Half of new Texas teachers aren’t certified. State legislation tries to change that

Texas’ new state education funding bill includes money to certify more teachers, but experts say it will take time to fix the growing problem.

In 2023-24, more than half of new Texas teachers were uncertified , up from about 11% a decade ago. Bridget Worley, chief state impact officer with the education nonprofit the Commit Partnership, called it a crisis, and one that will hurt students.

“Students who are taught by uncertified teachers with no prior classroom experience lose three to four months of learning in reading and math,” Worley said at the recent Margaret J. Hirsch Women’s Forum, held in partnership with United to Learn and D Magazine.

What’s more, she said uncertified teachers leave the field sooner than certified instructors, impacting students and budgets.

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