A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

April 07, 2011

SUBJECT: Principal Surveys to Evaluate Texas Educator Preparation Programs

Texas Administrative Code, 19 TAC Chapter 229, Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP), requires that principals respond to a survey to measure the performance of beginning teachers in compliance with Texas Education Code, TEC §21.045(a)(2). The principal survey results will measure the following items:

• the performance of beginning teachers, and
• the educator preparation program’s effectiveness in preparing beginning teachers to succeed in the classroom
• achievement, including improvement in achievement, of students taught by beginning teachers for the first three years following certification.

Texas Education Agency (TEA) established a partnership with three nationally recognized educational organizations - the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality (NCCTQ), SEDL, and WestED- to develop principal surveys, as well as the University of Texas’ Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. The TEA held stakeholder meetings to gather input regarding the content of the surveys with principals, professional educator associations, and the Educator Standards Advisory Committee.

As authorized by TEC 21.0452 (g), Chapter 229 of the TAC requires all principals in Texas who have beginning teachers employed at their schools to complete a survey(s). Specifically, there will be a survey sent for each first year, second year and third year teacher.

The TEA will begin distribution of the surveys on May 9, 2011. A link to the surveys will be sent through email to each principal, who must submit each survey electronically. The surveys will take approximately 15 minutes each to complete and must be submitted by June 15th .

Texas Education Agency will conduct technical assistance webinars. Each webinar will include the same information. Please register for one of the webinars by clicking on the web link below.

April 19th at 10:00 register by accessing https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/250505571

April 20th at 10:00 register by accessing https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/980800450

April 21st at 10:00 register by accessing https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/181499114

Thank you for helping us prepare future teachers in Texas!

Janice Lopez, Ph.D
Director of Educator Certification and Standards
Texas Education Agency
Janice.lopez@tea.state.tx.us
512.936.8226