Texas bill aims to certify K-5 math, reading teachers

Texas lawmakers are working on a new bill aimed at addressing the growing number of unprepared and uncertified teachers in schools. The proposed law would prohibit uncertified teachers from teaching core subjects in public schools. School districts would have until fall 2026 to certify their K-5 math and reading teachers, and until fall 2027 for other subjects. The bill, known as House Bill 2, includes financial help for uncertified teachers. Those in training would receive a one-time payment of $10,000, while teachers completing university or alternative certification programs would get $3,000. Special education teachers and those teaching bilingual students would have their certification fees waived. The legislation comes as Texas faces a significant teacher shortage, prompting many districts to rely on uncertified teachers. District leaders agree that too many uncertified teachers is a problem but worry about the bill's tight deadlines and its potential consequences, such as larger class sizes. Currently, around 38% of new teachers last year were uncertified, with many located in rural areas. A 2015 law allowed schools to hire uncertified teachers under special circumstances, leading to an increase in such hires across the state. New research indicates that students with uncertified teachers fell behind their peers with certified instructors. To address the issue, lawmakers are looking to reduce the financial barriers for becoming a certified teacher. Critics of the bill argue that it restricts hiring options, making it harder to fill teaching positions. As a result, they fear class sizes may increase, negatively impacting students' learning. Despite the proposed support in the bill, school leaders express concern that the new certification requirements may be too demanding given the current shortages. They believe recruitment efforts need to improve significantly to fill classroom vacancies in the future.