Impacting the Teacher Shortage
Serving Texas
The future of Texas public education depends on a strong, well‑prepared and well‑supported teacher workforce. Yet schools across the state are facing a critical shortage as more educators leave the profession and increasing numbers of uncertified teachers enter classrooms. The College of Education is committed to confronting this challenge head‑on. We know that high‑quality educator preparation directly influences teacher retention, classroom effectiveness and—most importantly—student learning outcomes. That is why we are leading research efforts, working closely with state and district partners and developing innovative programs that prepare and retain the teachers Texas needs.
Through statewide studies that illuminate the rise of uncertified teachers, partnerships that analyze educator pathways and programs such as Longhorns in Residence and Texas Education THRIVE, the College of Education is designing sustainable, evidence‑based solutions to strengthen the teacher pipeline. From flexible preparation routes to comprehensive mentoring for early‑career teachers, our initiatives ensure that new educators are well‑equipped for the classroom and supported for long‑term success. Addressing the teacher shortage is not only an immediate priority—it is an essential investment in the success of every Texas student.
As the College of Education and its partners continue to create meaningful reporting around teacher attrition, educational leaders across Texas commissioned a follow-up study, Beyond the Tipping Point: The Rise of Uncertified Teachers, to examine how emerging alternative educator pathways have led to a notable rise of uncertified teachers. With half of newly hired teachers in Texas now lacking certification and classroom experience, the study explores how traditional university-based teacher preparation programs and alternative certification programs can result in vastly different student outcomes.
In Texas, the PreK-12 system loses about 10% of its teachers in any given year. In the wake of COVID-19, teacher attrition rates significantly increased, causing a significant spike in alternative pathways to move educators into the classroom. In 2022, in partnership with Educate Texas and other Texas education leaders, the College of Education examined this alarming trend and investigated how different educator pathways impact teacher retention and student success.
To combat the teacher shortage in Texas, prospective teachers across the state need access to more flexible and accelerated pathways into the profession. This one-year program provides online coursework with a paid, full time teacher residency to produce highly qualified teachers who are ready to teach on day one.
Learn More
Improving the Texas teacher shortage requires not only producing more teachers, but retaining these educators once they are in the classroom. THRIVE reduces teacher turnover through a proven and comprehensive mentoring approach designed to support early-career teachers, mentor teachers and campus leaders.
Learn More
