The mission of the Division of Education is to prepare highly competent, successful, compassionate and enthusiastic teaching professionals dedicated to responsible service, educational leadership, continued professional growth and intellectual development. To enhance this mission, the Division of Education, Educator Preparation Program has the following goals:
The goals of the Texas College Educator Preparation Program are to:
The Texas College Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) are standards-based, learner-centered, and delivered in a collaborative, field-based environment. Technology skills and responsiveness to diversity are integral parts of the programs. As with all teacher preparation programs in Texas, each program completer has an academic specialization and a common core curriculum as a basis for the professional education sequence. Assessment of learner-centered outcomes is benchmarked throughout the program. Recommendation for certification is made by the College to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) when the program, including successful TExES testing in content area and pedagogy and professional responsibility, is completed.
Students in the various programs have a sequence of field experiences that are delivered in collaboration with partners in the public schools. Various schools in the East Texas area serve as sites for early field experiences for undergraduate students.
Texas College offers certifications in the following areas:
Core Subjects EC-6 with STR; English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 with STR; Math and Science grades 4-8; English Language Arts and Reading, Math and Science grades 7-12; and Physical Education grades EC-12.
Notifications: Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation
EPPs shall notify, in writing by mail, personal delivery, facsimile, email, or an electronic notification, each applicant to and enrollee in the EPP of the following regardless of whether the applicant or enrollee has been convicted of an offense:
(1) the potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP.
(2) the current SBEC rules prescribed in 19 TAC §249.16… and
(3) the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in 19 TAC Chapter 227, Subchapter BStudents are required to successfully complete:
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) requires that each EPP establish minimum criteria for admission that must be met by EPP candidates. To be considered for admission a student must:
Complete an application to the Texas College Educator Preparation Program along with addressing the following items:
Clinical Teaching –candidates will have an opportunity to experience the first weeks of school which includes the first 15 instructional days of the school year.
Applications may be obtained from the Office of The Division of Education, Room 217 in the Glass Building. All applications are due in the Education Office on or before the following dates:
Full admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) must be achieved prior to enrolling in any additional Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR) coursework (EDUC courses).
Texas College does not grant degrees concurrent with certification in the Post Baccalaureate route, therefore Post Baccalaureate and the Alternative route to certification are not offered at this time.
Teacher Education Scholarships are awarded to encourage enrollment and retention in the Educator Preparation Program so that students graduate as certified teachers. As a result, considerations are made for student’s progress in the curriculum and potential to become good teachers. The program is designed to provide learning experiences that will assist students in developing into highly competent and effective teachers of students EC-12. To fulfill the Texas College mission, the following values are ensured: 1) academic excellence, 2) integrity, 3) perseverance, 4) social responsibility, 5) tolerance, and 6) community service.
Candidates for the scholarships must meet the following guidelines:
The Division of Education committee will review all applications to ensure that guidelines have been met. The chair of the Division of Education will then make recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Business and Finance.
First Semester Sophomore
Second Semester Sophomore
EDUC 2301
Foundations of Teaching
EDUC 2303
Understanding Diversity
First Semester Junior
Second Semester Junior
EDUC 2323
Human Growth & Development
EDUC 3323
Educational Technology and Media
EDUC 3311
Learning Theories and Measurements
EDUC 4322
Curriculum and Instruction
READ 4314
Reading in the Content Area
EDUC 4331
Classroom Management
First Semester Senior
Second Semester Senior
EDUC 4303
Capstone
EDUC 4101
Clinical Teaching Seminar
EDUC 4601/4602
Clinical Teaching
It is recommended that students take the PPR courses in this order to facilitate the learning process. EDUC 2301 Foundations of Teaching is the gateway course to the Educator Preparation Program and should be taken first and EDUC 4303 Capstone should be taken after the completion of all PPR courses. It serves as a review and preparation to take the content area and PPR TExES exams. The candidate must have completed all coursework and have passed the content area exam prior to the clinical teaching semester. During the student teaching semester, the candidate must take and pass the PPR exam.
All teacher candidates in Texas must demonstrate basic skills in reading, written communication and math. At Texas College, you can meet this requirement through scores acquired from taking from the THEA, TSI, ASSETT or other equivalent exam as determined by the EPP. No student seeking certification through Texas College is exempt from taking one of these exams and making the required scores.
The ASSETT is offered regularly at Texas College through the Student Learning Center located in the campus library. Information on dates, location, and registration can be found at www.texascollege.edu. The cost of the test is free to all Texas College students. This exam includes two scores for written communication—one for sentence skills and the other for essay writing.
Students who choose to take the THEA can contact local community colleges and universities for their next available Quick THEA. For state-administered dates, go to www.thea.nesinc.com. You may take one, two, or all three parts of the THEA at any administration. You do not need to take the THEA if you have already met the TASP requirement.
The Texas Education Agency requires that all students seeking certification in Texas perform satisfactorily on comprehensive examinations. Students must pass an exam in their content area and in the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities course work.
Students preparing for their clinical teaching semester must meet the following steps to eligibility:
After becoming a program completer/finisher (successfully completing all coursework as outlined on the degree plan, successful completion of clinical teaching and obtaining passing scores on both sections of the TExES exams (content and PPR) candidates can be recommended for standard certification in Texas.
TAC §229.3(2)—Participants in an Educator Preparation Program must complete a survey evaluating the preparation he or she received in the EPP. Completion and submission to the SBEC of the survey is a requirement for issuance of a standard certificate. Students must complete the SB 174 Teacher Exit Survey prior to recommendation for the Standard Teaching Certificate. Computers will be provided to the students for this purpose or they may use the Teacher Education Computer Lab.
Program Consolidation, Change of Ownership or Closure
In keeping with the policy of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas College has procedures in place to ensure that (1) all issues relevant to the Education Preparation Program consolidation, more than 50% ownership changes or closure, will provide written, signed notification to TEA within the designated TEA timeframe, (2) contact candidates about next steps and retain records, (3) identify a future contact and/or transfer of candidate records and (4) submit required data to TEA.
When an individual has exhausted local level options and believed that the state or federal education requirements have been (are being violated), the individual may seek resolution through the Texas Education Agency’s complaints process. A complaint is usually the first step in the dispute resolution process. The Texas Education Agency is required to investigate complaints that violate the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or any state special education law or rule. The following items will direct individuals through the complaint process:
Your complaint must state the violations you believe have occurred and include the specific facts on which your complaint is based. The student must provide at least two facts that support each allegation. Supporting documents may be attached as evidence. Documentation is key.
Please note: The person or agency filing the complaint is called a “Complainant.”
Once TEA and your institution has received your complaint, the institution may wish to resolve your complaint locally. Perhaps you and the institution can reach an agreement that will resolve your complaint. If this happens, you will be asked to send a letter to the investigator withdrawing your complaint. Perhaps you and the institution can agree to go to mediation.
However, if your complaint is not resolved at the local level or you do not wish to go to mediation, the institution may submit an early resolution proposal (ERP) to TEA. TEA then will have the option to accept the early resolution proposal or to reject it. If TEA does not accept the early resolution proposal, it will then investigate your complaint and make a determination. According to federal law, TEA has 60 days to investigate the complaint unless there are circumstances that make it necessary to extend the timelines. A written decision, including findings of fact and conclusions, will be sent to complainant upon completion. More information, including specific timelines, can be found here:http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=2147497560
Address Complaints to:
Texas Education Agency
Division of IDEA Coordination
1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701-1494
You may also fax your complaint to TEA at 512-463-9560.
The Texas College policy is consistent with the Texas Education Agency requiring all Educator Preparation Programs to outline procedures for accepting prior relevant coursework, training, and/or experience from military and non-military candidates and apply those policies equitably to candidates, as needed. For prior credit or ongoing military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience, or related requirements for educator certification (19 TAC 234.5), candidates including military service personnel, veterans, and military spouses will not be granted course credit for prior military service, training or education toward fulfillment of program prerequisite admission requirements. Military Service, training and experience may not count toward field-based experience, clinical teaching, or internship requirements. For more information or to request a transcript evaluation for course credit, please contact the Dean of Enrollment regarding Military and Veterans Services, telephone 903-593-8311, ext. 2215 or ext. 2368.
Program Consolidation, Change of Ownership or Closure
In keeping with the policy of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas College has procedures in place to ensure that (1) all issues relevant to the Education Preparation Program consolidation, more than 50% ownership changes or closure, will provide written, signed notification to TEA within the designated TEA timeframe, (2) contact candidates about next steps and retain records, (3) identify a future contact and/or transfer of candidate records and (4) submit required data to TEA.