The state requires all Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) to have an exit policy for the dismissal of candidates that is published, reviewed, and signed by candidates when they are admitted to the program. The requirement is found in 19 TAC §228.20(h). 

HCDE Center for Educator Success participants may be removed from the HCDE Alternative Certification Program (HCDE ACP) when candidates demonstrate behavior inconsistent with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions expected of teachers and leaders in Texas. Dismissal from the program may be based on grounds including but not limited to: 

1. Failure to abide by policies and/or procedures established by the HCDE ACP and/or program requirements established by the State Board for Educator Certification as published in the Texas Administrative Code. 

2. Failure to abide by the HCDE Center for Educator Success’s Candidate Handbook policies and expectations. 

3. Any action deemed a violation of the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators, and/or; 

4. Any action deemed a violation of Fitness to Teach Policy; and/or; 

5. Any action deemed a violation of school district and/or campus policy during field-based experiences, clinical teaching, internship, or practicum. 

6. Failure to comply with probation/suspension terms if applicable.  

7. Moving to an ‘Inactive Candidate’ status. An ‘Inactive Candidate’ is one who is no longer completing coursework, training, and/or testing requirements with HCDE ACP after one semester of inactivity. 

8. Failure to complete HCDE Center for Educator Success and TEA certification expectations in a timely manner. 

A candidate may be placed on probation/suspension due to inadequate progress. The terms and length of probation/suspension will be determined by the Compliance Manager or Senior Director based on the circumstances and documented in the candidate’s file. A candidate may be dismissed from the program without first being placed on probation/suspension depending on the severity of the violation or offense. Inadequate progress includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

1. Nonpayment of program fees.   

2. Failure to pass required content exams within two years of admission date.  

3. Failure to meet Timeline for Program Completion.   

4. Excessive absences.  

5. Failure to complete required coursework according to program timelines. 

Should a Candidate be removed from the HCDE Alternative Certification Program (HCDE ACP): 

1. The Candidate’s campus leader and/or HR team may be notified; 

2. The Candidate shall forfeit any sums of money paid to HCDE ACP during their enrollment in the program;  

3. The Candidate may be eligible for readmission in the HCDE Alternative Certification Program (HCDE ACP) on a case-by-case basis. 

• Core Subjects EC-6                            ​
• Core Subjects EC-6 / English as a Second Language (ESL)​
• Core Subjects EC-6 / Bilingual Spanish​
• Core Subjects EC-6 / Special Education EC-12
• ELAR 4-8​
• Math 4-8​
• Science 4-8 ​
• ELAR 7-12​
• Math 7-12​
• Science 7-12​
• Life Science 7-12

Houston Endowment Grant

We are excited to announce an incredible partnership with Houston Endowment where they have invested in our program growth with a 3-year grant awarded in August 2024! The grant is to support CES with growing the districts we partner with and increasing the number of teachers we serve. Ultimately impacting the number of certified teachers in our communities we serve!

TPI-US & Houston Endowment Sub-Award

This past Spring 2024, the Center for Educator Success engaged in a quality program review through TPI-US. The program quality review process was a comprehensive review designed to assess and enhance the effectiveness of our educator preparation program. As the program is rooted in continuous improvement, we have upcoming collaborations set with TPI-US team to dive into their recommendations and engage in strategic improvement planning to continue to increase our program’s effectiveness. As part of our engagement in this process, the Houston Endowment is providing our program with funding to support improvement and capacity-building in the prioritized areas identified through the review for the next year. 

We are incredibly grateful to the Houston Endowment and TPI-US for the investment and support in our program and are looking forward to seeing the impacts of our partnerships with them!

Harris County Department of Education is required by Texas Education Code Chapter 22, Subchapter C to review criminal history of applicants, employees, independent contractors, student teachers, and certain volunteers, including AmeriCorps members. The Department will also conduct a national sex offender inquiry, state of residence and state of service checks, and a fingerprint-based FBI check as per the Serve America Act (45 CFR §2540.200 - §2540.207). The information requested below is necessary to comply with the above.

All applicants and candidates must undergo a preliminary criminal history background check prior to field-based experience and prior to employment as an educator.

• The potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP, the SBEC rules relating to eligibility of persons with a criminal history for certification, and
• The right to request a criminal history evaluation letter

For more information: Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation-FAQs