Educator Preparation Program


Texas College Educator Preparation Program

Mission of the Division of Education

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:

Goals of the Educator Preparation Program

The goals of the Texas College Educator Preparation Program are to:

  • To prepare highly competent, successful, compassionate and enthusiastic teaching professionals;
  • To deliver programs with sound pedagogical and professional courses, and clinical practice;
  • To utilize a variety of learner-centered instructional strategies that address student diversity;
  • To train students to integrate instructional technology across the curriculum;
  • To foster collaborations with external partners (e.g. school districts, public/private schools, regional service centers) for expanding students’ networking and career opportunities;
  • To broaden student knowledge of and experience in best practices; and
  • To provide authentic, real-world experiences and assessments.

Description of the Programs

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.

Certifications

Texas College offers certifications in the following areas:

  • Associate of Arts (AA) Degree in Early Childhood Education
  • This program prepares students to assume paraprofessional positions and directors of Child Care Centers
  • Bachelor of Science Degree
  • Students may receive the Bachelor of Science Degree with Teacher Certification 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.

Pipeline to Preparation of Teachers in Texas

Candidate--->
Program ------>
Assessment ------>
Certification
  • Entry Criteria
  • Coursework and/or Professional Development
  • Pre-Clinical Field Experience
  • Mentoring, Support and Supervision
  • Complete Program Benchmarks
  • Clinical Teaching
  • Test Preparation
  • Take and pass Certification Exams
19 TAC §227.1(c)

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 B
  • Administrator Recommendation for Certification

Requirements for the Educator Preparation Program

Students are required to successfully complete:

  • 30 hours of clinical experience in the field prior to Clinical Teaching
  • Fourteen (14) weeks of Clinical Teaching (split assignments) or one year’s internship (post baccalaureate)
  • A minimum of 120 total credit hours of course work in the general core, content area and PPR courses, and
  • All benchmark requirements for certification. 

Admission Criteria the Educator Preparation Program

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:

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75.
  • Have successfully completed 59 credit hours (12 hours in the content area, 15 hours if science or math) and successfully completed the courses EDUC 2301 and EDUC 2302 with a passing grade of B or better.
  • An initial interview with a member of the Educator Preparation Program faculty;
  • Submit an official college transcript(s);
  • Submit a current resume;
  • Submit a degree plan;
  • Submit a color copy of a State ID;
  • Submission of the Ethics Letter;
  • Completion of an Oral Proficiency Questionnaire to be completed with a member of the education faculty;
  • Submission of his/her Philosophy of Education (Typed using Microsoft Word, 12 font, double spaced);
  • An autobiography (Typed using Microsoft Word, 12 font, double spaced);
  • Three signed letters of reference from your College Professors/Work Study Supervisor;
  • Submit a signed Criminal Background Check Form from the Division of Education;
  • Sign and submit the Texas College EPP Benchmark Form acknowledging awareness of the EPP policies, including the passing of the content area TExES exam prior to clinical teaching; and
  • Applicants must also interview with Teacher Education Admission Committee.

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:

  • Fall Semester: October 15
  • Spring Semester: March 15

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).

Post-Baccalaureate Certification Program

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

Criteria

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:

  • Be in good academic standing at Texas College with a cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Be in good financial standing with Texas College
  • Successfully complete and pass at least 27 credit hours
  • Submit a completed application for the Teacher Education Scholarships
  • Demonstrate a professional attitude at all times
  • Complete Benchmark Level I and be working toward completing II, III, and IV

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.

Recommended Order of Study for Courses in Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities

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.

Assessment Requirements

THEA/COMPASS Testing

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.  

Taking The TExES (Texas Examination of Educator Standards)

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.

  • Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12
  • Core Subjects with STR (Grades EC-6)
  • English Language Arts and Reading with STR (Grades 4-8)
  • Math and Science grades 4-8
  • English Language Arts and Reading, Math and Science grades 7-12
  • Physical Education grades EC-12.

Eligibility Requirements for Clinical Teaching

Students preparing for their clinical teaching semester must meet the following steps to eligibility:

  1. Pursuant to the TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching;
  2. All course work must be completed the semester prior to student teaching;
  3. All students must meet all benchmarks listed in the Educator Preparation Program;
  4. Educator Preparation Folder must contain all documents listed on the benchmark list;
  5. Complete a student teacher application;
  6. Transcript audited for coursework completion and eligibility for student teaching by the Chair of the Division or Director of Teacher Education;
  7. Students must obtain their certified teacher login at the beginning of their PPR Capstone course.
  8. Students must score 80% or higher on each competency on the Certifiedteacher practice exam to become eligible for approval to take their TExES exam;
  9. Students must take and pass their content exam prior to their approval to student teach.

Recommendation for Certification

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.

Educator Preparation Program Survey

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.

Filing a Complaint in Texas

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:

What Do I Need to Know About Filing a Complaint?

  • Any grievances are to begin with the immediate chair of the division.
  • If resolution cannot be obtained, you may pursue the TEA Complaint Procedures.
  • TEA will not investigate complaints that do not specifically violate the law. If you are unsure if your complaint is a violation of the law, contact TEA’s Special Education Information Center to help you determine if your concern can be addressed through the complaints process.
  • In order for TEA to investigate a complaint, you must file your complaint in writing, stating that you are filing a complaint, and asking TEA to investigate. The complaint must be signed and you must send a copy of the complaint to TEA and the institution simultaneously. Many believe that a phone call to TEA will serve as a complaint; it does not.
  • Your complaint must be filed within one year of the alleged violation.
  • Complaints filed with TEA do not cost anything and does not require hiring an attorney.
  • Filing a complaint does not take away the right to request mediation or due process. However, a complaint and a due process hearing may not be pursued at the same time if the issues are the same. TEA cannot investigate a complaint that is also the subject of a due process hearing or that is subject to a due process hearing in which a decision has been made.
  • A complaint formis available on the TEA website in English and Spanish. This form is not required to file a complaint, but may serve as a good guide.

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.

Statement of Admissions for Military Service Personnel, Veterans, and Military Spouses

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.