QUESTION
How can I re-test on a Webinar quiz if I scored below 80%?
ANSWER:
If you do not pass a webinar 5-question quiz (score of 80% or higher), you cannot re-test for it in order to receive credit. However, you can choose to attend an optional webinar (live or recorded) to receive credit for a required webinar in which you did not pass the quiz. As long as you score 80% or above on the make-up webinar quiz, you will receive attendance and related CPE credit.
One (1) CPE credit will be awarded for each live or recorded Webinar that you attend. The cumulative number of CPE credits that you earn through Webinar attendance will be printed on one certificate and will be given to participants at the June Summit.
For more information, login to WebCT and once in the TEXAS PRINCIPAL EXCELLENCE PROGRAM course, click on the Webinar Series to access the Recordings & Handouts and Quizzes.
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QUESTION
What happens if I don't participate in TxPEP?
ANSWER:
The TEA rules pertaining to accreditation criteria say that "if a campus is rated Academically Unacceptable in the state academic accountability rating system for the current school year, the commissioner of education shall assign a campus intervention team (CIT)" …and that the "principal of a campus assigned a CIT under subsection (a) of this section, or any person employed to replace that principal, shall participate in and complete the program requirements of the School Leadership Pilot Program (SLPP)." [SLPP is now called TxPEP.] "The district shall be responsible for any costs associated with participation in the SLPP, such as travel, lodging, or extra duty pay. Participation in the SLPP shall begin not later than October 1 of the current school year. All program requirements of the SLPP shall be completed within one year of enrolling in the program." (see 97.1063. Campus Intervention Team; Reconstitution at: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/proposed/0607/97-ee-one.html.
"If the commissioner of education finds that a district or campus does not satisfy the accreditation criteria …the commissioner may lower the district's accreditation status, academic accountability rating, or financial accountability rating, as applicable, and take appropriate action under this subchapter. ….Regardless of whether the commissioner lowers a district's status or rating ,,,, the commissioner may take action … necessary to improve any area of performance by the district or campus." (see §97.1057. Accreditation Sanctions at: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/commissioner/proposed/0607/97-ee-one.html.
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QUESTION
Can the pre- and post-assessments that I complete as a TxPEP principal be used for certification or recertification that is required?
ANSWER:
No. The assessment process that is used by Principal Assessment Centers is different from these assessments. If you are scheduled to certify, or recertify, this year, you will need to follow your district's process for registering for the Principal Assessment Center. However, the results from these two assessments will provide additional information that you can use in your plan for professional growth.
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QUESTION
As a principal in an AU school, I am concerned about being away from the building for nine (9) days of professional development in this school year. Shouldn’t I be spending as much time as I can in my building?
ANSWER:
The time off-site in the TxPEP professional development is designed to build individual participants’ leadership skills in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the campus leadership. We anticipate that the return on the investment of time should more than pay for itself.
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QUESTION
Who is required to participate in the Texas Principal Excellence Program (TxPEP)?
ANSWER:
TEA has designed and implemented a number of programs to assist principals of campuses rated as Academically Unacceptable (AU) in the state accountability system. The Texas Principal Excellence Program (TxPEP) is one of these programs and is authorized under Subchapter E Chapter 11, §11.203 of the Education Code (formerly referred to at the School Leadership Pilot Program). TEA has designated principals of AU campuses as required program attendees for the 2007-2008 academic year, though any principal or aspiring principal may apply for this program.
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QUESTION
What happens to those who appeal their Academically Unacceptable rating in August but do not find out until late September or even October if the appeal was successful. Are they entitled to cancel out of the program?
ANSWER:
Yes, but we hope they stay!
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QUESTION
What if we already have required campus improvement plans being implemented on our campus? I’m concerned that the TxPEP may either cause us to lose focus or be an additional initiative.
ANSWER:
The action plans in TxPEP will support and integrate the statutorily required campus improvement plans that all schools must have. We can assure participants that TxPEP is designed to enhance current campus work—whether it is a reform initiative or recommendations and requirements from Campus Intervention Teams.
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QUESTION
Where can principals and their Central Office personnel learn more about CPE credits that will be given for participation?
ANSWER:
Please visit: http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/certinfo/faq_certrenew.asp#14.
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QUESTION
Will there be a single point person in each district to coordinate with all affected principals relative to this program, or is the intent that all correspondence will go directly to the affected principals?
ANSWER:
Many districts are going to want a "point person" to be copied on all communications to affected principals. We intend to communicate regularly with the participants as well as the superintendent’s office or his/her designee.
Click here to see some tips for supporting principals participating in TxPEP.
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QUESTION
Will there be a place that TxPEP participants and anyone else who is interested can go to learn more about the program and to stay up-to-date?
ANSWER:
Visit and bookmark: www.txpep.org
Please sign up for the TxPEP listserv so you’ll get the TEA updates: http://miller.tea.state.tx.us/list/
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QUESTION
What is the difference between an AU rating and not meeting AYP?
ANSWER:
An AU rating is associated with the State accountability system, whereas not meeting AYP is associated with the Federal accountability system. As you prepare for the 2007-2008 academic year, it is important to understand the differences between State and Federal ratings and the programs related to the two accountability systems. Below we have outlined some of the key distinctions between the two accountability systems in an attempt to provide greater clarity for principals.
State Accountability
The State accountability system which is mandated by the Texas Legislature assigns one of four ratings to each district and campus: 1) Exemplary, 2) Recognized, 3) Academically Acceptable, or 4) Academically Unacceptable (AU).
In 2007-08, the ratings for the state accountability system will be based on the TAKS test results in Reading/English language arts (ELA), Mathematics, Writing, Science and Social Studies. Dropout and completion rates will also be evaluated for middle school and high school campuses.
Federal Accountability
The Federal accountability system is based on the federal No Child Left Behind Act and was first applied to Texas schools in 2003. All districts and campuses are evaluated for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and receive one of two Federal ratings: 1) Meets AYP or 2) Missed AYP.
In 2007-08, AYP ratings will be based on test results in Reading/ELA and Mathematics from the TAKS, TAKS-M, TAKS-Alt, and linguistically accommodated test (LAT) versions of the TAKS tests. Elementary and middle school campuses are also evaluated on attendance rates, while high schools are evaluated on graduation rates.
TEA has created a matrix that compares the elements used in the State and Federal accountability systems for the 2006-07 school year. This matrix is available on-line at: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2007/manual/app_c.pdf.
