Statement of Eligibility (SOE)-This document verifies that the applicant is currently enrolled in LU Alternative Certification Educator Preparation program and is eligible for an intern or probationary certificate.
Intern or Probationary Certification Candidates are responsible for securing a teaching position for the school year with an accredited Texas public, charter, or private school.
How Do I Obtain a Statement of Eligibility (SOE)
Candidate must:
Pass the appropriate content-area TExES test (including Science of Teaching Reading exam, if applicable), or approve for a TEA test waiver.
Hired as a Teacher of Record by a TEA accredited Texas school district.
Pass a state and national criminal background check.
Apply with Lamar University and TEA for the intern certificate.
Enrolled into internship course(s)
EPP Issuance of a Statement of Eligibility (SOE)
The request for an Intern Certificate or Probationary Certificate must be initiated by the employing school district’s human resources representative on letterhead requesting to place the candidate on an intern or probationary certification.
The letter for hire should include the candidate's name, Lamar University student ID #, TEA # position for hire, and grade level and emailed toalternative.certification@lamar.edu.
Once the Alternative Certification office receives the hiring request from the employing school district, the EPP will complete the Statement of Eligibility (SOE) and submit to the employing school district for completion.
Once the employing school district completes their portion and submits the Statement of Eligibility form (SOE) to the Alternative Certification office.
The EPP will notify the candidate to apply for the intern or probationary certificate with Lamar University and TEA.
Once the intern or probationary certificate has been issued the candidate will be enrolled into PEDG 5383-Internship I.
Candidate is required to complete 50-clock hours of field-based experiences within 90 school days of assignment for more information email the field office at dept_fieldexperience@lamar.edu
Which certificate do I apply for intern or probationary?
Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education
Participating in an EPP and internship course
Test Exemption waiver was approved for the appropriate content examination(s) or passed required content exam(s).
Please note: A candidate must meet the subject matter knowledge requirements for issuance of an intern certificate to serve an internship in a classroom teacher assignment for each subject area to be taught. TAC (230.36)
Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education
Participating in an EPP and internship course
Test Exemption waiver was approved for the appropriate content examination(s), and the PPR, or candidate has taken and passed the appropriate content examination(s) and PPR.
Please note: A candidate must meet the subject matter knowledge requirements for issuance of a probationary certificate to serve an internship in a classroom teacher assignment for each subject area to be taught. TAC (230.37)
The EPP will provide ongoing support to a candidate for the full term of the initial and any additional internship, unless, prior to the expiration of that term:
a standard certificate is issued to the candidate during any additional internship under an intern or probationary certificate,
the candidate resigns, is non-renewed, or is terminated by the school or district,
the candidate is discharged or is released from the EPP,
the candidate withdraws from the EPP,
the candidate is a late hire and fails to meet the pre-internship requirements within 90 business days of assignment in accordance with 228.55 of this title (relating to Late Hire Candidates), or
the internship assignment does not meet the requirements described in this
If the teacher candidate leaves the internship assignment for any of the reasons:
the EPP, the campus or district personnel, and the candidate must inform each other within one calendar week of the candidate's last day in the assignment; and
the TEA must receive the certificate deactivation request with all related documentation from the EPP within two calendar weeks of the candidate's last day of the assignment in a format determined by the TEA.
Please Note: Lamar University does not issue Statement of Eligibility (SOE) for the following areas: