in learning more about Reading Academies and potential future opportunities for EPPs, please sign up for the Reading Academies webinar on February 27, 2023 at 3pm.  

Webinar Sign up: Click Here 

Reminder: Save the Date! Insight to Impact Data Dashboards Launch 

Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 5, for a launch event for the Insight to Impact dashboards. This in-person event will feature demonstrations, technical support, and the launch of the Insight to Impact Academy – support materials for getting the most out of these dashboards. Please note that limited funding will be available to support EPP representatives in attending this event. More information here. Please continue to watch this space for updates! 

Reminder: New Report on Building Content Knowledge in Teacher Preparation 

Last week, the National Council on Teacher Quality released a report and data set about educator preparation and the building of candidates’ content knowledge. This report has data views at the individual preparation program level. We wanted to link to it as an FYI for our EPPs in Texas. Here is the report.  

Educator Standards and Testing   

Updates about SBEC, Rules, and Legislation   

Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.   

The SBEC held their February 2023 meeting on Friday, February 10th. The agenda for the meeting and the recording can be found on the SBEC Meeting webpage.  

New: Application for the Teacher Residency Educator Standards Advisory Committee 

During the February 10th meeting, the SBEC requested that TEA thoroughly and thoughtfully consider the essential components of a high-quality teacher residency. In preparation, should the SBEC pursue a residency class of certificate, TEA has open an application for participation in a Teacher Residency Educator Standards Advisory Committee.  

Please complete the Residency Educator Standards Advisory Committee Application by March 13th to be considered for participation. 

FAQs   

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

Q: My EPP would like to add a new certificate field. We are rated Accredited for 2022-2023. How do we request the needed material? 

A: If your EPP is rated Accredited and wishes to add a new certificate field, please send an email or Help Desk ticket to your Education Specialist assigned requesting the application material needed. We will send the material to you via email. Reference 19 TAC §228.10(d)(1) for the applicable TAC. Be sure that you are using the current application and discard any previous versions that may have old TAC references. The current application will have “Revised 1/15/2023” in the footer.  

Q: We have received requests for EPP Verifications from former candidates who are now standard certified and need an EPP Verification because they have moved out of state. How do we handle these requests? 

A: If the EPP Verification Form or Letter requires that an EPP Certification Officer complete the request, please do so. TEA staff will only complete EPP Verification Forms and Letters that require a Certification Officer signature if the EPP is closed. TEA has a process to complete EPP Verification Forms or Letters, but we only do so if the receiving state requires the verification from the State Agency (TEA). All other requests are sent back to the certifying EPP. Certification staff will only verify certificates and have a form that they complete for educators that request that information. 

TEA Updates 

Additional updates on initiatives and opportunities from the TEA.  

New Opportunities at the TEA:  

The Educator Quality team is hiring! Please see the role descriptions below for more information:  

Director of Educator Standards and Testing: The Educator Quality team at the Texas Education Agency is hiring a Director of Educator Standards and Testing to lead the strategic and operational oversight of the state’s educator testing program. Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates. See the link to learn more: http://tinyurl.com/4bucja65 

 Director of Strategic Staffing Models: The Educator Quality team at the Texas Education Agency is hiring a Director of Strategic Staffing Models to lead the development and execution of the state strategic staffing strategy that supports LEAs and EPP partners in the design and implementation of innovative staffing models that enable strong talent pathways. Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates. See the link to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/yp93266t 

 Educator Preparation Continuous Improvement Specialist: The Educator Quality team at the Texas Education Agency is hiring an Educator Preparation Continuous Improvement Specialist. The specialist will guide the development of resources and support to scale high quality educator preparation practices. Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates. See the link to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/45mkcy5b 

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.