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There is currently a strong demand for teachers in Texas due to a teacher shortage. The increase in demand for teachers is due to stable or growing student enrollment coupled with higher teacher attrition rates, an aging workforce, and a decrease in teacher preparation enrollments.
Districts across Texas and the Permian Basin have been forced to hire teachers without certification or have teachers teaching in a content area out of their certification area due to the demand for qualified teachers. Historically, the attrition rate across the state typically runs 11-12%. The natural attrition rate creates a natural demand for teachers, but lower enrollment in teacher preparation programs increases that demand. To learn more about Texas attrition rates and related data, please visit the TEA Educator Reports and Data website.
According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the need for teachers is expected to continue to grow over the next 10 years. The need for qualified teachers in rural areas across Texas also continues to grow.
According to TEA, the 2022-2023 teacher shortage areas have been approved by the US Department of Education. The approved shortage areas for 2022-2023 are as follows:
Bilingual/English as a Second Language – Elementary and Secondary Levels
Special Education – Elementary and Secondary Levels
Career and Technical Education - Secondary Level
Technology Applications and Computer Science – Elementary and Secondary Levels
English Language Arts and Reading – Elementary and Secondary Levels
Mathematics - Secondary Level
Science – Secondary Level
According to the Texas Teacher Workforce Report written in 2021 by Raise Your Hand Texas, the retention rate of first year teachers over a 10 year period continues to decline. There is also an increasing need to attract minority teachers. Alternative Certification Programs have the ability to fill both of these needs. The Permian Basin currently has two Alternative Certification programs located in Ector County. However, the land covered in this region is large and diverse, and there is a need for additional quality programs serving Andrews County and rural districts in the area.
Other Sources for Supply and Demand of Educators:
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