The Explosion of Uncertified Teachers: A Growing Concern for Texas Education
The Texas education system is facing a significant challenge, as the number of uncertified teachers continues to rise, leaving parents and students concerned about the quality of education. According to Education Commissioner Mike Morath, more than half of brand-new educators last year lacked a state certification, making it impossible to know what kind of training they received. This has raised concerns about the impact on student learning outcomes and the long-term effects on the education system.
Morath pointed out that this trend is setting teachers up for a "very rough ride" and that the lack of certification can lead to a range of negative consequences, including lower academic accountability scores and a higher turnover rate among teachers. He emphasized that the state needs to take responsibility for the policy decisions that have led to this situation and work towards finding a solution.
The problem is attributed to a 2015 law change that gave traditional public schools more flexibility to hire teachers without certification. This flexibility was intended to help address teacher shortages, but it has instead led to a surge in the number of uncertified teachers. Currently, over 980 school districts in Texas have "District of Innovation" status, which allows them to bypass certain rules and requirements, including teacher certification.
The Texas Education Agency has limited oversight over these schools, making it difficult to ensure that these teachers are properly trained and equipped to teach. This lack of oversight has led to a situation where teachers without formal training are being hired to fill classrooms, leaving students and parents with concerns about the quality of education.
The impact of this trend is far-reaching, with students in uncertified teachers’ classrooms often not learning as much as those taught by certified educators. According to a study by The Texas Tech University, students with new uncertified teachers lost the equivalent of about four months of learning in reading and three months in math. Additionally, these teachers were less likely to identify students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, which can have long-term consequences for these students.
The situation has also led to a high turnover rate among teachers, with about two-thirds of uncertified teachers leaving the profession within five years. This not only disrupts the learning environment but also wastes resources and talent.
To address this issue, a new proposal from Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, aims to limit which classes uncertified teachers can teach and provide incentives for them to obtain certification. The proposal would also give districts a $1,000 allotment for every recently hired uncertified teacher who earns a standard certificate by the end of next school year. Additionally, it would encourage districts to pay certified teachers higher salaries and require them to notify parents if their children are assigned to an uncertified teacher.
Kate Greer, managing director for policy and state coalition at The Commit Partnership, believes that "the more training a teacher can have… the better off those kids are." She emphasizes the need to incentivize what the data shows is really good for kids, which is having highly qualified, highly prepared teachers in front of students.
The Texas Education Agency has an opportunity to address this issue by providing more support and resources to schools and districts, as well as by working with lawmakers to create policies that promote teacher certification and professional development.
FAQs
Q: How many school districts in Texas have "District of Innovation" status?
A: Over 980 school districts in Texas have District of Innovation status.
Q: What is the impact of uncertified teachers on student learning?
A: Students with new uncertified teachers lost the equivalent of about four months of learning in reading and three months in math.
Q: What is the turnover rate among uncertified teachers?
A: About two-thirds of uncertified teachers leave the profession within five years.
Q: What is the proposed solution to address the issue of uncertified teachers?
A: A new proposal from Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, aims to limit which classes uncertified teachers can teach, provide incentives for them to obtain certification, and encourage districts to pay certified teachers higher salaries.
Conclusion
The explosion of uncertified teachers in Texas is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. The state must take steps to address the root causes of this issue, including the lack of oversight and the lack of incentives for teachers to obtain certification. By providing more support and resources to schools and districts, as well as creating policies that promote teacher certification and professional development, Texas can work towards creating a more effective and efficient education system that benefits all students.
