August 3, 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.   

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Educator Preparation Program Listserv Registration 

Upcoming Events

 

Topic   

Description

Event Date and Time

ASEP Reporting 2022-2023 Webinar 

Information for EPPs about state reporting for 2022-2023. Use this registration link. 

Thursday, August 3, 2023 

10:00 am CDT 

Upcoming Deadlines

 

Topic   

Action Item   

Due Date   

Educator Standards Redesign Standards Advisory Committee Application  Applicants should complete the linked Advisory Committee Application. 

Friday, August 25, 2023 

EPP Commendations Category 4: Innovative Educator Preparation 

Please see the call and related instructions on the Program Provider Resources Page. 

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 

Educator Preparation Program Support
Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management


Countdown to ASEP Reporting 

To assist EPPs with completing ASEP Reporting with ease, we have developed weekly reminders for EPP staff who work on ASEP Reporting. Each week, you will receive a weekly reminder in this Newsletter that will include a timely task that will lead to successful completion of data reporting by September 15. Please remember that the Technical Manual published on the Program Provider Resources page on the TEA website is a wonderful ‘how to’ resource for using the various functions needed for reporting in ECOS and contains some useful tips for problem solving, if needed. 

New: Week 4 ASEP Task Reminders 8/3-9/2023 Update the Finisher Records List 

1. Verify that all 2022-2023 finishers are correctly listed on the Finisher Record List (FRL) with a status of “Finisher” (F). If a finisher is on the FRL for certificate categories they are not finishing, please be sure to remove those certificate categories from the list for the candidate. 

2. If candidates left your EPP without finishing requirements during the year 2022-2023, be sure that you have removed them from your Finisher Records List (and that you have removed their test approvals). Once ASEP closes, you will not be able to make any changes to the FRL.

3. Additionally, remember to review the candidates from your mid-year data set that have been enrolled for 5 or more years and remove any from your 2022-2023 list that are no longer actively enrolled. Note: Candidates that are removed will need to apply and be admitted if they want to work with the EPP in future. 

Reminder: Week 3 ASEP Task Reminders 7/26-8/2/2023 Complete all admission reporting  

1. Verify that each candidate admitted in 9/1/2022-8/31/2023 has an accurate admission record. Verify all required admission data has been included in the record. If you need to update a record, you can do so manually or by bulk upload.  

2. EPPs can download admission data in ECOS into a spreadsheet to help verify the admission data that has been reported to date.  

3. Remember: Admission records for candidates admitted in 2022-2023 cannot be created after 8/31/2023 except for candidates admitted in the last week of August. Those records can be entered until ASEP locks on 9/15/2023. 

4. Be sure to review the 2022-2023 Technical Manual on the Program Provider Resources page. It is located under Forms and Documents. This is a helpful resource as it provides useful information needed to complete ASEP Reporting.  


Reminder: Week 2 ASEP Task Reminders 7/19-26/2023 

1. Ensure that TEA has your updated EPP Contact Information.  

2. Each EPP should have one Legal Authority or Primary Point of Contact and at least one Backup Legal Authority. If you have recently had a change in these staff, please contact your Education Specialist assigned and we will send you the template so you can request the changes to be made in TEA records. 

3. Each EPP must have a Primary Title II Pearson and Title II IPRC contact and should have a Secondary contact for each, if possible. Ensure TEA has these current contacts. The following organizations must also have current contact information for your Title II contacts:  

  • es-titleii@pearson.com 
  • Title2@rti.org 
4. Make sure that the following contacts are correct (your assigned TEA specialist can provide you a list of contacts that we have on file for your EPP): 
  • Your LBB contact if you are a college or university.  

  • The staff that handles your data.  

  • The staff that receives your EPP ASEP Invoices. 

  • The staff, other than your Legal Authority, that may need to receive Accreditation Letters. 

To verify and/or update contacts with TEA, please contact your Education Specialist. 

Reminder: Week 1 ASEP Tasks 7/12-19/2023:  

1. Know your assigned Education Specialist. This is the TEA staff member that you will need to reach out to when you have questions about ASEP Reporting. The EPP specialist assignment list is published on the Program Provider Resources page under Forms and Documents. Your Education Specialist is one of five staff members: 

  • Lorrie Ayers, Director 

  • Vanessa Alba 

  • Irene Chacon 

  • Linda Mott 

  • Keena Sandlin 

2. Become familiar with the Help Desk which EPPs should use for all questions related to ASEP Reporting. Your Education Specialist will address your EPP’s questions in the Help Desk. We are in the Help Desk under the Educator Testing and Preparation Programs tile: 

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3. Review the 2022-2023 Technical Manual on the Program Provider Resources page. It is located under Forms and Documents. This is a helpful resource as it provides useful information needed to complete ASEP Reporting. 

4. Register for the ASEP Reporting 2022-2023 webinar on Thursday, August 3 at 10:00 am central. The webinar will provide useful information and reminders about state reporting processes and tips to improve the reporting experience. Please find the link in the Upcoming Events section above. 

New: Reporting Applied Counts via ECOS 

One of the updates that TEA IT has been able to make this year for ASEP reporting is creating a portal for reporting Applied counts in ECOS. Previously this reporting required EPPs to download a spreadsheet from the website, fill it out, and submit it. You can now submit these numbers directly in ECOS. 

Please see the updated Technical Manual with information about this report. Additional information will be provided during the ASEP webinar. We are excited to simplify this step in your annual reporting! 

Educator Standards and Testing
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing

Reminder: Educator Standards Redesign Standards Advisory Committee Application  
During the July 21, 2023 SBEC meeting, TEA staff discussed with the SBEC the need to form the Teacher Pedagogy and ELAR and Math Content Educator Standards Advisory Committees. These committees will work to draft educator standards that are responsive to recent legislation including HB 159 and SB 226, 87th Legislative Session, 2021 and HB 1605, 88th Legislative Session, 2023.  

TEA staff is currently seeking committee member applications from the SBEC, professional organizations, educator preparation programs, teacher organizations, and other key stakeholders to ensure the selection represents a comprehensive group of highly qualified educators. The application submission period begins on July 24, 2023 and ends August 25, 2023.  

The application for the Teacher Pedagogy and ELAR and Math Content Educator Standards Advisory Committees provides information about each committee in addition to a timeline for standards drafting. Access the application by selecting the link- https://forms.office.com/r/gFisJFqbFN.  All applications should be submitted via the application link on or before the August 25, 2023 deadline.  

*TEA staff plan to review applications and recommend committee members to the SBEC for approval at the upcoming September 29, 2023 SBEC meeting. 

Educator Preparation and Certification
Updates related to Educator Preparation and Certification 

Reminder: Candidates must contact EPP advisor for recommendation status 
Educator Preparation and Certification is receiving a high volume of help desk ticket submissions from EPP candidates related to the status of their certificate recommendation and/or issuance.  EPP advisors, please remind candidates to contact you directly with questions and concerns regarding the status of recommendation and issuance of their certificate. 

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

Q: When I report the APR Applied number during state reporting, who is included in this number? 

A: EPPs will report the number of people who applied (applicants) for all programs and all routes within the EPP during the reporting year. EPPs report the total number of applicants across all programs and routes, as well as the number of applicants for all programs and routes in each demographic group. For example, if the EPP is approved for a Teacher program and a Principal program, then the total number of Teacher applicants and Principal applicants is reported. If the EPP has an active post baccalaureate route and an alternative route for the Teacher program and the Principal program, the total number of applicants to those routes is included in the number “Applied”.  

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, please submit a Help Desk ticket to Preparation Programs.   

  • 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.  

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. 

  • 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. Links to both teams are below. 

  • TEAL Account Access Help Desk  

  • Educator Testing 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.