Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) Definitions

EPP Observations

This section presents the minimum required number of observations as codified in 19 TAC §228.35. The PDF document provides a simplified presentation of the minimum number of observations based on the candidate’s assignment and type of experience. The assignment type is used by educator preparation programs (EPPs) to report observations in the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS).

For more information about requirements for formal observations and the timing of observations throughout the clinical experience, please see 19 TAC §228.35.

Late Hire

As defined in 19 TAC §228.2 (25):

A Late Hire is "An individual who has not been accepted into an educator preparation program before the 45th day before the first day of instruction and who is hired for a teaching assignment by a school after the 45th day before the first day of instruction or after the school's academic year has begun".