Texas Sees Rise in Uncertified Teachers

Texas is facing a significant increase in the number of uncertified teachers, which has grown by 29% since the passage of a law in 2015 allowing schools to hire such educators. This rise is primarily driven by a shortage of certified teachers exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the hiring of uncertified instructors in core subjects, raising concerns among experts about educational quality. Meanwhile, Nevada is implementing reforms to improve the hiring and support of teachers from abroad under J-1 and H-1B visas, addressing ongoing teacher shortages. The Clark County School District is actively recruiting Filipino teachers through a cultural exchange program, welcoming 150 new educators this year to fill critical roles. Additionally, initiatives at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) are providing pathways for local individuals to become licensed educators, contributing to the state's efforts to combat the persistent teacher vacancies. Currently, Nevada has nearly 3,000 licensed employee vacancies, with Clark County School District starting the year with about 1,100 unfilled teacher positions.