Texas pushes to phase out uncertified teachers

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In Texas, there is a recent push to fill more teaching positions with certified teachers.

Back in March, lawmakers under House Bill 2 decided to limit the growing number of uncertified teachers.

George Mcshan, who has 30 years of education under his belt agrees this is what's best
for students.

"When you begin to hire uncertified teachers or highly unqualified teachers in that area," said Mcshan. "It begins to affect student learning (and) student growth."

Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District Human Services Assistant Superintendent Debbie Scogin said the district ensures that all core subject teachers are certified upon hire, even when the state previously allowed otherwise.

"Although the state had allowed districts to move in that direction, that is not something that we did," said Scogin. "We ensure that our teachers that are teaching the core areas: prek-12, science, social studies, english, and math. They are certified teachers."

Mcshan said hiring uncertified teachers wasn't always the case. However, career technology courses such as welding and automotive allowed flexibility to hire teachers who are not specifically certified in core subjects like math and English.

Meanwhile, Scogin said CTE or career technical education teachers at HCSID are held to meet state requirements.

"They have to have their industry experience prior to stepping into role of teacher in that specific area," said Scogin.

Mcshan said the appropriate education is key, especially in STEM programs.

"When you are dealing with highly cognitive learning, reading, critical thinking, problem solving skills, mathematics, and technology," said Mcshan. "That becomes problematic because you need to have the pedagogical skills to teach students effectively to get the outcome you are looking for."

Scogin said it takes a collaborative effort between schools and higher education institutions to fill that teacher shortage. She believes the valley is headed in the right direction.

"Coming together and talking about the trends and needs of local school districts and working with our partners in the college of education at UTRGV," said Scogin. "They have been instrumental and supporting. We know it is teamwork. They are graduating very high-quality individuals."

There is a push by the state to phase out uncertified teachers by requiring districts to certify their K-5 math and reading teachers by the 2026 school year. Plus, certify teachers in other academic classes by fall 2027.