Principal Surveys to Evaluate Educator Preparation Programs
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will collect data regarding the perceptions of preparedness of first-year teachers to help understand and provide resources and support 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)(3), require each principal who has first-year teachers on his or her campus to complete a survey about the effectiveness of preparation for classroom success of those first-year teachers. The information provided will assist in improving the preparation of teacher candidates through educator preparation programs (EPPs).
The survey is authorized by Senate Bill 174, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature in 2009, and included in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 229, Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP).
Key Dates for 2026 Principal Survey Data Collection:
Monday, March 23, 2026: Human resources personnel can access ECOS for principal roster verification
Wednesday, April 1, 2026: Principals can access survey via ECOS
Monday, June 15, 2026: Final date to submit principal surveys
Criteria
Principals will complete a survey for each teacher who meets ALL the following criteria:
- Working for the first year as a teacher of record in Texas public schools according to the Fall PEIMS submission
- Has taught for at least five months of the current school year
- Holds a standard, intern, or probationary certificate active at the Fall PEIMS submission date in October 2025
- Completed a Texas Educator Preparation Program within the 5 years prior to the reporting year or is currently enrolled in a Texas Educator Preparation Program
Reminder: The process of determining the survey responses is best when the focus is on the observed evidence related to the content of the survey question. By using aligned evidence about the preparation of the first-year teachers, the responses and the results of the survey are useful and actionable by EPPs and the SBEC.
Principals
Accessing Principal Surveys
The surveys are located in your TEA educator profile Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) blue screen and pre-populated with teachers attached to your campus. Use the TEAL Login link to log in. A copy of the Principal Survey can be printed for review prior to completing the actual online survey or for use by a designee.
Note: If a principal is planning to move to another district or campus, the principal needs to complete the principal survey before he/she exits the district or campus.
CPE Credit
Principals will earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits by reviewing the training component and for completing surveys.
According to 19 TAC §229.3(b), any individual holding a Texas-issued educator certificate who fails to provide information required may be subject to sanction of their certificate, including the placement of restrictions, inscribed or non-inscribed reprimand, suspension, or revocation.
Human Resources Staff
Human Resources (HR) administrators have access to the principal surveys through ECOS for entities for roster verification. To access the HR principal survey management tool, you must access the ECOS green screen. TEAL and ECOS Access for HR Administrators (PDF).
Access for HR administrators begins Monday, March 23, 2026.
HR Next Steps:
- Verify principal rosters in ECOS
- Add a principal if the campus does not have a principal listed
- Correct the principal if the principal listed for a campus is incorrect
If you believe a teacher should be included in the survey but was not listed, please refer back to the criteria listed above. If the teacher meets all criteria, please submit your request in the Principal Survey Help Desk. Use the data information link in the form to provide the teacher information needed, then attach the saved form to the ticket request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document Principal Survey FAQs 2026 (PDF).
For questions not addressed in the FAQ or assistance needed, please submit your request in the Principal Survey Help Desk. A response will be provided within one-business day.
