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According to a study from the University of Houston, as many as 52% of first-year teachers could be uncertified. This follows years of decline in the number of teachers entering the workforce, and lawmakers lowering certification requirements in order to fill in the gaps.
The Houston area hasn’t been immune to this issue either. Conroe ISD also hires uncertified teachers, but there are still some strict requirements for them. According to Conroe ISD Trustee Melissa Semmler: “We have timelines that they have to meet if they’re not certified their first year. And they have to meet them if they want to continue working in the district.”
Essentially, the district will allow those working toward their certifications to be hired and become certified as they teach. Semmler also pointed out that some teachers for things like woodworking, welding, or shop classes might require more content-specific knowledge or industry experience rather than a teaching certification.
Semmler did emphasize that regardless of what an uncertified teacher might be teaching, the district does take measures to ensure they’re qualified. “It’s really up to our schools and HR department to determine whether that person is qualified, and when they need to get those certification requirements met,” she said.
She added that, like other districts across the area, state, and nation, this is all being done primarily to staff teaching positions that fewer and fewer people are applying for.