Before graduation from the Austin Teacher Program, students are required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to observe the beginning of the school year (must be completed within the first 15 days of a school year) at a school of their choice. Students will need to contact the principal to secure permission to be in the building, perhaps request a particular teacher, and receive permission to be in the classroom within the first 15 days of school. This permission should be secured during the spring semester before they want to observe in the fall. ATP students should be in the host teacher’s classroom early and will need to observe for a minimum of two (2) hours.