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.

Input on the SBEC’s Draft of the Effective Preparation Framework

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.

In December 2023, the SBEC directed TEA staff to further refine the draft framework to ensure continuous improvement and performance management practices were clearly articulated and to ensure stronger alignment to the state's Effective District and Effective School Frameworks. As a result of the need for further refinement, a wide range of stakeholders have worked to update the current draft of the EPF over the past few months. 

To further inform this development process, we are soliciting feedback on the current draft of the EPF. The deadline to submit feedback is 5:00 pm on May 11, 2023.  Please email comments to TexasEPF@tea.texas.gov.

Critical Shortage Area Certification Exam Reimbursement Opportunity

Recently, the Teacher Vacancy Task Force published a set of recommendations for TEA and school districts. One recommendation included providing funding for candidate certification exams, particularly in hard-to-staff areas. In alignment with this recommendation, TEA is providing a limited reimbursement opportunity for exams required for certification in federally designated critical shortage areas. The Critical Shortage Area Certification Exam Reimbursement Opportunity is available to all educator preparation programs certifying candidates in the approved critical shortage areas. Through this opportunity, eligible programs will be reimbursed for the cost of certification exam vouchers purchased to be used on content pedagogy certification exams aligned with the approved critical shortage areas. For more information including a list of shortage area aligned certification exams, please view the FAQ document.  

Application

In October 2019, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) approved a framework and procedures for determining educator preparation program (EPP) Commendations. The following commendation categories went into rule to recognize high-performing EPPs: 1. Rigorous and Robust Preparation, 2. Preparing the Educators Texas Needs, 3. Preparing Educators for Long-Term Success, and 4. Innovative Educator Preparation. The Innovative Educator Preparation category gives the SBEC the opportunity to designate EPPs that have implemented innovative approaches in a defined area of emphasis.

For the 2022-2024 Innovative Educator Preparation commendation, the SBEC seeks to recognize EPPs that engage in innovative development of EPP faculty and staff, field supervisors, and/or cooperating and mentor teachers, in alignment with current research and best practices. Examples include, but are not limited to, co-teaching models, coaching practices, high-quality instructional materials implementation, and/or response to intervention (RTI).    

Such practices must be well above SBEC-mandate minimums to be considered. 

The Innovative EPP Commendation Call for Applications includes directions for completion of an application along with associated expectations and deadlines. Questions regarding the Innovative EPP Commendation Call for Applications should be directed to innovative_epp@tea.texas.gov.

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.

Vetted Teacher Residency Program List: 2023 Application Now Open:

The Vetted Teacher Residency Program List includes Texas educator preparation programs that offer high-quality teacher residency programs. The list has been established in preparation for state and federal grant opportunities that require LEAs to partner with a high-quality teacher residency program. Currently, 28 approved programs are supporting over 90 districts across Texas in the Texas Covid Learning Acceleration Support (TCLAS) Grant Decision 5: Residency Program Support. These programs and their partner districts are working together to build sustainable residency programs throughout the three-year grant cycle (Fall 2021-Spring 2024). EPPs designated as vetted teacher residency programs during the Spring 2023 application cycle are eligible to partner with districts awarded with residency supports incentives.

TEA has opened the 2023 Vetted Teacher Residency Program application for EPPs that are actively implementing high-quality teacher residency models with existing district partnerships. Applications will be reviewed following the submission window’s closure and application status will be shared September 2023.

Please see timelines below for anticipated application activities:

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 Clinical Teaching, Internship or Field-Based Experience

An EPP may apply to the TEA for approval to offer clinical teaching, internship or field-based experience at a site outside the state of Texas or outside 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.

Clinical teaching, internship, and practicum experiences at Department of Defense Activity (DoDEA) schools 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.