Teachers in Texas trained through an intensive training program similar to the path followed by doctors will soon receive special recognition.
State education authorities have signed on to create an enhanced standard certificate for teacher candidates who complete a training route, spending a year learning from experienced educators in the classroom.
“This is a way for applicants to differentiate themselves,” said State Board of Education Commissioner Will Hickman (R-Houston). “for [school districts] These residents will stand out when you try to hire teachers. ”
Texas continues to struggle with teacher retention and recruitment, according to the latest state data.
Roughly one in three new teachers hired across Texas in the 2024 school year will be uncertified, meaning the state has no way of knowing whether they have received rigorous training.
Officials are concerned that reliance on such educators has increased in recent years, and that teachers without intensive preparation have much higher turnover rates. State data also shows that students of new teachers tend to have lower academic growth than students of experienced teachers.
One potential solution that has emerged is the idea of paid teacher training programs.
Residencies are typically one-year training or co-teaching experiences. Residents are paired with successful mentor teachers, with whom they learn how to educate students and receive frequent feedback on their skills.
According to findings from the state Teacher Vacancy Task Force, the residency model increases teacher retention, contributes to improved student outcomes, and improves educator effectiveness in the classroom.
A professional teaching certificate for those who complete training can signal to district employers that the candidate has been more thoroughly prepared than other job candidates.
In recent legislative sessions, public education advocates urged lawmakers to take significant steps to address the teacher shortage. They wanted state money for bonuses, a path for teachers to earn higher salaries based on how they train, and funding for Texas' teacher training programs.
However, these ideas became embroiled in political battles. A law aimed at improving teacher recruitment and retention died when its fate was tied to a plan to funnel public money to private school tuition.
Entry-level teachers are often paid the same amount regardless of whether they are unqualified, intern-qualified, or have standard qualifications.
Jonathan Feinstein, Texas state director for the nonprofit Education Trust, said this lack of differentiation could send a signal that districts don't care about the training path new employees go through. He said that there is a sex.
Among the failed measures in Congress was to establish a pay scale based on readiness.
A special residency pass for certification could come in handy if lawmakers take up a similar proposal in next year's legislative session.
The enhanced standards certificate also allows states to collect data and analyze resident teacher performance.
“We'll be able to actually measure long-term retention and effectiveness,” Feinstein said.
The DMN Education Lab deepens our coverage and conversations about pressing education issues that matter to the future of North Texas.
DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative supported by Bobby and Lottie Lyle, Community Foundation of Texas, Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Dee Dee Rhodes, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Meadows Foundation, Murrell Foundation, Solutions is supported by. Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sidney Smith Hicks, University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control over Education Lab's journalism.
