Program Overview

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Effective January 1st, our website will transition to a new location. The new URL will be: https://www.esc20.net/apps/pages/topp-program-overview.

Please update your bookmarks and join us at our new site for the latest information.

Thank you for your patience during this exciting change!

About Us

The Teacher Orientation and Preparation Program (TOPP) is a State Board of Educator Certification approved alternative route to teacher certification coordinated by Education Service Center, Region 20. TOPP began providing services in 1986 and maintains a trustworthy and enduring reputation with our educational partners.

Application Deadline Date for Next Cohort

January 14, 2025

Certification Areas Supported by ESC-20 TOPP

Early Childhood through Grade 6

Core Subjects EC-6 & Science of Teaching Reading (STR)

Grades 4-8

Core Subjects 4-8 & STR
English Language Arts & Reading & STR
Dual Subject – English Language Arts & Social Studies and STR

Dual Subjects – Math & Science
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies

Grades 6-12

ROTC

Grades 7-12

English Language Arts & Reading
Mathematics
Science

Life Science
Social Studies

Grades EC-12

Special Education - (Core Content exam is recommended, but not required for Special Education EC-12 Certification)
Art
Music

Physical Education
Technology Applications
Theater
Spanish LOTE

Exams for Bilingual Certification (TOPP Training)

Bilingual Education Supplemental
Science of Teaching Reading (STR)

Bilingual certification requires EC-6 or 4-8 Core Subjects exam
In addition to passing the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT)

Supplemental Exams

English as a Second Language Supplemental

- endorsement certification to core content TExES.