The state has officially granted the extension for the 068 exam. This outcome provides necessary relief for so many students who were caught in a difficult transition. Your contributions were vital in bringing this issue to the attention of those who hold the power to change it.
April 17, 2019
Final supporters
To Whom It May Concern:
I am asking for your consideration and support of a matter that is negatively affecting many educational leadership graduate students across Texas. The changes to the principal certification test and lack of transparency for the new testing expectations have left students scrambling to fill in the gaps from their course work. This letter will list the problems that current universities and students are facing while offering a common sense solution.
Problem
- Universities are requiring students to prepare and take the new TExES Principal (268) certification test even if their course plan was not structured to reflect this exam. TEA did not recommend preparation for the new 268 exam until 1/1/2018 and many students that began their course plan before this date and were preparing for the previous TExES Principal (068) are being affected.
- Students that are preparing for graduation and certification for Spring 2019 must now wait until July 29th to test. This hinders a student’s opportunity to apply for an administrative position and/or compete against individuals that are already certified.
- The study material and practice tests were just released in 2019. This is not enough time for universities to adjust their course plans and create study sessions for the new 268 exam.
Solution
- Allow students that started their coursework prior to 1/1/2018 to take the TExES Principal (068) exam. This would be more appropriate, since students were initially preparing to take this exam.
When the new STAAR tests were first administered, secondary students were allowed to continue to take the TAKS test because it measured the standards they were expected to learn. The phase-in period for STAAR allowed educators to adjust their curriculum and course work to meet the state’s new expectations. This consideration should be provided to graduate students and universities that are currently being required to adjust to the new principal standards and exams. If TEA follows their precedent when implementing a new exam, then there should be a phase-in period to allow for changes to occur without negatively affecting those currently enrolled or near finishing their principal certification programs. I appreciate your time and consideration of bringing this matter back to the State Board of Education for review.
Sincerely,
Rene Esquivel
Graduate Student
UTSA Cohort Fall ‘17
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
February 28, 2019
25 Comments
As an educator of 40+ years holding a mid-management certificate, I realize the importance of the connection between instruction and evaluation. I highly recommend a transition year to accommodate those students whose instruction in Instructionsl Leadership programs does not match the evaluation instrument.
Future administrators should not be hindered in applying and being hired for jobs for the 19-20 school year due the fact the state is behind on finalizing the new version of the principals exam. Please make available the older version until you are ready to release the new version.
The preparation time for this new exam does not allow us enough time to prepare and ensure a passing score. We should be allowed to take the previous test as we have not been adequately prepared through our university course work for this new change on the certification exam.
I experienced a very similar situation when completing my Master’s coursework for library science. It was very frustrating to try to meet standards and expectations that were not originally expressed to us. Upon further review and consideration my university grandfathered those of us that began before a certain date into original requirements. This allowed for everyone to feel confident and secure in meeting degree and certification requirements.
I believe TEA & SBEC should consider students currently enrolled in certification programs when making changes that will affect their coursework and certification requirements. It's not fair to start a program expecting one outcome and be given another hoop to jump through at the end.
Do the right thing, period !
This is necessary!
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Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The state has officially granted the extension for the 068 exam. This outcome provides necessary relief for so many students who were caught in a difficult transition. Your contributions were vital in bringing this issue to the attention of those who hold the power to change it.
April 17, 2019
Final supporters
To Whom It May Concern:
I am asking for your consideration and support of a matter that is negatively affecting many educational leadership graduate students across Texas. The changes to the principal certification test and lack of transparency for the new testing expectations have left students scrambling to fill in the gaps from their course work. This letter will list the problems that current universities and students are facing while offering a common sense solution.
Problem
- Universities are requiring students to prepare and take the new TExES Principal (268) certification test even if their course plan was not structured to reflect this exam. TEA did not recommend preparation for the new 268 exam until 1/1/2018 and many students that began their course plan before this date and were preparing for the previous TExES Principal (068) are being affected.
- Students that are preparing for graduation and certification for Spring 2019 must now wait until July 29th to test. This hinders a student’s opportunity to apply for an administrative position and/or compete against individuals that are already certified.
- The study material and practice tests were just released in 2019. This is not enough time for universities to adjust their course plans and create study sessions for the new 268 exam.
Solution
- Allow students that started their coursework prior to 1/1/2018 to take the TExES Principal (068) exam. This would be more appropriate, since students were initially preparing to take this exam.
When the new STAAR tests were first administered, secondary students were allowed to continue to take the TAKS test because it measured the standards they were expected to learn. The phase-in period for STAAR allowed educators to adjust their curriculum and course work to meet the state’s new expectations. This consideration should be provided to graduate students and universities that are currently being required to adjust to the new principal standards and exams. If TEA follows their precedent when implementing a new exam, then there should be a phase-in period to allow for changes to occur without negatively affecting those currently enrolled or near finishing their principal certification programs. I appreciate your time and consideration of bringing this matter back to the State Board of Education for review.
Sincerely,
Rene Esquivel
Graduate Student
UTSA Cohort Fall ‘17
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
February 28, 2019
25 Comments
Please do! This isn't fair for graduates that was enrolled in the program prior to the changes. The university that I attended prepared us for 068. Now, I am hearing about 268 and I have to prep myself for a complete different test. This is consuming my money and time. Please think of us teachers and leaders that would like to be given the opportunity to lead at a school with the resources that we were taught to use and don't allow an examination hold us behind from having some of the best leaders to lead TX schools. Thank you for considering!
As an educator of 40+ years holding a mid-management certificate, I realize the importance of the connection between instruction and evaluation. I highly recommend a transition year to accommodate those students whose instruction in Instructionsl Leadership programs does not match the evaluation instrument.
Future administrators should not be hindered in applying and being hired for jobs for the 19-20 school year due the fact the state is behind on finalizing the new version of the principals exam. Please make available the older version until you are ready to release the new version.
The preparation time for this new exam does not allow us enough time to prepare and ensure a passing score. We should be allowed to take the previous test as we have not been adequately prepared through our university course work for this new change on the certification exam.
I experienced a very similar situation when completing my Master’s coursework for library science. It was very frustrating to try to meet standards and expectations that were not originally expressed to us. Upon further review and consideration my university grandfathered those of us that began before a certain date into original requirements. This allowed for everyone to feel confident and secure in meeting degree and certification requirements.
I believe TEA & SBEC should consider students currently enrolled in certification programs when making changes that will affect their coursework and certification requirements. It's not fair to start a program expecting one outcome and be given another hoop to jump through at the end.
Do the right thing, period !
This is necessary!
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Please do! This isn't fair for graduates that was enrolled in the program prior to the changes. The university that I attended prepared us for 068. Now, I am hearing about 268 and I have to prep myself for a complete different test. This is consuming my money and time. Please think of us teachers and leaders that would like to be given the opportunity to lead at a school with the resources that we were taught to use and don't allow an examination hold us behind from having some of the best leaders to lead TX schools. Thank you for considering!