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HOW
TO BECOME A TEACHER IN TEXAS
The
State of Texas is facing a major educational
challenge—a growing
shortage of qualified teachers. Whether
you are a recent college graduate,
a mid-career changer, a teacher from
another state/country, or someone
who does not yet have a college degree,
the information below outlines how
to become a teacher in Texas.
What are the
basic requirements for becoming a
teacher in Texas?
How do you choose
the teacher training program that
is best for you?
I already
have a standard Texas teaching certification
and I want to add additional certifications.
If I am certified
in another state or country, how
do I become certified in Texas?
What resources
are available to help me pay for
a teacher training program?
What types of
teaching positions are open?
Whom may
I contact for additional information?
Accrediting Associations Recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
What
are the basic requirements for becoming a teacher in Texas?
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You
must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or
university. Texas institutions do not offer a degree in
education. Every teacher must have an academic major, as well
as teacher training courses. The only exemption from the degree
requirement is for individuals seeking Career and Technology
certification to teach certain courses, such as welding or computer-aided
drafting. |
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You
must complete teacher training through an approved program.
These programs are offered through colleges and universities,
school districts, regional service centers, community colleges,
and other entities. |
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You
must successfully complete the appropriate teacher certification
tests for the subject and grade level you wish to teach. For
a list of the certification tests and information on which
tests are required, click
here. |
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A teacher who holds an appropriate Texas classroom teaching
certificate and a bachelor's degree may add classroom certification
areas by successfully completing the appropriate certification
examination(s) for the area(s) sought. Certification by examination
is not available for:
- initial
certification;
- career
and technology certification based on skill and work experience;
- a
class of certificate other than classroom teacher (e.g. School
Counselor, Principal, Superintendent, Learning Resources/School
Librarian, Educational Diagnostician);
- a
certificate for which no certification examination has been
developed.
The first step toward additional certification by examination is passing an appropriate subject matter test. To access the appropriate websites for test registration, click here.
To
apply online for additional certification based on examination after you have passed a test, click here. |
How
do you choose the teacher training program that is best for you?
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Programs
for those who do not yet have a college degree. Colleges
and universities offer programs for training teachers. You
will receive a degree in an academic major, as well as the
training you would need to be an effective teacher. For a
list of colleges and universities that offer teacher training
as part of an undergraduate degree program, click
here. |
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Programs
for those who already have
a college degree (alternative
certification and
post-baccalaureate
programs). These
programs, which include accelerated
routes into teaching, offer training
on how to be an effective teacher,
as well as additional courses
you might need in the subject area
you wish to teach. Many of these
programs can be completed in a
year, during which time you may
have a paid teaching position in
a public school classroom. For
a list of these programs, click
here. |
I
already have a standard Texas teaching
certification and I want to add additional
certifications.
A teacher who holds an appropriate Texas
classroom teaching certificate and a
bachelor's degree may add classroom certification
areas by successfully completing the
appropriate certification examination(s)
for the area(s) sought. Certification
by examination is not available for:
- initial certification;
- career and technology certification
based on skill and work experience;
- a class of certificate other than
classroom teacher (e.g. School Counselor,
Principal, Superintendent, Learning
Resources/School Librarian, Educational
Diagnostician);
- a certificate for which no certification
examination has been developed.
To
apply online for additional certification
based on examination, click
here.
If
I am certified in another state or country, how do I become certified
in Texas?
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Teachers
from other states or countries who hold acceptable credentials
from their home state or country can gain certification in
Texas by passing the appropriate Texas certification tests.
For more information, click
here. |
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Some
out-of-state teachers can gain certification in Texas based on the certification
tests they took in another state, if SBEC has found those tests to be similar
to and at least as rigorous as equivalent Texas tests. SBEC began the process
of reviewing other state's tests in fall 2001. For an overview of this review
process and a list of the out-of-state tests reviewed to date, click
here. |
To review information on comparable
out-of-state tests, click
here.
What
resources are available to help me pay for a teacher training program?
Listed
below are programs and grants that are specifically designed to
help individuals become teachers. Click on the program for additional
information.
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Teach
for Texas - Texas offers conditional grants to help some
future teachers with expenses if those individuals agree to
teach in Texas public schools for a specified period of time. |
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Certified
Educational Aide Exemption Program - Texas offers tuition
exemptions for some educational aides seeking to become certified
teachers. |
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Teach
for America - This program offers cash awards that can be
applied to past student loans or future educational costs for
recent college graduates who commit to teaching in urban and
rural public schools for two years. |
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Troops
to Teachers - This program offers guidance and support for
military veterans who wish to make the transition from active
duty into the teaching profession. |
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Teacher Loan Forgiveness - The Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act, signed into law last year, authorizes up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for eligible, highly qualified math, science and special education teachers. To be eligible, teachers (with no outstanding loan balances before Oct.1, 1998, and who have borrowed before Oct. 1, 2005) must be highly qualified, as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act; must have taught full-time, for five consecutive years, in a Title I school; and must have taught secondary math or science or elementary or secondary special education to students with disabilities.
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Grow-your-own
programs - High school students interested in teaching should
contact their school district. Some Texas school districts offer
"grow-your-own" programs that provide financial aid
to students who agree to return to their school district as
teachers after graduation from college. |
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Other financial aid - The Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board administers a variety of grants
for attending college. You may also qualify for other financial
aid, student loans, or scholarships. Contact the teacher training
program you wish to attend for additional information. |
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G.I.
Bill Benefits- for test fees - The Texas Workforce Commission has approved
SBEC under the provisions of Section 3689, Title 38, United States Code
to allow veterans and other eligible persons to receive reimbursement for
the cost of certification tests. This approval has been made effective,
retroactively, as of March 1, 2001. The veteran or other eligible person
must submit two forms to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Regional
Office, in Muskogee, OK. The two forms are: Application for Licensing and
Certification Testing Fee Reimbursement (LACAS 1)
and either the VA Form 22-1990- Application for
VA Education Benefits (for Veterans) or VA Form
22-5490- Application for Survivor's and Dependents
Educational Assistance. For additional information
or to obtain these forms, contact the Texas Workforce
Commission Veterans Education office at (512)
463-3168
or at www.gibill.va.gov.
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G.I.
Bill Benefits- for preparation program costs/fees - Veterans
Education Benefits (GI Bill) can be used for both university
and alternative teacher certification programs. The program
must request and receive approval from the Texas Workforce Commission
Veterans Affairs Office in order for veterans to receive benefits
while participating in a certification program. Once approved,
the program will assign a staff person to process the required
forms to request VA funding. The amount of money paid to eligible
veterans will vary, depending on the type of GI Bill that they
have and the type of program in which they are participating.
If veterans have remaining GI Bill eligibility, they should
ask the program director or university VA office for details
on applying for benefits. See the attachment for additional
information. |
What types of
teaching positions are open?
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Texas has shortages in all areas. However, the need for teachers
is particularly great in math, science, special education, foreign
languages, technology applications, and bilingual education.
The types and number of positions available vary across the
state. |
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SBEC
has compiled a list of various Job Bank websites that list
school job vacancies in the state of Texas. To
access the various Job Bank lists in the state, click
here. |
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Texas
Workforce Commission - Texas will need
over 82,000 new teachers by 2008. The Bureau of Labor Statistics
projects teaching as one of the fastest growing occupations
over the next 5-10 years and beyond, with demand and growth
continuing to increase. The average teacher salary in Texas
is $38,857. Special programs and incentives are available
to help people become and remain teachers. |
Whom
may I contact for additional information?
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You
may contact the SBEC Information and Support Center toll free
at 1 (888) 863-5880 or by e-mail.
Or you can contact a teacher training program or school district
in your area. |
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Board Members
