Definitions

Definitions 

Accredited institution of higher education--An IHE that, at the time it conferred the degree, was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 

Alternative certification program--An approved educator preparation program, delivered by entities described in §228.25(a) of this title (relating to Governance of Educator Preparation Programs), specifically designed as an alternative to a traditional undergraduate certification program, for individuals already holding at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited IHE. 

Assignment start date--For an internship, clinical teaching, or residency, the first day of instruction with students. For a nonteacher practicum experience, the first day of the window in which the candidate is authorized by the EPP to begin the practicum experience. 

Authentic school setting--For the purpose of field-based experiences, during the school day and the school year and including summer school; not to include professional development, extracurricular activities, workdays when students are not present, and before- or after-school childcare or tutoring. 

Benchmarks--Reference points throughout the preparation process where candidates are assessed for progress toward completing EPP requirements (e.g., admission, passing a specific course or courses, passing a certification exam, completing preservice requirements). 

Campus supervisor--A school administrator or designee responsible for the annual performance appraisal of an intern or a candidate pursuing a residency certificate. 

Candidate--An individual who has been formally or contingently admitted into an EPP; also referred to as an enrollee or participant. 

Candidate coach--A person as defined in §228.39(b)(1)-(3) of this title (relating to Intensive Pre-Service) who participates in a minimum of four observation/feedback coaching cycles provided by program supervisors, completes a Texas Education Agency (TEA)-approved observation training or has completed a minimum of 150 hours of observation/feedback training, and has current certification in the class in which supervision is provided. 

Certification category--A certificate type within a certification class, as described in Chapter 233 of this title (relating to Categories of Classroom Teaching Certificates). 

Certification class--A certificate, as described in §230.33 of this title (relating to Classes of Certificates), that has defined characteristics; may contain one or more certification categories, as described in Chapter 233 of this title. 

Certification lead–A designated point person at the district or EPP accountable for ensuring candidates successfully progress through the certification process by coordinating supports, monitoring progress, and driving clear communication across stakeholders. 

Certification coach–An individual responsible for providing regular, ongoing check-ins with a teacher to review certification progress, reinforce goals, and ensure follow-through on study plans. This role serves as a consistent accountability partner, helping the teacher stay on track, troubleshoot barriers, and maintain momentum toward certification. 

Classroom teacher--An educator who is employed by a school or district and who, not less than an average of four hours each day, teaches in an academic instructional setting or a career and technical instructional setting. This term does not include an educational aide, a full-time administrator, or a substitute teacher. 

Clinical experience--A supervised educator assignment through an EPP at a public school accredited by the TEA or other school approved by the TEA for this purpose where candidates demonstrate proficiency in the standards for the certificate sought and that may lead to completion of a standard certificate. Clinical experience includes clinical teaching, internship, practicum, and residency. 

Clinical teaching--A supervised teacher assignment through an EPP in the classroom of a cooperating teacher at a public school accredited by the TEA or other school approved by the TEA for this purpose that may lead to completion of a standard certificate; also referred to as student teaching. 

Clock-hours--The actual number of hours of coursework or training provided; for purposes of calculating the training and coursework required by this chapter, one semester credit hour at an accredited IHE is equivalent to 15 clock-hours. Clock-hours of field-based experiences, clinical teaching, internship, residency, and practicum are actual hours spent in the required educational activities and experiences. 

Completer--A person who has met all the requirements of an approved EPP; also referred to as finisher. In applying this definition, the fact that a person has or has not been recommended for a standard certificate or passed a certification examination shall not be used as criteria for determining who is a completer. 

Cooperating teacher--For a clinical teacher candidate, an educator who is collaboratively assigned by the EPP and campus administrator who supports the candidate during the clinical teaching experience. 

Co-teaching--A practice in which two or more teachers share instructional responsibility for a single group of students to address specific content and related learning objectives through a variety of approaches that best support the students' learning needs. 

Educator preparation program--An entity that is approved by the SBEC to prepare and recommend candidates for certification in one or more educator certification classes. 

Enhanced standard certificate--A type of certificate issued to an individual who has met all requirements as specified in §230.39(b) of this title (relating to Enhanced Standard Certificates) under the teacher class of certificates. 

Entity--The individual, corporation, partnership, IHE, public school or school district that is approved to deliver an EPP. 

Field-based experiences--Introductory experiences for a classroom teacher certification candidate, incorporated with preparation coursework that involve, at the minimum, reflective observation of and interaction with Early Childhood-Grade 12 students, teachers, and faculty/staff members engaging in educational activities in an authentic school setting. 

Field supervisor--A currently certified educator, who preferably has advanced credentials, hired by the EPP to observe candidates, monitor their performance, and provide constructive feedback to improve their effectiveness as educators. 

Host teacher--For a teacher resident candidate, an educator who is jointly assigned by the EPP and the campus administrator who supports the candidate through co-teaching and coaching during their teacher residency field placement. 

Initial certification--The first Texas certificate in a class of certificate issued to an individual based on participation in an approved EPP. 

Intensive pre-service--An educator assignment supervised by an EPP accredited and approved by the SBEC prior to a candidate meeting the requirements for issuance of intern and probationary certificates. 

Intern certificate--A type of certificate as specified in §230.36 of this title (relating to Intern Certificates) that is issued to a candidate who has passed all required content pedagogy certification examinations and is completing requirements for initial certification through an approved EPP. 

Internship--A paid supervised classroom teacher assignment for one full school year at a public school accredited by the TEA or other school approved by the TEA for this purpose that may lead to completion of a standard certificate. 

Late hire--An individual who is both accepted into an EPP after the 45th day before the first day of instruction and hired for a teaching assignment by a school after the 45th day before the first day of instruction or after the school's academic year has begun. 

Long-term substitute--An individual that has served in place of a teacher of record in a classroom for at least 30 consecutive days; also referred to as a permanent substitute. 

Mentor--For an internship candidate, an educator who is employed as a classroom teacher on the candidate's campus and who is assigned to support the candidate during the internship experience. 

Pedagogy--The art and science of teaching that incorporates instructional methods that are developed from scientifically based research. 

Post-baccalaureate program--An EPP, delivered by an accredited IHE and approved by the SBEC to recommend candidates for certification, that is designed for individuals who already hold at least a bachelor's degree and are seeking an additional degree. 

Probationary certificate--A type of certificate as specified in §230.37 of this title (relating to Probationary Certificates) that is issued to a candidate who has passed all required certification examinations and is completing requirements for certification through an approved EPP. 

Residency--A supervised educator assignment for an entire school year through a partnership between an EPP and a public school accredited by the TEA or other school approved by the TEA for this purpose that may lead to completion of an enhanced standard certificate. 

School day--Actual school attendance days during the regular academic school year, including a partial day or extended day that students attend school for instructional purposes as adopted by the district or governing body of the school, excluding weekends, holidays, summer school, etc. 

School year--The period of time starting with the first instructional day for students through the last instructional day for students as identified on the calendar of the campus or district for the school year in which the candidate is completing the clinical experience. 

Site supervisor--For a practicum candidate, an educator who is assigned collaboratively by the campus or district administrator and the EPP and who supports the candidate during the practicum experience. 

Standard certificate--A type of certificate issued to an individual who has met all requirements for a given class of certification, as specified in §230.33 of this title. 

Teacher of record--An educator who is employed by a school or district and who teaches in an academic instructional setting or a career and technical instructional setting not less than an average of four hours each day and is responsible for evaluating student achievement and assigning grades.