Office of the Superintendent of Schools
Office of Human Resources
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Approval Of Certification Waiver For Teachers, Counselors, And Assistant Principals For The 2026-2027 School Year
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The purpose of this agenda item is to request that the Houston Independent School District (HISD) School Board approves the district’s application to the commissioner of education for a certification waiver for teachers, counselors, and assistant principals for the 2026-2027 school year. The waiver is required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to hire educators who do not yet hold teacher, counselor, or assistant principal certification.
The TEA permits school districts to request certification waivers to address staffing needs when certified candidates are not available. HISD may need to hire and employ qualified but uncertified teachers, counselors, and assistant principals for the 2026-2027 school year when a certified candidate is not available. Due to the continuing shortage of certified educators, the district must leverage available certification waiver options to ensure all classrooms and campuses are appropriately staffed at the start of the school year.
Approval of this item ensures the district maintains alignment with state law while implementing its approved certification compliance plan.
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COST/FUNDING SOURCE(S): |
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STAFFING IMPLICATIONS: |
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THIS ITEM DOES NOT ESTABLISH, MODIFY, OR DELETE BOARD POLICY.
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RECOMMENDED: That the School Board approves the district’s application to the commissioner of education for a waiver of the certification requirement for teachers, counselors, and assistant principals, effective June 12, 2026.