Texas school districts have increasingly turned to uncertified teachers to fill classrooms during a historic teacher shortage. But a new provision in House Bill 2 is poised to phase out that reliance.
One part of the bill (Section 21.0032) will require all K-5 math and reading teachers to be certified by fall 2026 and all teachers in other core subjects like science and social studies to be certified by fall 2027. The policy allows a phased reduction of uncertified hires in foundation curriculum classes, from 20% in 2026-27 to just 5% by 2029-30, and expires altogether in 2031.
For Emily Garcia, chief education officer at Teach Us Texas, the change is overdue. “It is a really clear shift toward ensuring that our youngest learners are taught by teachers who have been prepared and demonstrated through certification that they can meet the needs of the kids in front of them,” she said. Her organization is a Texas-based educator preparation program that works with uncertified teachers to complete training and exams to meet state standards.
Garcia says the requirement forces districts to get serious about their hiring practices: “Districts are going to be really strategic in how they support their current teachers who are uncertified, so that they’re not caught off guard in 2026 or 2027.”
The timing comes amid a steep increase in uncertified teachers across Texas. According to Texas Education Agency data, more than 8,400 public school teachers lacked certification in 2023, up from fewer than 2,000 a decade ago. Many districts took advantage of Districts of Innovation (DOI) plans, which allowed them to waive certification requirements entirely.
Garcia says the combination of policy loopholes and chronic staffing shortages has fueled a cycle that prioritizes quick hires over teacher preparation: “The rise in uncertified teachers in Texas is a result of interdependent factors. Districts use DOI to opt out of certification rules and then shift hiring to anyone who’s enrolled in any program, often the cheapest or fastest they can find.”
But enrollment in certification programs doesn’t always mean progress.
“Districts often have very little visibility into whether these candidates are actually completing coursework or taking exams,” Garcia said. “Once they start teaching, that preparation just gets back-burnered.”
HB 2 tries to counter that with both a “stick and carrot” approach, Garcia says. The stick is the looming certification deadline. The carrot includes a one-time $1,000 incentive for qualifying teachers who get certified by the 2025-26 school year, and waived certification exam fees for high-need subjects like special education and bilingual education.
Still, Garcia says, incentives won’t be enough without stronger infrastructure. “Certification exams and fees can be a significant barrier, especially for career changers or paraprofessionals,” she said. “But it’s not just about money, it’s about providing guidance, advising, and follow-up. Otherwise, even a $1,000 incentive won’t fix a broken system.”
The new law could hit rural and under-resourced districts hardest, where access to in-person training is limited. That’s where online preparation programs like hers come in.
The bill is moving quickly. The House approved HB 2 on April 17 and it’s on its way to the Senate.
This article appears in April 18 • 2025.