The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) provides support to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), Texas Education Agency (TEA), public institutions of higher education, K-12 schools, school districts, Education Service Centers, parents, students and community leaders in a collaborative, constructive network.
Educator Preparation Resources
To Request A New Educator Preparation Certificate Program
SBEC Texas Administrative Code Rules, Title 19, Part 7, Chapter 228, rule 228.10, states that the “approval of an EPP by the SBEC, including each specific certificate class and category, is contingent upon approval by other lawfully established governing bodies such as the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, boards of regents, or school district boards of trustees.” Institutions of higher education requesting approval to offer a new educator certificate must submit a request for a THECB approval letter using the Certificate Program Certification Form. Information and request forms for new certificates and programs can be found at the New Certificate Requests website. The THECB approval letter may be presented to SBEC to satisfy its educator preparation program approval requirements. Please note that the THECB approval letter in no way guarantees an educator preparation program or proposed teacher certification program will be approved by the SBEC. All educator certificate programs must be approved by the SBEC, and questions about that approval process should be directed to the Division of Educator Standards at the Texas Education Agency.
Bachelors Degree in Education
Background
House Bill 3217, passed by the 86th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, allows an individual applying for a Texas teaching certificate to hold a bachelor’s degree in education. The bill also eliminates the 18-semester-credit-hour (SCH) limit on education courses that are included in a bachelor’s degree program that satisfies the requirements for a classroom teaching certificate. As a result, Texas public institutions of higher education may now request approval to offer bachelor’s degrees in education to satisfy the degree requirements for SBEC-approved classroom teaching certificates. Additionally, THECB staff will work with institutions that intend to transition existing degree programs to an appropriate Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code and title on institutions’ program inventories.
The following guidance is provided for public institutions of higher education that intend to establish a bachelor’s degree in education in their institutional program inventory. Institutions may establish a new bachelor’s degree in education through two pathways: the new program request process or a temporary transitional process for institutions with existing programs. The process to transition a bachelor’s degree in education depends on whether the institution has an existing degree in conjunction with a currently approved SBEC classroom teaching certificate. This guidance does not apply to certificate programs used to fulfill SBEC requirements for supplemental, student services, principal, or superintendent certificates.
Processes to Establish a New Bachelor’s Degree in Education
In 2001, based on directives from the Texas Legislature, the State Board for Educator Certification, and the THECB, the THECB staff developed guidelines and forms for institutions to facilitate the process of submitting new and/or revised undergraduate degree programs leading to teacher certification. Due to HB 3217’s removal of the restriction on bachelor’s degrees in education, and the 18-semester-credit-hour limit on education courses at the baccalaureate level for programs leading to teacher certification, the THECB worksheets providing guidance for proposed undergraduate degree programs leading to teacher certification are no longer in effect. Public institutions of higher education may select from the following processes to establish a new bachelor’s degree program in education.
Teacher Education Field-Based Courses
- Definition – Teacher Education Field-Based (TEF) Courses are those courses in which the primary activity is performance of professional teacher activities by the university student while interacting with public school students and teachers as well as with university faculty members in a school-related setting. The professional activities do not necessarily include teaching but must include more than observation within a classroom. The interaction with students, teachers, and university faculty must be regular and frequent. Courses eligible to be TEF include those in the professional development sequence and, in some instances, reading, early childhood, bilingual, and special education.
- Procedures for Gaining Recognition – Universities requesting review of courses for field-based funding should submit a copy of the course syllabus and a short summary of their request via the THECB Document Submission Portal. The syllabus must clearly state the professional activities required of the student, the frequency and nature of the involvement of the student with faculty, and the procedures and standards used to evaluate the performance of the student.
Requirements for Educator Certification
The SBEC oversees all aspects of the preparation, certification, and standards of conduct of public school educators. The TEA Educator Certification division provides information and assistance for educators, school districts, and the public, especially as it pertains to becoming a teacher or administrator in Texas or renewing certification.
THECB Educator Preparation Policy Resources
Contact
Educator Preparation Resources
Inquiries regarding educator preparation resources should be directed to Andrew Lofters.