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COMPACT
WITH TEXANS
The
State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) is committed to
establishing and maintaining high standards of customer service
to our clients. All clients will be treated with the utmost courtesy
and respect; all requests for information or services will be
handled as quickly and efficiently as possible; agency products
will reflect high levels of quality, accuracy, and timeliness;
and all representatives of the agency will interact with clients
with the highest regard for honesty, integrity, and accountability.
Any
comments, suggestions, or complaints regarding the provision of
information and services should be submitted in writing to SBEC's
Customer Service Representative. A written response will be provided
within 10 business days. Please address your comments, suggestions,
or complaints to:
State
Board for Educator Certification
Capitol Station
Jim Thompson
P.O. Box 12728
Austin, TX 78711-2728
Phone: (512) 936-8400
Fax: (512) 936-8402
E-mail: Jim.Thompson@sbec.state.tx.us
The
two primary sources of information related to SBEC activities
and services are:
SBEC
Web Site: http//www.sbec.state.tx.us
SBEC Information and Support Center: 1-888-863-5880 (toll free)
SBEC
staff is committed to ensuring that the information provided by
these two primary sources is accurate, timely, reliable, and easy
to access. If you have any comments or suggestions to improve
these sources, please direct your written comments to the Customer
Service Representative using the contact information provided
above.
According
to the Texas Education Code, SBEC is responsible for regulating
all aspects of the preparation, certification, and conduct of
public school educators. Because SBEC activities seek to improve
the quality of the profession, the agency's ultimate customers
are the almost four million students attending Texas public schools.
SBEC's
major customers include prospective and current educators; administrators,
faculty, and staff at approved and prospective educator preparation
programs; and administrators, faculty, and staff in public school
districts and campuses. Specifically, SBEC provides services for
these and other customers in the following areas:
- Initial
Approval and Annual Accountability of Educator Preparation
Programs - The Board must approve all programs that will prepare
educators for certification. The Board also annually accredits
these programs based on the performance of their students
on the examinations required for certification. Under the
Accountability System for Educator Preparation, if a program
fails to meet the Board's accreditation standards, the agency
coordinates a series of intervention procedures to assist
the program in identifying areas of concern and implementing
recommended actions to meet state standards.
- Development
and Administration of Certification Examinations - Prospective
educators must pass one or more examinations to be eligible
for a certificate. A contractor serves under the direction
of SBEC staff to administer the exam program and is held to
the same high standards of performance and delivery of customer
service that is expected of agency staff. Exam administrations
are held on several dates throughout the fiscal year at multiple
sites across the state and examinees can expect to receive
their results no more than seven weeks after the exam administration.
Administration dates and sites are reviewed annually to enhance
access and convenience. Agency staff is also coordinating
the development of new certification standards and corresponding
exams that will be aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge
and Skills.
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Issuance of Educator Credentials - This is SBEC's core service;
therefore, timeliness of processing applications for certificates
is the most important measure of customer satisfaction for
the agency. Applicants for a certificate or temporary/emergency
credential are subject to a criminal records check, verification
of appropriate degree and work experience requirements, verification
of completion of preparation and certification exam requirements,
and submission of a fee. The processes associated with these
functions are being transferred over the next several years
to a new web-based technology system that should result in
a shorter processing period. Applicants who satisfy all certification
requirements should receive their certificate within thirty
(30) calendar days of SBEC receiving a completed application.
Due to the implementation of significant changes to the agency's
technology system, delays are possible. If such delays occur,
information will be posted prominently on the agency web site
and updates will be provided.
- Enforcement
of Professional Conduct - Unfortunately, a small percentage
of educators engage in criminal and unethical behavior and
the agency is responsible for investigating allegations of
such behavior and, if appropriate, sanctioning the credentials
of educators. Sanctions can include a written reprimand, probation,
suspension, or revocation. The time required to resolve these
cases varies according to the nature of the allegation, the
availability and accessibility of reliable evidence, and the
availability of an administrative judge to hear the case.
In most cases, allegations of misconduct are resolved within
six months, but some cases take as long as two years to resolve.
SBEC
will continue to strive to improve its operations to provide services
in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. Any customer who
is dissatisfied with the level of service received by the agency
or its staff is encouraged to contact SBEC's Customer Service
Representative. We welcome and appreciate any and all comments
that will help us implement new practices and/or enhance existing
practices to better serve the people of Texas.
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Board Members
