Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the All-Level program?
2. Who are the All-Level coordinators?
3. What are the requirements for getting into the program?
4. How and where do I apply for admission to Teacher Preparation?
5. Once accepted to the All-Level Teacher Preparation Program, what courses do I need to take?
6. How do I get program advice?
7. What is field experience?
8. What are the requirements for becoming a teacher in the state of Texas?
9. What is the TExES exam?
10. What TExES exams do I need to take?
11. Where can I learn more about the TExES?

1.) What are the all-level programs?

The All-Level Certification Program consists of a sequence of professional education courses designed for art, music, and kinesiology majors who are following a degree plan with certification. These courses are sequenced developmentally and are known as “the Blocks.” Students who are seeking All-Level certification, upon passing the TExES exam in their content area and in the area of Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR), will be certified to teach children and adolescents in grades K-12 in Texas schools.
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2.) Who are the all-level coordinators?

Dr. Veronica Lopez Estrada, PhD
Associate Professor
College of Education
Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction - EDCC 2.630
The University of Texas-Pan American
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78541-2999
(956) 381-2431

email: vlestradaa@utpa.edu

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4.) How and where do I apply for admission to Teacher Preparation?

Entry to Teacher Preparation Programs at The University of Texas-Pan American begins with filling out and turning in an application to the Office of Teacher Certification and Admission Services, EDCC 1.302, 956-381-3420. Application and Deadlines can be found on their website: http://www.utpa.edu/colleges/coe/studentservices.

Applicants must pay a one time, non-refundable $40.00 application fee at the Office of Payments & Collections, SSB 1.145. Upon submitting the application, other items must be included with the completed application such as the student’s official degree plan, official transcript, degree audit, and fee receipt.

Kinesiology majors are encouraged to keep up with their content advisors in the Department of Health & Kinesiology (HPE I, Room 1.110).

As with all important matters, it is recommended that students keep copies of all documents in their personal files. Students denied admissions are encouraged to reapply once all requirements have been met.
 

5.) Once accepted to the All Level Teacher Preparation Program, what courses do I need to take?

Music, Art, Special Education Majors

Kinesiology Majors

7.) What is field experience?

During Block I, students will complete 6 days of field experience. Thus, if class is scheduled on M/W/F during field students will come to class on Monday and go out to a school to observe an actual teacher on Wednesday from 7:30 – 12:00  instead of coming to class, and go to class again on Friday. The all-level coordinator and advisor will arrange the field experience for all students. Each class section will be assigned to a particular school. An orientation to the school will take place the first day of field observation. Please note that all students must obtain a TB test before they can begin field observations. Prior to the beginning field observation, all students must provide the professor coordinating the field observation with the results of a TB test. In Block II there will be six days of field observation, however, instead of attending half a day, students will attend a full day. Block III is the actual student teaching for Music, Art and Health majors.

8.)The requirements for becoming a teacher in the state of Texas can be accessed at:

http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/certinfo/becometeacher.asp

9.)What is the TExES exam?

The TExES exam is the exam you have to take to become a certified teacher in Texas. You must pass both the content area exam and the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam to be certified. To learn more about the TExES exam go to

http://www.texes.ets.org/texes/prepMaterials/.

10.)Which TExES exams do I need to take?

If you are a Music major you need to take:

• TExES – Music EC-12 (177)
• TExES – Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160)

If you are an Art major and you want to be all-level certified, you need to take:

• ExCET – Art All-Level (05)
• TExES – Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160)

If you are a Health major you need to take:

• TExES – Health EC-12 (157)
• TExES – Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160)

If you are a Kinesiology major you need to take:

• TExES – Physical Education EC-12 (158)
• TExES – Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160)

11.)Where can I Learn more about the TExES or the ExCET

To learn more about the TExES or the ExCET go to http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/standtest/guidprepman.asp. You will find preparation manuals for any test you need to take, such as PPR EC-12 (160). Each manual describes how the test was designed, the types of questions you will need to answer, and sample tests that are very helpful in preparing for the exam.