Frequently Asked Questions about the College of Education and COVID-19

Texas-based Pearson VUE-owned test centers (Pearson Professional Centers) for Texas Educator Certification Examination Program testing are open where local guidance permits.

In our most recent Texas Educator Certification Examination Program newsletter, we shared that two new, temporary testing supercenters are also open:

Pearson Temporary Test Centers-Austin TX
400 Center Ridge Drive, Austin, TX 78753

Pearson Temporary Test Centers-San Antonio TX
9500 Bulverde Road, San Antonio, TX 78258

These new supercenters are available in addition to the existing Pearson Professional Centers in Austin and San Antonio.

In order to meet health and safety guidelines and physical distancing restrictions, test centers across the state are re-opening with reduced capacity. As a result, when candidates search for available appointments, they may need to broaden their searches geographically or extend their search to future dates. Additional appointments may become available as more sites re-open, so candidates are encouraged to check back frequently.

The online appointment availability tool is accessible through the program website, and provides real-time information about the availability of test centers and test appointments. For any given exam, candidates can access this tool from the exam page, by clicking “Check appointment availability” in the Exam Dates row. Only open test centers and available test appointments will show up in the tool’s search results (note that appointments are not guaranteed to be available for a given location and time until they are booked through a candidate’s account).

We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues and with candidates who are scheduling to test. Other updates related to COVID-19 and the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program are available on the program website, at www.tx.nesinc.com.

For information and updates from TEA, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support and Guidance. Information specific to Educator Preparation Programs can be found on the COVID-19 Support: Texas Educators page.

Governor Abbott and the TEA have provided new guidelines to assist students who are completing clinical teaching that require specific hours/days, observations, and work to be completed within K-12 schools. 

CLINICAL TEACHERS: For students completing clinical teaching during spring semester 2020 ONLY, waivers are allowed for those who meet the following criteria:

1. Completed at least half of the required days of clinical teaching,
   • 35 days for full-day assignments or
   • 70 days for half-day assignments
2. Demonstrated proficiency in each of the educator standards for all required assignments (according to UTA faculty), and
3. Received a recommendation from your field supervisor and cooperating teacher that you should be recommended for a standard certificate.

 This information applies to candidates who are eligible to be certification seeking. Your program coordinator and/or assistant dean, Dr. Denise Collins, will be in contact with you regarding your status. Should it be determined that you do NOT currently meet the waiver requirements, please work with your faculty member and Dr. Collins to determine next steps.

PRACTICUM STUDENTS: For students completing their practicum during spring semester 2020 ONLY, waivers are allowed for those who have successfully met the following requirements for the practicum:

1. Completed at least half of the required practicum hours (80 hours)
2. Demonstrated proficiency in each of your educator standards in all required assignments (according to UTA faculty), and
3. Received a recommendation from your field supervisor and site supervisor that you should be recommended for a standard certificate.

Your program coordinator and Accelerated Online Program supervisor of field experiences, Brenda Harris, will be in contact with you regarding your status. Should it be determined that you do NOT currently meet the waiver requirements, please work with your program coordinator and Brenda Harris to determine next steps. 

This information applies to candidates who are eligible to be certification seeking. Please note that this does not apply to students who are late in submitting documents and have a practicum hold.

Please work with your instructor to identify alternative assignments that will not require visiting a school. 

Please continue to check the following site regarding Texas exams and opportunities for testing:  http://www.tx.nesinc.com/

While most of the campus is now telecommuting for safety reasons, our advisors, faculty, and staff are available. To speak with an advisor, please visit the following: https://www.uta.edu/coed/advising/undergradadvising/contact.php and complete a request for a Zoom appointment with your advisor. Should your needs be more immediate, please email your faculty member or your program area’s department chair.

Yes! Please schedule an appointment with your advisor if you need assistance in registering for classes. There are separate pages for scheduling with undergraduate and graduate advisors.

Your faculty will defer to your original accommodation letter and provide the appropriate and identified accommodations. Should you have additional accommodation needs as a result of learning online, please work with your faculty member or contact UTA’s Office of Students with Disabilities.

Faculty will work with students on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your instructor to discuss your situation and next steps. A doctor’s note may be required.

Student teaching seminars are being managed by each program area. Please check with your faculty and supervisors and continue to watch your email for messages about any scheduled virtual meetings.

As you are aware, the majority of faculty and staff from the UTA campus are now working from home to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Staff in the financial aid office are especially burdened addressing financial aid as students enroll and withdraw from courses. Their webpage may have an answer for you if you have a frequently asked general question: https://www.uta.edu/fao/contact/. If not, click on the link to “Ask Blaze”. It make take a little time to get a response but, that will be the most direct way to obtain assistance. Unfortunately, the College of Education has no authority or ability to address issues related to financial aid.

The events and new way of living are impacting everyone and we need to take care of ourselves and others. UTA does offer online Counseling and Psychological services (CAPS) online and by appointment (https://www.uta.edu/caps/). However, with current events, appointments may be limited. You might consider contacting your personal physician for support. Other things you might do include:

• Phone a friend or family member – they may enjoy hearing from you as much as you enjoy updating them about what is happening on your end.
• Make the most of your time at home! Make a list of all the things you want to accomplish while home and begin getting them done. This is a great time to…clean out closets, sort through old clothes and determine what to donate, or simply to read a good book.
• Catch up on homework or… get ahead in your readings!
• Go for a walk, get some fresh air…just maintain your “social distance” if others are also out.
• Change the channel! Instead of continuous news coverage about the coronavirus, watch a movie or binge watch an entire series you’ve been wanting to watch!
• Meditate….if you are not sure how to do this, there are numerous YouTube videos that may assist in just bringing a sense of calm.
• Try to maintain your regular routines and sleep patterns. This also aids in maintaining a sense of normalcy.

Some internet service providers are making accommodations to assist with internet access during this time. Here are a few links with information from major providers:

• Comcast (free WiFi for low-income households) https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19 
• Spectrum (free for students only) https://www.wbtv.com/2020/03/15/spectrum-offer-students-free-internet-amid-covid-pandemic/  
• Charter (free for students only) https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more 
• AT&T (paid, not free; no late fees next 60 days) https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html 
• Verizon (paid, not free; no late fees next 60 days) https://www.verizon.com/about/news/our-response-coronavirus 
• T-Mobile (paid, not free; no late fees next 60 days) https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response  
• Self service: https://uta.service-now.com/selfservice2?id=utassp01_kb_article&sys_id=4db18fa8dba78890d48b5e65ce9619bc&pageid=utassp02_kb_public_knowledge_base&kbnumber=KB0011314 

As well, some UTA computer labs are open at this time and are set up to maintain appropriate social distance for those computers. All open labs are staffed, and stations will be sanitized after each user.