 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
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Description
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Event Date & Time
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186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 Constructed Response Item Deep Dive Webinar and Work Session
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The 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 CRI Deep Dive Webinar and Work Sessions will provide programs an overview of the constructed response item, including the CRI prompt and exhibits candidates can expect to engage with on the exam. Programs will also have an opportunity to work in collaborative groups to review sample CRI responses, share best practices for candidate success on the constructed response item, and discuss curriculum updates. These two identical sessions will be highly interactive! Attending and/or viewing the 186 Preparation Manual Overview webinar prior to work session attendance is strongly encouraged.
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9:00-11:00 am CT,
via Zoom
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Certification Officer Training
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The in-person Certification Officer Training will be conducted in one full-day session.
The in-person training is limited to 35 participants.
In this training, we will cover essential aspects of certification officer responsibilities, including admissions processes, clinical experiences, candidate observations, test approvals, compliance protocols, data reporting, and resources & contacts available through TEA.
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William B. Travis Building, 1701 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
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Certification Officer Training
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The online Certification Officer Training will be conducted in one full-day session. In this training, we will cover essential aspects of certification officer responsibilities, including admissions processes, clinical experiences, candidate observations, test approvals, compliance protocols, data reporting, and resources & contacts available through TEA.
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Virtual Training
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Updates related to Educator Preparation Program Management
New: EPP Map Updated
The EPP interactive map is now updated to reflect new changes to approved preparation programs. This cycle update included the addition of newly approved EPPs, designation of SBEC-approved Texas Teacher Residency Providers, inclusion of “doing business as” (dba) names for EPPs, updated employment data of EPP graduates, changes in approved certificates, and EPP address changes.
Please submit a Help Desk ticket to report EPP change in address, telephone number, website, or if your EPP had certificates removed from inventory so that we can include it in the next quarterly update.
Reminder: ASEP Reporting Mid-Year Check-Ins Reminder
As a reminder, all Legal Authorities and Primary Point of Contacts have now had access to your mid-year data for a few weeks and have had time to review the data. Education Specialists will soon be contacting some EPPs to schedule meetings to discuss your data. The purpose of the check-ins is to discuss five-year enrollment data for candidates that appear to be inactive, pass rates for PPR & content exams, and observation data, as applicable. If you have not yet had an opportunity to review it or are not sure that you understand it, we are happy to assist you. If you are not contacted, but would like to meet with your Education Specialist, please contact them directly to schedule a meeting.
Reminder: Insight to Impact Communications
The Insights to Impact Dashboards Data Governance Committee hosted its quarterly meeting on April 30, 2025, reviewing the Texas Education Agency’s updated communications plan for the Insight to Impact Dashboards. Our primary objective is to shine a spotlight on the solutions that the dashboards enable EPPs to accomplish, while informing users of updates, helpful content tips, and upcoming training opportunities throughout the next year.
In addition to the plan’s goals and objectives, the presentation features a timeline, cadence, training topics and a content calendar. Check out the EPP Newsletter for continuous updates and visit the entire April presentation to learn more.
Updates related to Educator Standards and Certification Testing
Reminder: 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 CRI Deep Dive and Work Session Option 2
Thank you to the 95 participants who attended the first 186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 CRI Deep Dive and Work Session earlier this month. This session provided participants with an overview of the constructed response item included on the 186 Special Education Specialist exam, including the candidate assignment, exhibits included with the constructed response item, and scoring rubrics. Participants then spent most of the session working in small groups to review and analyze sample candidate responses to identify the qualities and characteristics of a strong response.
A second, identical session will be held Monday June 16th, 2025, from 9:00-11:00 am CT. Registration information can be found above. An overview of the session, including preparation reminders, has been provided below. We hope to see you there!
186 Special Education Specialist EC-12 CRI Deep Dive and Work Session
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Engage with an overview of the constructed response item on the exam, including CRI charge and exhibits candidates can expect to engage with
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Review the scoring rubric for the constructed response item
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Work in collaborative groups to review sample responses and determine the qualities and characteristics of strong candidate responses
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Welcome and Context Setting (9:00-9:07)
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Small Group Work (9:30-10:55)
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To prepare for your collaborative small group work:
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Review sample CRI responses for each of the four score points (1-4) included in the preparation manual
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Reflect on the following guiding questions:
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What differences do you see between each of the sample responses?
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What do you notice about how each response utilizes data from the provided exhibits?
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What does each response tell us about what the candidates know and can do?
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How might you think about supporting your candidates as they prepare to complete a CRI?
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Reminder: PASL Dates and Deadlines
ETS will update its Dates and Deadlines for the PASL Assessment website with Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 dates on July 14th. The Fall 2025 dates are found below.
Fall 2025 Dates and Deadlines
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Late Registration Deadline
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Task Late Submission Deadline
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Updates related to actions by the State Board for Educator Certification, the State Board of Education, and the Legislature.
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Require all special education teachers To hold a valid special education certificate
Updates related to agency initiatives and opportunities
New: 2025-2026 Discipline and Behavior Supports Grant Opens Soon! Exciting news! The 2025-2026 Discipline and Behavior Supports Grant will be open for applications starting June 2nd on the TEA Grants Opportunities webpage! This grant is available to all Regional Education Service Centers, Institutes of Higher Education, and other Nonprofit Organizations committed to advancing effective student-centered behavior interventions that drive meaningful outcomes. The purpose of the grant opportunity is to develop training and technical assistance resources that effectively impact students with significant behavioral challenges, along with the school systems that support those students. The application window will close on August 1, 2025.
There will be a soon-to-be scheduled FAQ/Webinar for potential applicants. In the meantime, if there are any questions about the Discipline and Behavior Supports Grant application or its process, please email: SpecialEducation@tea.texas.gov
We take this space to highlight questions that we have heard from .
Q: Do experience hours as a Teacher of Record count as "inactive" field experience rather than "active" field experience?
A: Yes, per 19 TAC §228.43(d), up to 25 clock-hours of the total 50 clock-hours of field-based experiences may be provided, under the direction of the EPP, by:
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use of electronic transmission or other video or technology-based method;
- service as a teacher of record;
- service as an educational aide; and
- service as a substitute teacher.
Q: If a candidate is admitted to the EPP prior to the effective date of September 1, 2024, do they need to meet the new 50-hour FBE requirement?
A: No. Candidates who were admitted into the EPP prior to September 1, 2024, may meet the requirements under Legacy Chapter 228 (30 hours). The updated requirements apply to candidates admitted to the EPP after September 1, 2024. As EPPs complete program revisions to coursework and FBE requirements, they may find it easier to transition all candidates to the new requirements regardless of admission date. This is acceptable.
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 assigned Education Specialist.
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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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