Texas has been facing a significant challenge with a state-wide shortage of teachers. In 2022, 77% of Texas teachers seriously considered leaving the profession. 99.7% of statewide hires in 2021-22 were just to replace teachers who left teaching in Texas public schools the year before. We will explore the reasons behind the shortage, its impact on schools and the legal approaches that have been taken to address this crisis.
What is causing the teacher shortage?
Various reasons such as rapid population growth, low salaries, inadequate compensation, demanding workloads, high turnover rates, and licensing and certification barriers are all contributors to the shortage in the Texas educational system.
With a substantial increase in population growth in recent years, the demand for teachers to accommodate the growing number of students has only gone up. Additionally, in environments where teachers are facing challenging working conditions, especially in high-poverty and low-performing schools, educators are more likely to burnout and seek alternative careers. Another highly debated topic is the issue of teachers not being paid as highly in comparison to other professions that require similar levels of education and experience, which can make it increasingly difficult to attract and keep skilled workers. Lastly, the process it takes of obtaining the appropriate teaching certifications can be long and complex, which is likely to dissuade potential teachers from pursuing such a career, not to mention the costs needed to obtain such certifications.
What impact has the shortage had on schools?
Schools and students are facing the unfortunate consequences that have come with the state-wide shortage. With a decrease in the availability of teachers, we may see class sizes continue to grow, which in turn would make it difficult for teachers to provide the necessary attention for each student. Additionally, the lack of qualified teachers in specific subjects may lead to the inability of schools to offer specialized courses or even extracurricular activities.
How has the law addressed this problem?
Various laws were introduced this past legislative session that are aimed to address the teacher shortage and are hopeful to encourage an increase of interest in the profession. The following bills are those that were passed and are either already in effect or are soon to be effective in September 2023.
HB 621 relates to creating a temporary certification to teach career and technology education for certain service members and first responders. The bill is aimed to ease the stress on teachers and education staff by creating a temporary one-time issuance of an educator certification that is valid for three years for those who have served in the Armed Forces or as a First Responder.
HB 2729 seeks to remove obstacles to expand access to high quality prekindergarten, alleviating pressure on the teacher workforce. This bill adds an additional option for teachers to meet the requirements needed to teach a high-quality prekindergarten class. In addition to existing requirements, a high-quality prekindergarten teacher is qualified if they are certified and have an associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field. It also allows a person with a SBEC certification and at least eight years experience teaching in a Texas Rising Star Program to qualify as a high-quality prekindergarten teacher.
HB 1605 addresses the lack of access to appropriate curricular resources, which places a great burden on teachers. The bill increases access to high-quality instructional materials, relieving teachers of certain duties relating to material development.
HB 4363 relates to the establishment of the Future Texas Teachers Scholarship Program, for certain students at public institutions of higher education, seeking to recruit, prepare, and retain a talented and diverse workforce of career teachers to be leaders in their field. The bill is aimed to provide assistance for costs of attendance at eligible institutions. Priority will be given to those with financial need, first-generation college students, and persons committed to teaching in critical shortage areas or a public school in which students are educationally disadvantaged.
SB 532 changes the eligibility for receiving assistance in the repayment of student loans to include math and science teachers in public schools and eliminates the requirement that the school receive federal funding under Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Conclusion:
Whether these newly implemented laws are enough is something only time can tell. However, a raise in teacher pay is probably the most desired incentive, something which has yet to be achieved. Texas ranks 28th in the nation for teacher pay, $7,652 less than the national average, according to the latest National Education Association report. It is likely that a pay raise for teachers will continue to be introduced to the Legislature until it is finally put into place. It is only through the work of collaborative efforts between policymakers, educators, and the community, that we may be able to bridge the gap and create a brighter future for both teachers and students.
