We have no shortage of qualified teachers in Texas, but we do have a shortage of qualified teachers who are willing to work in schools where they are paid poor wages, given poor benefits, and treated with indifference by school officials. School administrators aren't helping the situation. Instead of thinking of ways to retain good teachers, they spent the legislative session lobbying to lower standards for teachers. While the superintendents' union's lobbyists were at the Texas Capitol trying to water down teacher certification rules, many school districts were running off good teachers. Abilene ISD offered a cash payment to any teacher with ten years' or more experience who would leave.
School districts can solve the teacher shortage by changing their behavior.
Here are a few ideas that might make a good start toward solving the teacher shortage. Stop running off good teachers we already have. School districts want to get rid of experienced teachers because young teachers are cheaper than experienced teachers. This is a foolish way to save money. School districts should encourage experienced teachers to stay.