A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

January 11, 2011

 

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:      

 

SUBJECT:  2011-2012 Teacher Shortage Areas

 

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has received approval from the US Department of Education (USDE) for the 2011-2012 teacher shortage areas.  Please note the shortage areas have changed from previous years.

 

The USDE has realigned the dates of the state shortage reports for preparation purposes.  The next shortage survey is projected to be released in the summer of 2011.  We appreciate all data provided by districts to ensure TEA has an accurate understanding of the needs of each school district. 

 

The approved shortage areas for the 2011-2012 school year are:

 

Bilingual Education                 Mathematics

Science                                   Spanish as a foreign language

Special Education

 

The approved shortage areas allow the administrator the ability to recruit and retain qualified teachers and to help reward teachers for their hard work using the loan forgiveness opportunities. School principals can act on behalf of the Commissioner of Education to certify that a teacher has met the minimum qualifications required for certain loan forgiveness programs.

 

Please see our TEA loan forgiveness website (below) for all requirements for the Federal, State and Public Service loan forgiveness programs available to teachers.  All school personnel can take advantage of the public service loan forgiveness program.

 

We appreciate your help to inform current and future staff about the loan forgiveness opportunities.  More information about eligibility for each of the programs and application forms can be found on the TEA website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/loan.aspx.  Thank you for directing teachers to this information and helping them complete the application for loan forgiveness.

 

For additional information, please contact Danielle Biehle in the Division of Educator and Student Policy Initiatives at danielle.biehle@tea.state.tx.us or (512)936.2166.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Priscilla Aquino Garza

Manager

Educator and Student Policy Initiatives