Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Teacher Certification topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
FISD to apply for temporary waiver under House Bill 2 to avoid staffing shortfalls
Summary
The board approved administration's recommendation to apply to TEA for a delayed compliance waiver under House Bill 2 after staff identified 31 teachers assigned to foundational courses who are not yet fully certified; administrators described the application as an "insurance" plan while teachers complete alternative certification routes.
Miss Thomas explained changes stemming from House Bill 2 that phase out the district-of-innovation (DOI) exemptions and require a three-year transition so teachers in foundational courses become fully certified. She told the board the district must disclose uncertified teacher counts and identify at least one EPP partner; "We have to disclose ... a total of 31," she said, referring to uncertified teachers assigned to foundational courses next year.
Thomas described ongoing efforts to reduce the number of uncertified teachers, including monthly reviews, reporting to principals, and EPP partnerships with Region 20 and alternative providers (Texas Teachers of Tomorrow, Teachworthy). She framed the waiver application as a contingency: "To me, it's more like an insurance plan. We don't want to use it," she said, while the board voted 6-0 to approve applying for the waiver and posting a transition plan.
