Principal Preparation & Certification
Vision & Mission
Research shows that principals account for a quarter, on average, of their school's overall impact on student achievement outcomes. Likewise, research observes that differences in student achievement up to 20 percentage points may occur when a school has a highly-effective principal.
Therefore, the overarching mission of the Principal Preparation and Certification Program is to increase student achievement in Region 12 schools and beyond by rigorously and deliberately developing, equipping, mentoring and coaching well-prepared, highly effective principals.
PPCP Model
The Region 12 PPCP is a TEA accredited 13-month program with a new cohort beginning each June.
- The program is a blended model combining both face-to-face instruction and online learning modules aligned to the Principal Standards articulated in Texas Administrative Code §149.2001 and to the Principal as Instructional Leader Competencies found in Texas Administrative Code §241.15.
- Throughout the program, mentoring, coaching, and support are provided by ESC Region 12 Field Supervisors and PPCP instructors, all veteran school administrators.
- At least 160 hours of field-based school leadership experiences are accomplished with the support, supervision, and coaching of a Site-Supervisor/Mentor who is a current school administrator.
Texas Principal Certification Requirements
To obtain a Principal as Instructional Leader certification in Texas, there are five requirements:
- You must hold a master's degree from a university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and U.S. Department of Education Database for Accredited Colleges and Universities.
- You must hold a valid classroom teaching certificate.
- You have two years of creditable teaching experience as a classroom teacher.
- You must successfully complete an approved principal educator preparation program.
- You must successfully complete the two required certification exams: TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) and Performance Assessment for School Leaders PASL (368).
Criminal History and Background Check
19 TAC §227.1(b)(1) Pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), § 22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator.
- An individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for the issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP.
- A candidate has the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in TAC Chapter 227, Subchapter B.
- A candidate is eligible to request a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation from TEA ( for a non-refundable fee of $50) if:
- You are enrolled or planning to enroll in an educator preparation program,
- You are planning to take a certification exam for initial educator certification, and
- You have reason to believe that you may be ineligible for educator certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.
For more information, review TEA's webstie: FAQs for the Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation.
"Highly skilled school leaders are not born — nor are they fully forged in the instructional setting of the school classroom. Neither do they emerge fully prepared to lead from traditional graduate programs in school administration. Most likely, effective new principals have been rigorously prepared and deliberately mentored in well-designed programs that immerse them in real-world leadership experiences where they are challenged to excel."
- Southern Regional Education Board, Good Principals Aren't Born - They're Mentored
