If you have a standard renewable certificate or you have voluntarily opted in to the certificate renewal system, you must obtain CPE from an SBEC-approved provider to renew your certificate. Existing school district-provided in-service should count toward the CPE requirement, as may other activities such as college coursework, professional seminars, mentoring and self-directed study. TCTA is an SBEC-approved provider. Members can earn CPE hours through TCTA’s free online seminars.
One semester credit hour earned at an accredited institution of higher education is equivalent to 15 CPE clock hours.
Continuing education requirements for educators must include training regarding educating students with disabilities.
Additionally, other than hours needed to comply with required topics for CPE (see below), CPE activities must be related to the certificate(s) being renewed and focus on the standards required for issuance of the certificate(s), including:
A classroom teacher must attain no more than 25% of CPE hours that include training directly related to each of the following topics and may include two or more listed topics combined:
A school counselor must attain no more than 25% of CPE hours that include training directly related to each of the following topics:
An educator may fulfill up to 16 clock hours of required CPE activities by participating in an evidence-based mental health first aid training program or an evidence-based grief-informed and trauma-informed care program that is offered through a classroom instruction format that requires in-person attendance. A person receiving this training will receive credit for twice the number of hours of instruction provided under that program, not to exceed 16 hours.
An educator may receive credit toward CPE requirements for:
State law provides that continuing education requirements for educators teaching students with dyslexia must include training on new research and practices in the area. Completion of a literacy achievement academy meets this requirement.
For more information on CPE requirements and a list of SBEC-approved providers, click on the Texas Educators link at www.tea.texas.gov.
Some districts also require professional development as a condition of employment. While each district can decide what it will count for local employment purposes, it cannot decide what will count for CPE purposes.
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