Educator Certification and Advancement
-
The ECA division offers two classes of Texas educator certificates: an initial teaching certificate and two professional certificates - principal and superintendent.
Teacher Program offers eleven certification areas for degreed individuals who would like to pursue a teaching career and become state-certified educators. The program consists of pre-service and paid internship phases and runs between 16 to 21 months which includes one full year of teaching as a teacher of record employed by a local school district. Applicants may apply any time during the year for our fall and spring cohorts. Graduates of our Teacher Program have been recognized on state and national levels.
Principal Program offers currently certified educators an opportunity to advance their credentials and earn Principal as Instructional Leader EC-12 state certificate through the Principal Academy. A ten-month accelerated program consists of weekend seminars, practicum, and action research. The program also prepares candidates to pass the state exam and assume leadership roles at district and campus-based levels. Graduates of our Principal Program serve as educational leaders in the Houston metropolitan area, in Texas, and other states.
Superintendent Program, launched in the fall of 2019, offers currently certified educators an opportunity to advance their credentials and earn Superintendent EC-12 state certificate through the Superintendent Certification Institute. A ten-month accelerated program consists of weekend seminars and job-embedded practicum. The program also prepares candidates to pass the state exam and assume executive leadership role of district superintendent.
The 2020 ECA Board Presentation is now available (opens in new tab).
2021-2022 Recruitment Seminars
-
Principal Preparation Program
Aspiring to lead a team, a department, or a school? Take the next step to enhance your career opportunities by joining the HCDE Principal Preparation and Certification Academy. The Academy is currently enrolling applicants to be a part of its residential cohort of aspiring administrators. Join us for a live information webinar to learn how you can elevate your leaderships skills while earning your Texas principal certificate in less than a year. Link to the webinar will be emailed to you once you register.
-
Teacher Preparation Program
Do you enjoy working with children and youth? Have you ever thought about becoming a teacher and obtaining your state teaching license? If you're ready for a meaningful and rewarding career change, join us to learn more about the Texas educator certification process, the requirements for admission into our program, and how you can start teaching while you're still working on your certification. Don't miss this opportunity and register today!
-
Leadership Development Opportunities
-
Testimonials
-
Division Highlights
-
Consumer Information
CONSUMER INFORMATION
Credit for Military ExperienceIn accordance with 19 TAC 228.35 (a)(5), HCDE ECA division evaluates, and may accept, military service, training, or education toward fulfillment of program requirements. Military service, training, or education must be directly related to the certificate being sought and may not take the place of certification examinations. To be eligible, individuals must meet one or both of the following requirements:
- Honorably discharged from the U.S. military, or
- Completed a minimum of two years of service in the U.S. military and have been discharged as a result of a service-related disability
Applicants should include a Joint Services Transcripts or other verifiable documentation of military service, training, or education with their application. Credit towards courses will be granted based on an evaluation that follows the guidelines established by the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experiences in the Armed Services. No credit will be given toward field experience, internship, or practicum requirements. To request a transcript evaluation for course credit, please contact the director.
Credit for Prior or Ongoing Service, Training, or Education
In accordance with 19 TAC 228.35 (a)(5), HCDE ECA division established a process that allows candidates who are not military service members or military veterans to substitute prior or ongoing service, training, or education, provided that the experience, education, or training is not also counted as a part of the internship, clinical teaching, or practicum requirements, was provided by an approved EPP or an accredited institution of higher education within the past five years, and is directly related to the certificate being sought. Specific details may be found in a Candidate Handbook.
HCDE educator preparation program utilizes the following standards, guidelines, and instruments in preparing teachers to:
- integrate technology effectively into curricula and instruction, including activities consistent with the principles of universal design for learning; and
- use technology effectively to collect, manage, and analyze data to improve teaching and learning for the purpose of increasing student academic achievement
Technology Integration Standards, Guidelines, and Assessment Instruments
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for Educators
- Quality Matters Continuing and Professional Education Standards Rubric
- Pre-Assessment Tool: The Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) and TIM Table of Teacher Descriptors
- TIM Digital Literacy Curriculum Framework with Prescribed Learnings based on Personal Pre-Assessment Results - select "more.." on the matrix for customized learning pathways
- Assessment Tool: ISTE Standards and T-TESS Performance Level Matrix
Supply and Demand Forces on the Educator Workforce
Teacher Preparation
During 2018-2019 school year, over 5.4 million students were enrolled in Texas schools. Student enrollment growth is projected to continue over the next decade at the same time as an aging teacher workforce becomes eligible for retirement. The demand for new teachers, especially minority teachers who reflect the changing student population demographics, will continue to hold.
According to the latest data from the Texas Education Agency, the approved state-level teacher shortage areas for the 2020-2021 school year are:
• Bilingual/English as a Second Language – Elementary and Secondary Levels
• Special Education – Elementary and Secondary Levels
• Career and Technical Education – Secondary Levels
• Technology Applications and Computer Science – Elementary and Secondary Levels
• Mathematics – Secondary Levels
Principal Preparation
According to the National Association for Secondary School Principals' Policy and Advocacy Center, the demand for employment of elementary, middle, and high school principals will grow 6 percent nationwide by the year 2022 due to population increases. This surge in demand will increase the financial burden on districts since the cost to recruit, hire, prepare, mentor, and continue training principals can cost school districts between $36,850 and $303,000, with typical urban school districts spending $75,000 per principal. Additional info on principal shortages may be found here.
Criminal Background Check & Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation
Pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator.
Applicants have the right to request a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation. The service is provided to the requestor for a non-refundable $50 fee by the Texas Education Agency. The requestor will receive an evaluation letter by email from Texas Education Agency staff advising of potential ineligibility for educator certification. To learn more, please see TEA FAQs and Steps to Request a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation.
Program Performance Over Time
2016-2017 Accreditation Rating 2016-2017 ASEP Annual Report
2015-2016 Accreditation Rating 2015-2016 ASEP Annual Report
2014-2015 Accreditation Rating
2013-2014 Accreditation Rating
- Honorably discharged from the U.S. military, or
-
Contact Us!
NOTE: HCDE facilities are currently closed due to COVID-19 - please use email to contact us
Main Office Phone: 713-696-1348
Teacher Program Email: HCDEACP@hcde-texas.org
Superintendent and Principal Programs Email: LeadNow@hcde-texas.orgTeacher Program Twitter @HCDETeachNow
Superintendent and Principal Programs Twitter @HCDELeadNow
Facebook /HCDEECAPhone: 713-696-1348
hcdeacp@hcde-texas.org
LeadNow@hcde-texas.org
@HCDETeachNow
@HCDELeadNow
/HCDEECA -
Accreditation
HCDE Educator Certification and Advancement (ECA) division is an educator preparation program accredited by the Texas Education Agency under the Accountability System for Education Preparation (ASEP).
ECA recruits, trains, supports, and certifies a cadre of high-quality individuals for both initial level teaching certificates and professional level certificates to meet the staffing needs of school districts in Harris County.