Across the state, public schools are facing the new requirements concerning teacher certification deadlines including schools in Hockley County.
During the 89th Texas Legislature regular session in 2025, House Bill (HB) 2 was passed and signed into law Gov. Greg Abbott In August 2025, a letter was sent out from the Texas Education Agency outlining (HB 2) implementation on new teacher certification requirements and incentives for uncertified teachers, which include information on limitations to school districts’ ability to waive certification requirements for foundational curriculum courses within their district of innovation plan (DOI).
The Levelland ISD school board last Wednesday and approved its Delay of Teacher Certification Plan for the district as presented by Asst. Superintendent Rodney Caddell.
In recent years, LISD has experienced ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining fully certified teachers – a trend consistent among school districts in Texas. As a result, LISD has at times relied on uncertified teachers, substitutes or individuals working towards certification to ensure classrooms remain staffed and instructional continuity is maintained.
To fall into compliance with state law, LISD is striving to ensure that the district has teachers to hold state certification by the start of the 2029-2030 school year.
According to Caddell, the district will several strategies to achieve compliance.
The first is to audit and inventory a current teacher certification status and compile a data-report of all teachers and maintain a spreadsheet document of certification status for all teaching staff in foundation courses (ELA, math, science, socials studies) showing certification status type, years until expiration and any permits or alternative certification in place by the end of the 2025-2026 school year. As per state requirements, there will be a pay differential between certified and noncertified teachers beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, with uncertified making less.
Currently, as of Feb. 3, the total number of teachers in LISD is 179, with 132 in foundational subjects. There are 29 uncertified teachers teaching foundational subjects or 29%.
Second, LISD will align recruiting and hiring strategies to meet certification requirements and prioritize candidates who either already or an intern/ associate permit with a defined pathway to standard certificate at time of hire beginning the 2026-2027 school year. If employed under permit or temporary certification, the candidate must have a deadline with a support plan in place.
Third, the district will provide access to an online exam preparation program to assist candidates for the certification exam and partner with Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) and Region Education Service Center 17 for residency route or alternative certification pathways such as iTeach Texas, Texas Teachers of Tomorrow, Lubbock Christian University, Texas Tech University, Wayland Baptist University and West Texas A&M.
LISD has established a partnership with an Texas Tech University (Raider Teach) approved EPP but may wish to collaborate with other EPPS. The district also has an established teacher mentor program.
Fourth, the district will verify that any teacher assigned in foundation curriculum courses, which includes ELA, arts, math, science and social studies, holds an appropriate certification. Those not holding a standard certificate will either expedite certification or be reassigned to a non-foundation course where a waiver may be permissible.
By 2028-2029 school year, there will be a target of 100% teacher of record assignments in foundation courses who hold valid certificates or permitted transition status, and the start of 2029-2030, all classroom teachers of record in foundation curriculum courses will hold proper certification or permit.
Districts applying for the delay of teacher certification must have a board-approved application in by March 2. Once submitted, applications will be subject to review and approved on a rolling schedule, with all notifications of approval shared no later than March 31.Higher Pay: HB 2 increases the