Section 228.21 - Program Consolidation or Closure(a) An educator preparation program (EPP) that is consolidating or closing, whether as an entire program or only for specific individual certification categories or classes and whether voluntarily or by order of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), must comply with the following procedures to ensure that all issues relevant to EPP consolidation or closure have been addressed. (1) The EPP shall submit a letter on official letterhead to Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff signed by the legal authority of the EPP that contains a formal statement of consolidation or closure with a specified effective date for consolidation or closure at least 90 days and no more than 270 days after the date of the letter.(2) The legal authority of the EPP shall meet with TEA staff weekly between the date of the notice letter required in paragraph (1) of this subsection and the date of closure.(3) The EPP shall contact the following types of candidates, either in the entire program or in the impacted certification category or class depending on the scope of the closure, with notification of consolidation or closure and the steps candidates must take in relation to their status, and shall maintain evidence of the attempts to notify each candidate: (A) currently enrolled candidates;(B) candidates who have been enrolled within the previous five years; and(C) completers within the previous five years.(4) The EPP shall not admit candidates or recommend candidates for an intern or probationary certificate within one year of its closure date.(5) The EPP shall identify approved EPPs to provide test approval and standard certification recommendations for completers at the closing EPP. (A) The closing EPP shall provide its candidates with a list of approved EPPs that can continue to support completers through test approval and standard certification.(B) To expedite the candidates' transfer to other programs, the closing EPP shall provide each candidate with appropriate documentation, such as a transcript or transfer form, reflecting all program requirements the candidate has met.(6) For five years after an EPP's closure, the EPP must identify and keep current a representative's name, electronic mail address, and telephone number to provide access to candidate records and responses to former candidate's questions and/or issues. If an EPP is consolidating, the candidate records will transfer to the new EPP.(7) The EPP must complete required SBEC and TEA actions, including required submissions of information, surveys, and other accountability data; removal of security accesses; reconciliation of certification recommendations; and payment of the Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs technology fee as specified in § 229.9 of this title (relating to Fees for Educator Preparation Program Approval and Accountability).(b) The chief operating officer, legal authority, or a member of the governing body of an EPP that fails to comply with the consolidation or closure procedures in this section is not eligible to apply for SBEC approval to offer an EPP.(c) The chief operating officer, legal authority, or a member of the governing body of an EPP that closes voluntarily due to pending TEA or SBEC action or involuntarily due to SBEC action is not eligible to apply for SBEC approval to offer an EPP.(d) If an EPP is consolidating or closing only individual certification classes or categories and fails to comply with the consolidation procedures in this section, TEA staff may make a recommendation that the SBEC impose sanctions affecting the new EPP's accreditation status in accordance with § 229.5 of this title (relating to Accreditation Sanctions and Procedures) and/or continuing approval status in accordance with § 229.6 of this title (relating to Continuing Approval).(e) If an EPP violates any of the requirements as prescribed in subsection (a)(1)-(7) of this section, TEA staff shall recommend revocation of the EPP's continuing approval to prepare and recommend candidates for certification in accordance with § 229.6(c) of this title.19 Tex. Admin. Code § 228.21
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 20, May 17, 2024, TexReg 3545, eff. 9/1/2024