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Educator Preparation Program Requirements at October SBEC Meeting

October 1, 2021
Philanthropy Advocates, a collaboration with Educate Texas, follows the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) meetings as that board plays a significant role in setting effective teaching policy, a key priority for Philanthropy Advocates and members. The SBEC met on October 1st and discussed key issues, including quality frameworks pertaining to educator preparation programs (EPPs), virtual observation of teacher candidates, the edTPA educator assessment, and EPP accountability. SBEC reviews its rules on a four-year cycle. This cycle is designed to ensure reasons for adopting or readopting rules continue to exist.

Educator preparation program requirements were a focus as the SBEC considers updates to the content requirements for EPPs. Stakeholders will continue to provide additional recommendations at the board meetings on December 10, 2021, and in February 2022. The main goal of these meetings is to develop a quality framework TEA can use to continue to drive high-quality teacher preparation in Texas. This framework clarifies the purpose of teacher preparation, ensuring that regulatory and programmatic work match back to the framework.

The board also discussed virtual observations during the October meeting. The most recent legislative session saw the passage of SB 1590 (Bettencourt), which permits virtual observations for teacher candidates. TEA proposed amendments that would allow educator preparation programs the flexibility to replace up to one formal face-to-face observation with at least two formal virtual observations.

Educate Texas staff have been engaged in informing SBEC on the benefits of balancing this added flexibility to address challenges presented by COVID-19 with the benefits of face-to-face observations.

EdTPA, a performance-based assessment for educator certification, is currently in its third year of a pilot. In upcoming meetings, SBEC will decide the long-term plan for edTPA as the exam to meet pedagogy requirements for teacher candidates. TEA will share the plan for implementation, likely at the December meeting, as the costs and rigor of the exam present important considerations.

Resources regarding the October SBEC meeting can be found below.

SBEC Rules: Watch the full meeting here.
 

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