The Houston Independent School District, the largest in the state and the seventh largest in the nation, for example, was trying to fill 1,000 out of 11,700 teacher jobs at the beginning of summer. Officials estimate about 7,000 out of state recruits will be available to fill vacancies. No figures were available Monday on how many substitute teachers will start classes this year and whether any courses will be canceled due to a lack of qualified instructors. Texas schools are growing an average of 70,000 students a year, which required about 5,700 new teaching positions to be created in 1998-99, said Pamela Tackett, executive director of the State Board of Educator Certification. She told the state Senate Education Committee in November that almost 11,000 teacher vacancies were due to retirement.
Universities have new programs aimed at turning out more and better qualified teachers.
Many districts are recruiting across the country and even overseas, offering signing bonuses, part-time jobs with full benefits and immediate contracts. John Cole, president of the Texas Federation of Teachers, said the state must pay more to attract and keep quality teachers. Officials say the teacher shortage will hurt students the most. Studies have shown lower test scores in schools with long-term substitutes, uncertified teachers or instructors leading classes for which they are not certified. Associated Press Writer Connie Mabin contributed to this report.