Teacher Vacancy Task Force Overview
Task Force Final Report
The Teacher Vacancy Task Force's (TVTF) final report, Developing a Thriving Teacher Workforce in Texas, includes policy recommendations to address teacher vacancies throughout Texas.
Through examining research and evidence, considering the perspectives of educators across the state, and continuous stakeholder input, the TVTF developed recommendations focused on support for teachers in the key areas of teacher compensation, training and support, and working conditions. In order for these recommendations to be implemented and expanded, the TVTF recommends that they not only be offered as options for districts, but that additional funding be allocated at the level necessary for successful implementation.
The TVTF was established in March 2022 by Governor Abbott to examine teacher retention and recruitment challenges across Texas. The TVTF met from March 2022 to February 2023 with the primary objectives of understanding challenges school systems are facing related to teacher vacancies and developing recommendations for regulatory or other policy changes for the Texas Education Agency, the Texas legislature, and local school systems.
Download Final Report
Download Executive SummaryTask Force Regional Representation
The Task Force was comprised of teachers and school system leaders in public education hailing from a variety of districts and geographies, and serving student populations that are representative of the diversity of Texas.
Task Force Membership List
Meeting Dates, Slide Decks and Notes
The Task Force met from March 2022 through February 2023, with Commissioner Morath and agency leadership regularly facilitating discussions with Task Force members, while including insights gathered from experts and additional education stakeholders throughout the State of Texas.
| Agenda & Preliminary Executive Summary | Presentation Decks | Summary Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting Agenda | Opening Session | Opening Session |
| Preliminary Executive Summary | Breakout: Compensation | Breakout: Compensation |
| Breakout: Training and Support | Breakout: Training and Support | |
| Breakout: Working Conditions | Breakout: Working Conditions | |
| Closing Session | Closing Session | |
| Summary Presentation (March 23, 2023) |
| Agenda & Stakeholder Input | Presentation Decks | Summary Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting Agenda | Opening Session | Opening Session |
| Stakeholder Meeting Input Session | Breakout: Compensation | Breakout: Compensation |
| Breakout: Training and Support | Breakout: Training and Support | |
| Breakout: Working Conditions | Breakout: Working Conditions | |
| Working Group Session | Working Group Session | |
| Closing Session | Closing Session |
| Agenda & Pre-Work | Presentation Decks | Summary Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Session | Opening Session | |
| Meeting Pre-Work | Breakout: Compensation | Breakout: Compensation |
| Working Group Pre-Work | Breakout: Improving Teacher Preparation | Breakout: Improving Teacher Preparation |
| Breakout: Talent Pipelines | Breakout: Talent Pipelines | |
| Breakout: Teacher Experience | Breakout: Teacher Experience | |
| Closing Session | Closing Session | |
| Summary Presentation (November 17, 2022) |
| Agenda & Pre-Work | Presentation Decks | Summary Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome and Logistics | Welcome and Logistics | |
| 2022-2023 TFS Staffing Plan Review | Third Future Schools Presentation | Third Future Schools Presentation |
| Compensation Pre-Work | Breakout: Compensation | Breakout: Compensation |
| Improving Teacher Preparation Pre-Work | Breakout: Improving Teacher Preparation | Breakout: Improving Teacher Preparation |
| Talent Pipelines Working Group Pre-Work | Breakout: Talent Pipelines | Breakout: Talent Pipelines |
| Teacher Experience Pre-Work | Breakout: Teacher Experience | Breakout: Teacher Experience |
| Closing Session and Working Group Shareout | Closing Session and Working Group Shareout | |
| Summary Presentation (September 15, 2022) |
| Agenda & Pre-Work | Presentation Decks | Summary Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome, Introductions, and Logistics | Welcome, Introductions, and Logistics | |
| Meeting Pre-Work | Commissioner Morath's Comments and Q&A | Commissioner Morath's Comments and Q&A |
| Working Group Topic Overviews | Overview of Task Force Deliverables and Working Groups | Overview of Task Force Deliverables and Working Groups |
| Breakout: Educator Preparation | Breakout: Educator Preparation | |
| Breakout: Strategic Staffing Models | Breakout: Strategic Staffing Models | |
| Breakout: Compensation Models | Breakout: Compensation Models | |
|
Breakout: Teacher Experience |
Breakout: Teacher Experience | |
| Working Group Share Out | Working Group Share Out | |
| Summary Presentation (June 30, 2022) | ||
| Summary Presentation (July 21, 2022) |
Resources
| Source | Resource | Type |
|---|---|---|
| TEA | Teacher Voice: An open solicitation of teacher perspectives | |
| Southern Regional Education Board | A Blueprint to Solve Teacher Shortages | |
| CEEDAR Center, Center on Great Teachers & Leaders | An Opportunity to Invest in the Educator Workforce | |
| Charles Butt Foundation | 2021: How Texas Teachers Experience Pandemic Challenges | |
| Association of Texas Professional Educators | Let Us Teach: ATPE Members Provide Input to Teacher Vacancy Task Force | |
| AFT Texas | The Crisis in Our Schools: What’s Needed to Support Employees & Students | |
| Charles Butt Foundation | The 2022 Texas Teacher Poll | External Webpage |
| TNTP | Addressing Teacher Shortages: Practical Ideas for the Pandemic and Beyond | External Webpage |
| Learning Policy Institute | Tackling Teacher Shortages: What Can States and Districts Do? | External Webpage |
| Education Week | ‘Disrespected’ and ‘Dissatisfied’: 8 Takeaways from a New Survey of Teachers | External Webpage |
| Source | Resource | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Socorro ISD | Strategic Staffing: Teacher Residency in Socorro ISD | |
| Forney ISD | Forney Academy to Certify Teachers | |
| Third Future Schools | 2022-2023 TFS Staffing Plan |
| Source | Resource | Type |
|---|---|---|
| TEA | Teacher Hiring Resources | Webpage |
| TEA | Frequently Asked Questions (Updated June 10th, 2022) | |
| TEA | Teacher Assignment Flexibility | |
| TEA | Use of Retired Teachers to Support Staffing | Webpage |
| TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) | External Webpage | |
| TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) | 7 Ways to Qualify an Uncertified Teacher | External Webpage |
Questions
If you have any questions or comments related to the work of the Teacher Vacancy Task Force, please contact us at: TEATeacherVacancyTaskForce@tea.texas.gov.