TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:
Senate Bill 1128 requires the Commissioner of Education to identify subject areas of acute teacher shortage. Through a process implemented by the Texas Education Agency, the following subject areas are identified as areas of acute teacher shortage for the 2000-2001 school year only:
Areas of Acute Shortage
Mathematics (secondary)*
Science (secondary)*
Special Education (all level)
Languages other than English (secondary)*
Bilingual/English as a Second Language (all level)
Technology Applications (secondary)*
*secondary (grades 6-12)
Texas school districts may hire retired individuals as classroom teachers on as much as a full-time basis, if the retiree has retired under Government Code Section 824.202(a) without reduction for retirement at an early age and if that individual is certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code to teach in the aforementioned acute teacher shortage subject areas and has been separated from service with all public schools for at least 12 months. For these persons, the retirement system may not, under Government Code, Section 824.601, withhold a monthly benefit payment if the retiree is employed in a Texas public educational institution. Districts may petition the Agency to consider unique local circumstances that cause there to be areas of acute teacher shortage other than the six areas as specified above.
Districts and teachers should realize that eligibility for inclusion in the areas of shortage is in some cases based on rules of the State Board for Educator Certification allowing placement of individuals who lack certification in the subject but have a certain number of course hours in the subject. Any changes in permissible classroom placements of teachers not certified in the subject area will be reflected in areas of acute shortage for future years.
Please know that your continued efforts in staffing Texas classrooms are appreciated. If you have questions related to this information, please contact the Office of Continuing Education and School Improvement Initiatives at the Texas Education Agency (512) 463-8532.
Sincerely yours,
Jim Nelson
Commissioner of Education
For further information on this topic, contact the Office of Continuing Education and School Improvement Initiatives at the Texas Education Agency (512) 463-8532.