Governor Abbott Directs TEA To Create Task Force Addressing Staffing Shortages Across Texas

Press Release

Dear Commissioner Morath:

The education of Texas students is critical for the future of all Texans. Highly qualified teachers
play a critical role in that education. It was for this reason that I worked so closely with the
Legislature to include the creation of and funding for the Teacher Incentive Allotment in the
comprehensive school finance reforms in 2017. Additionally, the ongoing and increasing
shortage of full-time and substitute teachers in schools across the state demands a thoughtful,
creative conversation to develop strategies to attract, train, and retain the teachers our students
need.

I am directing the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to immediately create a task force to help
school districts address the ongoing staffing shortages they face. This task force should
investigate the challenges teacher vacancies are causing for school districts, explore best
practices for addressing this shortage, and research the possibility for flexibility of certification,
placement, and hiring. This group of stakeholders and experts should also develop
recommendations for regulatory and other policy changes at TEA and provide an update on
initiatives at TEA that could help impact these vacancies.

Teachers play a critical role in the development and long-term success of our students. This task
force should work diligently to ensure that best practices and resources for recruitment and
retention are provided to districts to ensure the learning environment of Texas students is not
interrupted by the absence of a qualified teacher.

Sincerely,

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