Principal and Teacher Surveys to Evaluate Texas Educator Preparation Programs

Date:  March 4, 2021                
Subject: Principal and Teacher Surveys to Evaluate Texas Educator Preparation Programs
Category: Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs
Next Steps: 

HR Personnel verify principal roster data for principals in ECOS and direct first-year teachers to update their email address in ECOS in order to receive a survey link.

Survey completion by: 

  • Principals of first-year teachers
  • First-year teachers

 

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will be collecting data regarding the preparation of first-year teachers to help understand and provide resources and supports to educator preparation programs (EPPs) in preparing first-year teachers to succeed in the classroom. 

Current State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §229.3(f)(4), require each principal who has first-year teachers on his or her campus to complete a survey about the preparation of those first-year teachers. Additionally, SBEC rules in 19 TAC §229.3(f)(5), require all teachers to complete a survey about their preparation at the end of the first year of teaching on a standard teaching certificate. The information provided will assist in improving the preparation of teacher candidates through EPPs. 

TEA and SBEC understand the unique challenges that the current school year has introduced in preparing effective first-year teachers. The survey results will be especially helpful given the unique challenges of this year for understanding and supporting the continuous improvement of teacher preparation. Therefore, we are highly encouraging principals and teachers to complete the survey. However, in recognition of the challenges and additional burdens facing principals and first-year teachers this year, there will be no negative consequences for not completing the survey, and investigations of principals or teachers who do not complete the survey will not be a priority for the agency in keeping with 19 TAC §249.14(k). 

Prior to the distribution of the surveys, principals and teachers will have access to information posted on the TEA website about the surveys. Additional information regarding the Principal Survey will be emailed to human resources personnel and principals using email addresses in the Texas Education Directory (AskTED). Please confirm with your TED administrator that your district and campus TED contact information has been updated. 

Teachers will receive a link to the Teacher Survey via email sent to the email address they have provided in the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS). Please direct early career teachers to update their email address in their ECOS accounts prior to March 26, 2021. 

Principal Survey 2021: 

The Principal Surveys for 2021 are located in the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS). Principals will complete a principal survey for each first-year teacher on their campus and will have the opportunity to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits upon completion of each survey. The results from this survey are used for monitoring and understanding the effectiveness of EPPs. 

Key Dates for Principal Survey data collection: 

  • Monday, March 8, 2021 – Human Resources personnel access ECOS for principal roster verification 
  • Thursday, April 1, 2021 – Principals access surveys 
  • Tuesday, June 15, 2021 – Final date to submit principal surveys 

Questions regarding the principal survey can be submitted to: principalsurvey@tea.texas.gov 

Teacher Survey 2021: 

A link to the Teacher Survey for 2021 will be sent via email to eligible teachers. Teachers will complete this mandatory survey and earn CPE credits upon completion of the survey. The results from this survey are used for monitoring and understanding the effectiveness of EPPs. 

Key Dates for Teacher Survey data collection: 

  • Thursday, April 1, 2021 – Teachers receive link via email 
  • Tuesday, June 15, 2021 – Final date to submit teacher survey 

Questions regarding the teacher survey can be submitted to: teachersurvey@tea.texas.gov