Texas House Bill HB5175

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/14/25

Caption

Relating to the employment of classroom teachers in public schools and the waiver or payment of certain educator examination and certification fees.

Impact

By amending various sections of the Education Code, HB 5175 alters the landscape of educator certification and employment in Texas, effective for the 2025-2026 school year with specific sections commencing in 2026-2027. One notable impact is the proposed waiving of certain certification examination fees for teachers applying in specialized areas such as special and bilingual education. This is designed to encourage more candidates to pursue teaching credentials in fields that are typically hard to staff, enabling schools to meet the diverse needs of their student populations more effectively.

Summary

House Bill 5175 addresses significant issues concerning the employment of classroom teachers in public schools across Texas. The bill introduces provisions that allow school districts to temporarily employ uncertified teachers under specific circumstances, particularly for non-core subject courses in middle and upper grades. This change aims to alleviate teacher shortages and support districts that may struggle to find certified educators, especially in underserved areas. Furthermore, the bill offers financial incentives to school districts for hiring first-year teachers who transition from being uncertified to certified, promoting the retention of these educators in the profession.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for addressing teacher shortages, it has also sparked debates around the quality of education and maintaining high standards in the profession. Critics argue that allowing uncertified teachers, even temporarily, could undermine educational quality and negatively affect student outcomes. They express concerns that the reliance on uncertified teaching staff may erode public trust in the educational system. Supporters, however, maintain that providing schools with greater flexibility to address immediate staffing challenges is essential, especially in times of acute teacher shortages.

Notable_points

Another important aspect of HB 5175 is its data collection requirement for teacher positions within districts, aiming to provide better insights into recruitment and retention strategies. This data will support efforts to understand hiring trends and the efficacy of various measures taken to enhance the teaching workforce. Overall, HB 5175 reflects a proactive approach toward addressing staffing issues in public schools while balancing the need for certification and educational quality.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

• Chapter 12. Charters
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 21. Educators
  • Section: New Section