(a) Preparation for the certification of educators may be delivered by an institution of higher education, regional education service center, public school district, or other entity approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) under §228.10 of this title (relating to Approval Process).     
      (b) The preparation of educators shall be a collaborative effort among public schools accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and/or TEA-recognized private schools; regional education service centers; institutions of higher education; and/or business and community interests; and shall be delivered in cooperation with public schools accredited by the TEA and/or TEA-recognized private schools. An advisory committee with members representing as many as possible of the groups identified as collaborators in this subsection shall assist in the design, delivery, evaluation, and major policy decisions of the educator preparation program (EPP). The approved EPP shall inform each member of the advisory committee of the roles and responsibilities of the advisory committee and shall meet a minimum of once during each academic year.     
      (c) The governing body and chief operating officer of an entity approved to deliver educator preparation shall provide sufficient support to enable the EPP to meet all standards set by the SBEC and shall be accountable for the quality of the EPP and the candidates whom the program recommends for certification.     
      (d) All EPPs must be implemented as approved by the SBEC as specified in §228.10 of this title.     
      (e) An EPP that is rated "accredited" or "accredited-not rated" may amend its program, provided the program informs TEA staff of any amendments 60 days prior to implementing the amendments. An EPP must submit notification of a proposed amendment to its program on a letter signed by the EPP's legally authorized agent or representative that explains the amendment, details the rationale for changes, and includes documents relevant to the amendment.     
      (f) An EPP that is not rated "accredited" or "accredited-not rated" may amend its program, provided the program informs TEA staff of any amendments 120 days prior to implementing the amendments. An EPP must submit notification of a proposed amendment on a letter signed by the EPP's legally authorized agent or representative that explains the amendment, details the rationale for changes, and includes documents relevant to the amendment. The EPP will be notified in writing of the approval or denial of its proposal within 60 days following the receipt of the notification by the TEA staff.     
      (g) Each EPP must develop and implement a calendar of program activities that must include a deadline for accepting candidates into a program cycle to assure adequate time for admission, coursework, training, and field-based experience requirements prior to a clinical teaching or internship experience. If an EPP accepts candidates after the deadline, the EPP must develop and implement a calendar of program activities to assure adequate time for admission, coursework, training, and field-based experience requirements prior to a clinical teaching experience or prior to or during an internship experience.     
      (h) All EPPs shall have a published exit policy for dismissal of candidates that is reviewed and signed by candidates upon admission.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §228.20 adopted to be effective July 11, 1999, 24 TexReg 5011; amended to be effective December 14, 2008, 33 TexReg 10016; amended to be effective October 27, 2014, 39 TexReg 8388; amended to be effective December 27, 2016, 41 TexReg 10280; amended to be effective October 15, 2020, 45 TexReg 7255