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Why the need for a Certification Resource Toolkit?
Teacher certification is a critical gateway for candidates pursuing the classroom and for the students who depend on great teachers. Yet the process is often complex or fragmented, leaving candidates uncertain about next steps and leaders without the tools to intervene effectively. This toolkit centralizes everything Texas school district and Educator Preparation Program (EPP) leaders need to support their candidates through certification on time, ensuring every student has access to a certified teacher.
Rationale
Research shows that students taught by uncertified teachers with no prior classroom experience lose months of learning, and this learning loss compounds as students have more uncertified teachers over time (Kirksey, 2026). Texas’s House Bill 2, which was signed into law in June 2025, moves to phase out the hiring of uncertified teachers in foundational subject areas by 2029-30. Per TEC, §21.003, a person in Texas may no longer be employed as a teacher, teacher intern or teacher trainee by a school district unless the person holds an appropriate certificate or permit issued as provided by Subchapter B, which includes any State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)-issued certificate (intern, probationary, standard, or enhanced standard) or emergency permit for the subject area and grade level. This legislation reflects a growing body of evidence that certified teachers produce stronger student outcomes and are more likely to stay in the classroom (Patrick et al., 2026), and it sets a new bar for how districts must staff and support their teacher pipelines. At the same time, many leaders are having to navigate these rules amid real staffing challenges, balancing hiring needs, budget constraints, and scheduling challenges all while driving student outcomes.
This toolkit gives leaders a clear, consistent process to track progress, support teachers, and avoid last-minute crises, so that certification becomes part of strong teacher development, not just compliance. To support teacher candidates effectively towards successful certification completion, leaders must use data, coaching, and clear systems to help them succeed. This toolkit is designed to fit into existing practices so leaders can support teacher candidates efficiently while ensuring every classroom has a qualified, certified teacher.
Who is the Intended Audience for this Toolkit?
Who is the Intended Audience for this Toolkit?
The Certification Resource Toolkit is designed with several stakeholders in mind. Understanding what each role plays in the process of supporting uncertified teachers is critical.
The following list outlines the primary roles involved in supporting uncertified teachers towards certification, along with key responsibilities and relevant toolkit sections for each roles.
Certification Lead (district or EPP)
The Systems Anchor: Monitor data, tier teachers, set coaching cadence, lead intervention for off-track teachers, coordinate communication across roles, provide access to supports, and ensure systems are functioning.
Key Sections in the Toolkit
Field Supervisor
The Accountability Partner: Provide day-to-day accountability and support structures, reinforce expectations, and ensure teachers follow through on study plans.
Key Sections in the Toolkit
Campus Leader (district)
The Authority & Enabler: Remove structural barriers, reinforce organizational priority around certification, communicate stakes to off-track candidates, and ensure teachers have the scheduling, coverage, and resource support needed to make progress.
Key Sections in the Toolkit
Mentor Teacher (district) or Faculty Member (EPP)
The Content Coach: Support content understanding, connect exam content to classroom instruction, provide encouragement and practical strategies.
Key Sections in the Toolkit
How to Use this Tookit
How to Use this Tookit
We recommend starting with 1. Start Here: Step-by-Step Action Checklist to determine where your organization currently stands with supporting 4uncertified candidates. From there, you should be able to assess your organization’s needs and navigate to relevant sections of the toolkit:
2. Understanding Texas Certification (The Requirements)
3. Using Data to Monitor Progress (The Diagnosis)
4. Coaching & Support Protocols (The Action)
5. Candidate Facing Exam Study Aids (The Candidate Resources)
What if I still have questions or need more support?
What if I still have questions or need more support?
If you have feedback or questions on the Toolkit itself, you may email consortium@commitpartnership.org.
If you have questions about general certification requirements, you may contact TEA’s Educator Preparation and Certification team by submitting a ticket through the TEA Help Desk.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
This toolkit reflects the vision, expertise, and commitment of many. Special thanks to Upward Learning for their partnership in designing and developing these materials, and to the districts, educator preparation programs, and ecosystem partners across the Dallas County Consortium for Teacher Excellence whose input shaped the content and direction of this work.
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