PACE Planning Guide
Criminal History Background Information: A criminal background check including fingerprinting will be performed by the Texas Education Agency before a candidate will be allowed to certify or gain employment on a non-teacher certificate. TAC 227.1(b)(1)(2).
- Items on a candidate’s criminal history report may render the candidate ineligible for certification.
- Candidates may request a preliminary TEA background check for an evaluation of the criminal history. Please note that applicants may request a preliminary TEA background check for an opinion of charge prior to starting a program: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/preliminary-criminal-history-evaluation-faqs
- All applicants with any prior or current criminal charges are encouraged to discuss their specific background with the Director of Educator Preparation Programs before enrolling in any academic program that includes a certification route.
English Language Proficiency Requirement: An applicant for certification in Texas must be able to communicate, listen, read, write, and comprehend the English language sufficiently to use it easily and readily in daily communication and teaching. English language proficiency shall be evidenced by one of the following: Consult WTAMU’s university policy on language proficiency: https://www.wtamu.edu/student-support/international-student-services/Applicants/international-undergraduate-test-scores.html
Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States; or Verification of minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading, and 21 for writing; (TOEFL scores must not be older than 2 years from the date of application) or An undergraduate or graduate degree was earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in TAC 230.11
Step 1 - The first thing you will need to do prior to program application is taken and pass the TX PACT exam for your target certification.
For admissions, we require an overall GPA of 2.75 and a passing score [240 or above] on your TX PACT exam https://www.tx.nesinc.com/. Upon passing your TX PACT exam, you are now ready to submit your application to PACE.
Please note the TX PACT exam is an admissions requirement to enter the program and does not take the place of the TExES content exam. Upon admission to the program candidates will receive training in both content and pedagogy and be required to take official TExES content and PPR exams for certification. Candidates seeking admissions into the PACE program with a passing score of 240 or above on an official, valid, and current TExES content exam will have PACT testing waived for admissions requirements.
- https://www.certifyteacher.com/ - Test prep resource
- https://www.240tutoring.com/ - Test prep resource
Step 2 - Complete online Module 1 (self-paced)
Once accepted into the RST program, you must complete the online training that consists of PPR preparation, Classroom Management, and Methodology (190 total hours). Highly motivated individuals can complete these trainings in as little as 2-3 months. While the program is self-paced, we’ve found that completion times less than 2-3 months provide inadequate preparation.
Step 3 - Complete 40 hours of classroom observations
TEA requires that teacher candidates complete 40 hours of classroom observations prior to being hired as a classroom teacher. If you plan to do observations in Canyon ISD or Amarillo ISD, we will facilitate that scheduling for you. If you plan to observe outside of those two districts, you must contact your local school district to work out observation scheduling. View Observation Packet information.
You can substitute up to 15 hours of your classroom observation hours by watching video lessons from these three websites: learner.org, teachingchannel.com, pact.tarleton.edu/pact.
Step 4 - Upon passing your official TExES Content Exam and successful completion of Steps 1-3, you are now eligible to be employed by a school district.
Great work! You may request a Letter of Eligibility from your adviser and begin applying for positions in your certification area. Upon accepting an official job offer, you will complete an online pre-employment training. Contact your adviser to initiate the process.
Step 5 - Complete Module 2
Upon successfully being hired by a school district, it’s time to talk to your RST adviser about which track is right for you. You can continue on with standard teacher certification and complete Module 2 while you’re teaching or you can begin working towards a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and enroll in graduate courses while you’re teaching. The great thing about choosing the MAT track is that you get to transcribe 6 semester credit hours from your work in Module 1. That’s the equivalent of two graduate-level courses! You’re already on your way!
Step 6 - Successfully complete one year of employment as a classroom teacher and pass PPR exam
Once you’ve successfully completed one full year of teaching, completed Module 2, and passed the PPR exam, you’re ready to become a fully certified Texas teacher. Congratulations!