Principal and Teacher Evaluation of Texas Educator Preparation Programs
| Date: | March 19, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Principal and Teacher Evaluation of Texas Educator Preparation Programs |
| Category: | Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs |
| Next Steps: | HR Personnel verify principal roster data for principals in AskTED and direct first-year teachers to update their email address in ECOS to ensure the survey is sent to a working email address. First-year teachers update their ECOS email address to reflect a frequently used email address. Principals of first-year teachers complete principal survey. First-year teachers complete the Evaluation of Educator Preparation Programs. |
Overview
To ensure educator preparation programs effectively prepare candidates for school systems, the ºÚÁÏÉç (TEA) is required by rule to collect data regarding the perceptions of preparedness of first-year teachers from both first-year teachers and their principals as part of the Accountability System for Educator Preparation.
Current State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §229.3(f)(3) require each principal who has first-year teachers on campus to complete a survey about the preparedness of the first-year teachers who work on their campuses. Additionally, SBEC rules in 19 TAC §229.3(f)(4) require all new teachers to complete an evaluation of their perception of their preparedness to teach.
According to 19 TAC §229.3(b), any individual holding a Texas-issued educator certificate who fails to provide required information may be subject to a sanction of their certificate, including the placement of restrictions, inscribed or non-inscribed reprimand, suspension or revocation. The information provided will assist in improving the preparation of teacher candidates through educator preparation programs (EPPs).
Principals and teachers will have access to information posted on the TEA website about the evaluation of EPPs. Additional information regarding the principal survey will be emailed to human resources personnel and principals using email addresses in the Texas Education Directory (AskTED). Please confirm with your TED administrator that your district and campus TED contact information has been updated.
Next Steps
Teachers will receive a link to the Evaluation of Educator Preparation Programs by Teachers via email at the email address they have provided in the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS). Please direct early career teachers to update their email addresses in their ECOS accounts before March 21, 2026.
Please note that the population surveyed for the evaluation of EPPs by teachers is the same list of teachers as in the principal survey, described below. We encourage principals and human resources staff to follow up with teachers who appear on the principal survey to ensure they complete their surveys.
Principals and First-year teachers will complete a survey for each teacher who meets all the following criteria:
- Working for their first year as a teacher of record in Texas public schools, according to the Fall PEIMS submission.
- Taught for at least five months of the current school year.
- Hold a standard, intern, or probationary certificate active at Fall PEIMS submission date in October 2025.
- Completed a Texas Educator Preparation program within the last 5 years or is currently enrolled in a Texas Educator Preparation Program.
Principal Survey
The principal surveys for 2026 are available in the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS).
Principals will have the opportunity to earn continuing professional education (CPE) credits upon completion of each survey. The results of this survey are used to monitor and understand the effectiveness of EPPs.
Key Dates for Principal Survey data collection:
- Monday, March 23, 2026 – Human Resources personnel access ECOS for principal roster verification
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Survey opens for principals in ECOS
- Monday, June 15, 2026 – Survey closes at midnight in ECOS (we encourage principals to complete surveys early to ensure accessibility to technical assistance, if needed.
For more information, including the survey questions, please visit the Principal Survey Website.
Questions regarding the principal survey can be submitted to principalsurvey@tea.texas.gov or, starting March 20, to the Principal Survey Help Desk. Please note that emails submitted to principalsurvey@tea.texas.gov after the Principal Survey Help Desk is opened will be redirected to the Help Desk.
Evaluation of Educator Preparation Programs by Teachers
A link to the evaluation for 2026 will be sent via email to eligible teachers. The evaluation is completed in Qualtrics. First-year teachers will receive a link to complete the mandatory preparation program evaluation.
Teachers earn 10 CPE credits upon completion of the evaluation. The results of this survey are used to monitor and understand the effectiveness of EPPs.
Key Dates for completion of the evaluation of educator preparation programs by teachers:
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Teachers receive the Qualtrics link via email
- Monday, June 15, 2026 – Final date to submit evaluation
Please visit the Evaluation of Educator Preparation Programs by Teachers Website for more information.
Questions regarding the EPP evaluation can be submitted to EPPevaluationbyteachers@tea.texas.gov or, starting March 20, to the EPP Evaluation by Teachers Help Desk. Please note that emails submitted to EPPevaluationbyteachers@tea.texas.gov after the EPP Evaluation by Teachers Help Desk is opened will be redirected to the Help Desk.