Program Provider Resources

This page provides information to educator preparation programs (EPPs). Individuals seeking information about the performance of approved EPPs should visit Consumer Information about Educator Preparation Programs.

Educator Preparation Curriculum

State Board for Educator Certification

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) was created by the Texas Legislature in 1995 to recognize public school educators as professionals and grant educators the authority to govern the standards of their profession. The SBEC oversees all aspects of the preparation, certification, and standards of conduct of public school educators.

The SBEC's Effective Preparation Framework 1.0

The SBEC’s Effective Preparation Framework (EPF) aims to define the highest leverages practices effective Texas educator preparation programs strive to implement daily. The EPF has been developed in response to a desire from the SBEC and the field to define a Texas vision for high-quality educator preparation and support EPP continuous improvement. Since Spring 2021, TEA staff has collaborated with the SBEC and stakeholders to develop EPF 1.0, a framework that distinguishes effective preparation practices that yield improved outcomes for school children, future educators, local school districts, and EPPs.

We are happy to announce the launch of the Effective Preparation Framework (EPF) website. Please visit the EPF Website for more detailed information about the EPF.

EPP Governance

All EPPs must follow the requirements of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). These rules are developed by the SBEC and approved by the State Board of Education.

The TEA Division of Educator Standards, Testing, and Preparation monitors and supports EPPs for quality. EPPs are responsible for implementing current rules, content, and best practices as they prepare future educators.

TEA Educator Preparation / EPP Collaboration

The SBEC is statutorily authorized to appoint members of advisory committees.

Guidance for the Texas Teacher Residency Preparation Route Application
 

Policy Requirements: The Teacher Residency Preparation Route and The Enhanced Standard Certificate

On April 12, 2024, the SBOE approved the SBEC adopted 19 TAC Chapter 228: Requirements for Educator Preparation Programs which include the requirements for programs to offer a teacher residency preparation route. The SBOE also approved the SBEC adopted proposed revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 230: Educator Preparation and Certification which includes the amendment to 19 TAC § 230.31 for the enhanced standard certificate to be issued to teacher candidates who have met all requirements of the teacher residency preparation route and other requirements specified in 19 TAC § 230.39.

All EPPs that seek to offer a teacher residency preparation route must apply and be approved by the SBEC. Once approved, a post-approval site visit will be conducted after the end of the first academic year in which the program reports residency completers (19 TAC § 228.15 (b)). The implementation date of the revised Ch. 228 policy is September 1, 2024, and the SBEC will begin approval of EPPs as soon as the December 2024 SBEC meeting.
 

Teacher Residency Preparation Route Application Process Overview

Applications for the teacher residency preparation route will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. After an application has been reviewed, it will either be recommended to the SBEC for final review and approval, or the applicant will receive notification that the application does not meet the criteria to be recommended for SBEC final review and approval.

Below, the TEA has provided estimated windows for application submission, program notification of application status, and aligned SBEC approval dates. Please note, that these are estimations, and factors such as the reviewer’s request for a program to resubmit artifacts may impact this timeline.

Once an EPP has been approved by the SBEC to offer the teacher residency preparation route, they may offer the route to teacher candidates. For example, EPPs approved by SBEC in December 2024 may have candidates begin their residency as soon as Spring 2025. EPPs approved by Spring or Summer 2025 may have candidates begin their residency as soon as Fall 2025.

Application Next Steps

To apply to offer the teacher residency preparation route, please complete the following steps:

1. If an EPP intends to apply by December 2024, the EPP must submit intent to apply by 6/30/24. Note: TEA has extended the window for programs to submit their intent to apply.
2. Following submission of intent to apply, TEA staff will contact the program to provide: 1) the application, 2) application instructions and 3) a secure ShareFile for submission.
3. Programs may follow up with questions regarding the application to TEAteacherresidency@tea.texas.gov regarding the application and related resources.

Additional Information

For additional information regarding the updated SBEC policy and the application, please refer to the TAC Chapter 228 FAQ also available on the Program Provider’s page.

Texas Teacher Residency Landscape Tool

Teacher residency programs continue to grow across the state of Texas, with 28 state-vetted programs in Spring 2022 and the TCLAS Decision 5 grant supporting over 85 partnerships to design and implement sustainably funded paid teacher residency programs. The Texas Teacher Residency Programs landscape tool provides an interactive snapshot of existing vetted programs' key features, identified partnerships, and other information to prospective district and school partners, local community organizations, and community college partners as they build talent pathway strategies. Prospective candidates may also use this tool to better understand local options for their teacher preparation pathway.

Applications and Matrices

Individuals or entities seeking approval to become a new EPP, and approved EPPs seeking to add certificates or seeking approval for candidates to complete requirements out-of-state, must submit applications to the TEA.

New Program Application

An individual or entity that wants to become an approved EPP must submit an application to TEA staff and pay a non-refundable application fee (fee information is listed below). Payment of fees does not guarantee approval to operate. Final approval of a new EPP is made by the SBEC.

TEA offers new applicant workshops once a year to help aspiring EPPs with the application process. At the workshop, TEA staff provides resources, detailed guidance, and application materials. The workshop is free, but a reservation is required. Please submit a Help Desk ticket for reservations and more information.

New Certification Fields and Classes

An EPP rated "accredited" by SBEC may apply to offer new certification fields, classes, or clinical teaching by submitting the appropriate documents to the TEA. The addition of new classes requires approval by the SBEC. Interested EPPs should contact the assigned Education Specialist for application materials. See the Forms and Documents section of this page for the Education Specialist assignment list.

Application for Out-of-State or Out-of-Country Clinical Teaching, Practicum, or Field-Based Experience

An EPP may apply to the TEA for approval to offer clinical teaching, practicum, or field-based experience at a site outside the state of Texas or outside of the U.S. in schools recognized by the U.S. State Department of Overseas Schools. Interested EPPs should contact the assigned Education Specialist for application materials.

Field-based experiences (FBE), clinical teaching, internship, and practicum experiences at Department of Defense Activity (DoDEA) schools, wherever located and all schools accredited by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) do not require prior TEA approval.

Required Fees

The table below lists the required fees for new programs and for the addition of new certification fields and classes. For more information about these fees, see 19 TAC §229.9. All fees must be paid at the time the application is submitted. Payment of fees does not guarantee approval of applications. Fees are non-refundable. Please send payment to:

TEA-Accounting
1701 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701

Reporting and Accountability

EPP staff must submit data to the TEA for the Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs (ASEP) and to the U.S. Department of Education for the Title II Institution and Program Report Card (IPRC).

Timeline for Reporting

Data is generally reported according to the following schedule:

Insight to Impact Dashboard

Insight to Impact is an educator preparation program (EPP) data dashboard that is currently in development. Check here for project updates.

Accountability System Data

The data sets below are related to the Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs (ASEP). More information about ASEP ratings and results are available in the ASEP Dashboards.