Oct. 1, 2024—A recent report from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) revealed that Cypress-Fairbanks ISD has one of the lowest percentages of uncertified teachers among the state’s largest districts.

Only 5.6% of CFISD’s teachers are without certification, compared to the statewide average of 34.5%. Approximately 31% of teachers in traditional public school districts lack certification, a contrast to 59.6% uncertified charter school teachers.

CFISD’s human resources team has implemented numerous efforts to recruit certified teachers, including:

·       recruiting at most Texas university programs that prepare and graduate certified teachers

·       implementing paid-teacher residencies for students pursuing certification in critical need areas

·       conducting in-person and virtual experienced teacher interview events to attract certified educators from Texas and across the nation.

·       hosting targeted events for certified teachers in critical need areas, including bilingual and special education

·       providing internship opportunities for 100-150 student teachers completing certification requirements

·       promoting employment opportunities at district, region and statewide events

·       leveraging district’s Teaching and Training program for high school students to grow our own graduates into certified educators

·       utilizing the district’s social media presence to promote employment opportunities for certified educators.

The HR team has also increased efforts to support uncertified teachers, including:

·       providing certification candidates with access to test preparation programs to gain educator certification

·       partnering with university program to support paraprofessionals seeking educator certification

·       collaborating with certification program to coach and guide certification candidates through certification process.

View the TEA’s Newly Certified and New Teacher Hires Dashboard online.