The Houston Independent School District on Thursday delayed until the 2029-2030 school year implementation of a Texas Education Agency requirement that would limit the district’s use of uncertified teachers in Houston classrooms.
The district’s state-appointed Board of Managers approved the delay during a public meeting in Houston after district staff presented the implications of complying earlier with the state requirement.
The Texas Education Agency previously required school districts to reduce the number of uncertified teachers in classrooms under state accountability and staffing rules.
Houston ISD officials said the delay allows the district to continue hiring and assigning uncertified teachers while it works to increase the number of certified educators.
The decision affects current and future staffing across multiple campuses in the state’s largest school district.
The delay keeps Houston ISD in compliance with state oversight while postponing full implementation of the certification limit.
The district will review staffing practices and certification pathways before the 2029-2030 deadline.
District officials did not announce any immediate changes for uncertified teachers currently employed in Houston ISD.
Houston ISD remains under state intervention and governed by a Texas Education Agency-appointed Board of Managers that oversees major policy decisions.
The board’s action on the certification requirement followed previous discussions about teacher staffing shortages and recruitment challenges in the district.
Houston ISD staff told the board that the extended timeline would give the district more time to recruit certified teachers and support existing staff in obtaining certification.
The Texas Education Agency did not announce any objection to the district’s decision to delay the implementation of the teacher certification limit.
The district said it will continue to monitor state guidance related to teacher certification and staffing requirements.
Houston ISD will maintain its current hiring practices for uncertified teachers until it adopts new policies closer to the 2029-2030 school year.
The district plans to provide future updates to the Board of Managers and the public on progress toward meeting the state certification requirement.
