TPC Program Agreement
The following represents the TPC Program Agreement which is signed, and each paragraph initialed, at Candidate Orientation. It is the candidate's responsibility to carefully read and understand this agreement.
Region 10 Education Service Center (ESC) agrees to accept Candidate for the Teacher Preparation and Certification (TPC) Program. Candidate agrees to participate in the TPC Program sponsored by Region 10, pursuant to the program authorized by the Texas Education Code and the Region 10 ESC Teacher Preparation and Certification Program approved by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC). Furthermore, Candidate agrees to abide by all policies, local rules and regulations presently in effect, or which the school, district and/or Region 10 ESC may adopt during participation in the TPC Program.
Candidate agrees to fulfill all of the following responsibilities and understands that progress toward certification is contingent upon but not limited to, fulfillment of these responsibilities:
- Attending and successfully completing all required training including completion of all class assignments, online assignments and remedial activities/classes, and TExES study/review sessions as designated and required by TPC Program.
- Completing and submitting all required documentation promptly and within established timelines.
- Registering for and passing appropriate TExES, ExCET state examinations, or any other state examination(s) toward certification within the designated timeline, as required by TPC Program. Designated examinations must be passed before probationary certificates many be issued. Additional required examinations must be completed by the end of the first semester of internship, whenever possible.
- Maintaining an ethical and professional attitude toward all members of the school and the Region 10 community, according to the Texas Educator Code of Ethics (TAC 19.7.247.2) and the Region 10 TPC Program Guidelines.
- Requesting additional support/assistance, if needed, from TPC staff to assure satisfactory progress in the TPC Program.
- Attaining a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all university courses, if additional courses are required.
Candidate agrees participation in the TPC Program shall be “at will.” Candidate’s participation in the TPC Program is not a property interest and nothing in this agreement or in the written contract with a school/district shall be construed to create a property interest. Candidate understands that he/she may be dismissed from the TPC Program at any time, and that he/she will notify Region 10 TPC Program, in writing, if Candidate chooses to resign from the program. Candidate understands that dismissal from the TPC Program may occur if it is found that the participant does not comply with Region 10 TPC Program Guidelines and all other requirements. Candidate also understands that additional training, and/or university coursework, may be required for successful program completion and certification to occure. Additional training, books and/or tuition for university coursework, or an extended internship, if required, shall be solely the expense of Candidate.
Candidate authorizes exchange and disclosure of information among Region 10 ESC, school districts, charter schools and TEA accredited private schools, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), the Texas Education Agency, universities, and/or other entities relating to teaching or working with children and/or participating or cooperating in teacher certification programs, as such information may relate to suitability for internship, employment by a participating school, and/or status, good standing, or continuation as a candidate, intern, or school/district employee before and after acceptance in any of these capacities. Candidate authorizes investigation of all matters relating to his/her suitability for teaching/teacher certification and maintains acceptable status on criminal history records. Candidate understands that submission of false or misleading information/documents may result in dismissal from the Region 10 TPC Program.
Candidate agrees to assume the following financial responsibilities for this program:
- Satisfying payment of the training fee according to designated timelines and financial commitment agreement.
- Costs for state examinations required for area(s) of certification.
- Costs for travel to training sites.
- Additional $100 travel fee will be applied for individuals in approved internships in districts/schools outside of Region 10.
- Cost of $1000 transfer fee if participant transfers to another program after beginning training with Region 10 TPC Program.
- Additional training fee(s) will be applied for individuals seeking dual certification.
- Changing certification area(s) after initial training has been completed requires prior approval and may also require additional fees.
Upon securing a job as teacher of record within the confines of Region 10 (employment outside Region 10 must have prior approval), Candidate must notify Region 10 TPC and confirm approval before the internship begins. Intern agrees to initiate, execute and abide by a separate contract with a local school district, charter school or TEA accredited private school. Intern understands that the validity and continuation of this separate contract with an education agency is contingent upon Intern maintaining satisfactory status in the pursuit of certification within the TPC Program. Intern understands that only the Region 10 TPC Advisory Board may authorize an additional year of internship. Intern may not change employment from one school to another during his/her year of internship without prior approval of the TPC Advisory Board. Resignation/termination from a district/school will result in immediate withdrawal from the TPC Program. In the event of withdrawal/dismissal from the TPC Program, any amounts paid toward the required fee(s) are non-refundable.
Throughout the internship, Intern agrees to fulfill all of the following responsibilities and understands that a final recommendation for certification is contingent upon fulfillment of these responsibilities:
- Obtaining and maintaining satisfactory status as Teacher of Record (TEC5.001 Teaches not less than an average of 4 hours a day) with a school district, a charter or TEA accredited private school.
- Completing the application process for the probationary certificate and completing the state mandated fingerprinting procedures including payment of both fees to the State Board for Educator Certification immediately upon initiation of the internship.
- Discharging professional responsibilities in accordance with the Texas Education Code.
- Maintaining an ethical and professional attitude toward all members of the school and the Region 10 community, according to the Texas Educator Code of Ethics (TAC 19.7.247.2) and the Region 10 TPC Program Guidelines.
- Demonstrating mastery of training content and concepts through classroom application, as well as effectively utilizing recommended teaching strategies and instructional techniques.
- Completing and submitting all required documentation within established timelines.
- Implementing recommendations as evidenced through formal or informal observations/appraisals.
- Attaining an overall “Proficient” rating (with “Proficient” or “Above” required on Domains I-IV) on the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS) or satisfactory performance on another school selected teacher appraisal instrument.
- Achieving goals and objectives on Professional Action Plan and/or Growth Plans initiated by school administration and/or Region 10 TPC staff.
- Completing and submitting all required documentation within established timelines.
- Satisfying payment of all program fees according to designated timelines and financial commitment agreement.
- Participating in program evaluation survey.
- Achieving approval for certification from theRegion 10 TPC Advisory Board based upon input from the local district, charter or TEA accredited private school and the Region 10 TPC Program personnel.
- Applying and remitting payment online for standard certificate immediately upon receiving notification from Region 10.
Intern understands that Intern may not be recommended for certification, or may be dismissed from the TPC Program, based on recommendations of a school/district, Region 10 or the Region 10 TPC Advisory Board. In addition, Intern may not be recommended for certification, or may be dismissed from the TPC Program for cause, including but not limited to the following:
- Failure to follow district/school, SBEC and/or Region 10 TPC Program Guidelines, policies and procedures, administrative directives, and timelines.
- Failure to demonstrate satisfactory progress and achieve the objectives of a professional action plan and/or district/school growth plan.
- Failure to demonstrate satisfactory performance and progress with all other
- Region 10 TPC Program requirements and responsibilities.
- Failure to immediately notify Region 10 TPC regarding any change in teaching assignment or teaching status.
- Failure to meet specific professional expectations and responsibilities described in this agreement, the Region 10 TPC Program Guidelines, and the Intent to Initiate Internship form during program participation.
This agreement must be on file with Region 10 TPC Program before training/internship is initiated.
Updated 6/21/2007