Houston ISD Delays New State Requirements for Uncertified Teachers
The Houston ISD state-appointed board of managers has voted to delay new state requirements that would have banned uncertified educators from teaching core subjects in public schools by the 2027-2028 school year. This decision comes after the Texas legislature passed House Bill 2, which limits the use of uncertified teachers in core classrooms.
Background on House Bill 2
House Bill 2 requires reading and math teachers for kindergarten through fifth grade to be certified by this fall. By the next school year, districts cannot have any uncertified teachers for English, math, science, and social studies across any grade level. This bill aims to ensure that all students receive a quality education from certified teachers.
Uncertified Teachers in Houston ISD
A recent study from the University of Houston found that uncertified teachers make up nearly 20% of the teacher workforce in Houston ISD. This is a significant increase from seven years ago, when uncertified teachers made up only 0.3% of teachers in the district. Toni Templeton, one of the report’s authors, notes that the spike in uncertified teachers accelerated under the state takeover.
The Impact of State Takeover
Templeton explains that the number of uncertified teachers in Houston ISD increased dramatically after the state takeover. "Right before the takeover, Houston ISD had about 100 uncertified teachers district-wide, and in the first year of the takeover, that number increased tenfold to a little over 1,000 district-wide, and in the second year of the takeover, that number doubled," she said. This increase signals that the district is working with a much less certified and less experienced teaching population.
District of Innovation
For now, HISD is free to continue hiring and using uncertified teachers until the 2029-2030 school year. This is because the board voted to become a district of innovation, which allows the district to submit exemptions from state requirements to the Texas Education Commissioner. The agency does not have the authority to approve or disapprove of a district’s submitted plan.
Concerns About Uncertified Teachers
Uncertified teachers are those who have not completed an educator preparation program or passed a state certification exam, but many have a background in the subject they are teaching. However, Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, argues that this is not enough. "I know how to cook, but I can’t teach cooking," Anderson said. "It’s more than just spewing out content. It’s more than just telling people what information is. You have to be able to connect with the child."
District’s Plan
The district cited "statewide shortages of certified teachers and increased certification requirements" as part of its rationale for the delay. They plan to provide more support for uncertified teachers and expand partnerships with Educator Preparation Programs. The district aims to have zero uncertified teachers in core subject areas by the 2029-2030 school year.
Conclusion
The decision to delay new state requirements for uncertified teachers in Houston ISD has sparked debate about the quality of education in the district. While the district argues that it needs more time to address statewide shortages of certified teachers, critics argue that uncertified teachers are not equipped to provide the best education for students. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that all students receive a quality education from certified teachers, and the district’s plan will be closely watched in the coming years.
