TCTA - Texas Classroom Teachers Association
08/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/14/2024 12:13
TCTA testifies on teacher certification
The House Public Education Committee met on August 13th for the second day of discussion on the committee's interim charges, this time focused on teacher certification and early childhood education.
TCTA's Director of Professional Development and Advocacy, Holly Eaton, was invited to testify on the topic of uncertified teachers. TCTA's testimony addressed the causes for the teacher shortage and included proposed solutions for combatting the shortage and for ensuring that uncertified teachers who wish to remain in the profession become certified. Our members who responded to the recent survey on this subject provided hundreds of comments that were very helpful to us in our efforts to inform policymakers about the impact of uncertified teachers on campuses.
In recent years, the number of uncertified teachers in Texas schools has grown dramatically, due to the pressures caused by teachers retiring or leaving the profession combined with increased adoption of District of Innovation plans by school districts that allow those districts to hire uncertified teachers. Uncertified teachers leave the profession at a higher rate, often add to the workloads of other teachers on campus, and overall produce lesser gains for their students than certified teachers. At the most recent meeting of the State Board of Education, Commissioner of Education Mike Morath suggested that the increased number of uncertified teachers in the state may explain stagnant STAAR scores in the past few years.
TCTA's testimony highlighted a survey sent to TCTA members about their experiences with uncertified teachers at the schools in which they work. In particular, it focused on the detrimental effect on students and the burdens placed on experienced teachers to support uncertified teachers. Committee members were interested in the quotes from TCTA members arising from our survey. See the written testimony, which includes our survey results, here.
Rep. James Talarico asked for more details about the survey. Eaton responded that concerns about the quality of instruction delivered by uncertified teachers were the most frequently expressed points made by TCTA members. She noted that experienced teachers are often asked to provide instructional support, grading assistance, help with classroom management and many other supports to uncertified teachers with no acknowledgement or compensation for their additional effort. She also pointed out that veteran teachers essentially training an uncertified teacher while also attending to their own sometimes overwhelming responsibilities can damage morale.
Talarico and Reps. Alma Allen and Gina Hinojosa were particularly supportive of teachers and the teaching profession throughout the hearing, while some committee members appeared to discount the value of a teaching certificate.
TCTA reminded committee members that it is crucial to address the causes for the shortage, and that improving educator compensation and working conditions must be a priority in the upcoming legislative session.
Representatives from school districts, educator preparation programs, and others testified throughout the day, echoing many of TCTA's concerns and providing more perspectives for committee members to consider.
TCTA will continue to monitor developments regarding teaching certification in Texas and advocate for high standards to secure the respect the profession deserves.