6/30/2020 Updates

South Texas Transition to Teaching > 6/30/2020 Updates

Hello everyone, it is our due diligence to update you on any upcoming TEA changes. Please read this thoroughly as it pertains to current and future certification options and exam(s) you have passed or are looking to take and pass.

This Announcement is only for the candidates looking for certification in the following areas:

Core Subjects EC-6

English Language Arts & Reading 4-8

English Language Arts & Reading / Social Studies 4-8

Please select the tabs below to read the important updates

Test Code Changes:

The test code for Core Subjects EC-6 (291) will be changing. A new exam for the Core EC-6 will be available on January 1, 2021, based on the significant amount of overlap with the Science of Teaching Reading. The new test code will be 391. This means that the 291 will not be valid after December 31, 2020.

Last day to take the current Core Subjects EC-6 (291) – December 27, 2020
Last Day to be recommended for an Intern or Probationary Certificate with the current Core Subjects EC-6 (291) – December 31, 2020

Science of Teaching and Reading(STR) (293)

Candidates MUST take and pass the new Science of Teaching and Reading (293) starting January 1, 2021 to be eligible for an Intern or Probationary certificate in following certification Areas: Core Subjects EC-6, ELA-R 4-8, ELA-R/SS 4-8

Starting on January 1, 2021,

Candidates wanting to obtain an Intern or Probationary certificate under these content areas: Core Subjects 391, ELA-R 4-8 and ELA-R/SS 4-8 must also take and pass the Science of Teaching and Reading (293) prior to applying for a qualifying teaching position.

Deadline for Candidates who are currently on an Intern or Probationary certificate and need the Standard Certificate.

Last day that we can process a recommendation for a Standard Certificate without needing the STR(293) for Core Subjects EC-6 291, ELA-R 4-8, ELA-R/SS 4-8 is On or before December 31, 2020

Please view the next tab for an additional explanation.

Please see the graph below for Standard Certification requirements

For candidates who were issued an Intern or Probationary Certificate on or before December 31, 2019, the graph below explains the exams you must currently have taken and passed to obtain a Standard Certificate on or before 12/31/2020.

If you are not recommended for a Standard Certificate BEFORE December 31, 2020 for the following content areas: Core Subjects EC-6 (291), ELA-R 4-8 (117) & ELA-R/Soc. Stud 4-8 (113), you will need to take and pass the following bundle of exams to be eligible for the Standard Certificate after January 1, 2021. In other words, if your certificate began on or after January 1, 2020, you will need to take the exams on the section under On or after 1/1/2021 to be issued a Standard Certificate by when your internship ends.

Current Certification Area	Before 12/31/2020	On or after 1/1/2021

Core Subjects: Early Childhood-Grade 6	· Core Subjects EC-6 (291) · Pedagogical examination	· Core Subjects EC-6 (391) · Science of Teaching Reading (293) · PPR EC-12
English Language Arts and Reading: Grades 4-8	· English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 (117) · Pedagogical examination	· English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 (117) · Science of Teaching Reading (293) · PPR EC-12
English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies: Grades 4-8	· English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies (113) · Pedagogical examination	· English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies (113) · Science of Teaching Reading (293) · PPR EC-12

Standard Certification deadlines for current Core Subjects (291)

Last day to meet requirements for a Standard Certificate for the 291 exam – August 31, 2021 (must also pass the STR and PPR EC-12)
Last day to be recommended for a Standard Certificate for the 291 exam – October 30, 2021 (Must also pass the STR and PPR EC-12)

In other words, those who are looking to obtain an Intern or Probationary Certificate using the current Core Subjects 291, you must obtain a teaching position that qualifies you for an Intern or Probationary by October 30, 2020 to be recommended for the Standard Certificate by October 30, 2021. The STR will also be required for you to pass after January 1, 2021 to qualify for the Standard Certificate issued by October 30, 2021

After January 1, 2021,

If you passed the Core Subjects (291) and the STR (293) and obtain an eligible teaching position, you can be issued an Intern or Probationary Certificate ON or BEFORE October 30, 2020.

Current Candidates who are NOT under an Intern or Probationary Certificate:

For candidates who passed the ELA-R 4-8 and/or the ELA-R/SS 4-8 and enrolled in SoTex ACP BEFORE May 26, 2020, you MUST complete your 180 hours of Coursework in order to apply for qualifying teaching positions and be issued an Intern or Probationary Certificate. You will need to take and pass the new STR (293) once it becomes available on January 1, 2021 regardless of the date your Intern or Probationary is issued in order to obtain your Standard Certificate on 2021.

For candidates who passed ELA-R 4-8 and/or the ELA-r/SS 4-8 and enrolled ON OR AFTER May 26, 2020, you are eligible for the Governor’s waiver. You MUST complete the 150 hours worth of Coursework Training in order to apply for qualifying teaching positions and be issued an Intern or Probationary Certificate. You will need to take and pass the new STR (293)once it becomes available on January 1, 2021, regardless of the date your Intern or Probationary is issued in order to obtain your Standard Certificate on 2021.

For candidates who passed the Core Subjects EC-6 (291) and enrolled in SoTex ACP BEFORE May 26, 2020, you MUST complete your 180 hours of Coursework in order to apply for qualifying teaching positions and be issued an Intern or Probationary Certificate by October 30, 2020. On October 31, 2020, you will no longer be eligible to apply for a qualifying teaching position. You will need to wait for the New Core Subjects EC-6 (293) to become available on January 1, 2021.

For candidates who passed the Core Subjects EC-6 (291) and enrolled ON OR AFTER May 26, 2020, you are eligible for the Governor’s waiver. You MUST complete the 150 hours worth of Coursework Training in order to apply for qualifying teaching positions and be issued an Intern or Probationary Certificate by October 30, 2020. On October 31, 2020, you will no longer be eligible to apply for a qualifying teaching position. You will need to wait for the New Core Subjects EC-6 (293) to become available on January 1, 2021.

Intern Certificate: A certificate issued to qualifying candidates who have not passed the PPR EC-12 exam. Must work 10-12 months and complete additional certification requirements prior to obtaining a Standard Certificate. There are no extensions available if the intern did not pass the PPR EC-12 exam by when the issued certificate is expired.

Probationary Certificate: A certificate issued to qualifying candidates who passed the PPR EC-12 exam. Must work 10-12 months and complete additional certification requirements prior to obtaining a Standard Certificate. An extension can be issued if the candidate did not complete course requirements during the first issuance of the Probationary Certificate.

Standard Certificate: Official Teaching License that is recommended by SoTex ACP and is issued by the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT: South Texas Transition to Teaching-ACP and Texas Education Agency (TEA) is subject to make changes at any time. Please make sure and check our website and TEA’s website for any changes and updates.