As teacher shortages continue in Houston ISD, more than 400 uncertified teachers are being dismissed after failing to meet certification milestones.
Houston ISD notified 406 uncertified teachers that they will not be returning for the 2025–2026 academic year, citing insufficient progress toward earning their teaching certifications.
According to district standards for uncertified teachers, “Individuals who qualify for and are approved for a certification waiver are expected to join an Educator Preparation Program or Alternative Certification Program and earn their Texas standard teaching certificate … by the end of the waiver period.”
The district emphasized that this decision was not sudden. Teachers affected by the move received regular progress check-ins and were previously informed of the consequences of failing to obtain certification within the timeframe outlined at the time of their hiring.
A Houston ISD spokesperson noted, “While some of these employees are eligible to move to other roles in the district, including as apprentice teachers, there is not currently an estimate of how many will choose to apply and how many will be hired into other roles.”
The district has relied increasingly on uncertified teachers to address staffing shortages.
Between the 2023 and 2024 school years, the percentage of uncertified teachers in the district rose from 12 percent to 19 percent—meaning nearly one in five teachers lacked certification. The issue was further compounded when approximately 4,700 of the district’s roughly 11,000 teachers left during the 2023–2024 school year following the state’s takeover of the district.
This staffing update comes amid broader shifts within the district, including significant leadership turnover.
In addition to the uncertified teacher departures, Houston ISD announced just yesterday that 21 other teachers will not return for the upcoming school year. Of those, five are leaving for personal reasons such as retirement or relocation, five are departing due to performance issues, and 11 are transferring to other roles within the district.
Houston ISD noted that 25 percent of principals exited their roles at the end of the 2023–2024 school year due to performance-related issues. Since Mike Miles assumed the role of superintendent following the Texas Education Agency’s takeover of the district, at least 171 principals have left their positions—excluding the most recent 21 announced.
