Texas public schools facing shortages of well-trained teachers

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – District administrators and education researchers are coming together to brainstorm ways to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention.

The CH foundation teamed up with Texas Tech to host the breakfast forum Friday.

Dr. Jacob Kirksey, a researcher and faculty member at Texas Tech, reports more than half of new teachers were uncertified in the state of Texas in the 2022-2023 school year.

This means these teachers have not completed an education preparation program or state certification exam.

“It’s not a matter of ensuring that we have more teachers, it is a matter of ensuring that we have the quality of teachers we need because that’s where the shortage is,” Kirksey said. “It’s not a matter of having adults, we can find adults anywhere. It’s a matter of putting high quality educators in classrooms.”

While the number of teachers has rebounded since the pandemic, many schools are still searching for educators.

Dr. Jessica Gore, Assistant Superintendent for Snyder ISD, says their district is no different when it comes to shortages in staff.

“You can walk into any of our schools on any day and see classes covered with subs, and what’s even worse than that is finding classes with no substitute because that’s also a shortage,” Gore said. “So, what we are saying is yes, we are pushing salaries to raise, yes we’re pushing certifications all to be leading indicators for top talent, but the challenge is we still have vacancies we cannot fill.”

Kirksey hopes state leaders will better invest in public schools and the education of future leaders of America.

“Providing funding for residencies programs would be one option the state has, especially now that the state has recently made a residency certificate that now adds that extra stamp of quality that I am a teacher that has been prepared and wants to make a difference for kids,” Kirksey said. “The other type of investment is then once we have high quality educators in the classroom, how are we compensating those who have shown to be really effective for kids.”

Gore believes the future of education is bright and is optimistic law makers and school districts can work together to provide the best education possible.

“Education is our chance to change the future, every employee, every attorney, every doctor, everyone had a great teacher that they can say this was a catalyst for my future,” Gore said. “We just believe in Snyder, but I also believe personally that this is our chance to make a better future.”