TEXAS TEACHER VACANCY TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS INCREASED PAY, TRAINING, TIME EFFICIENCY
The Teacher Vacancy Task Force created last year by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has given its recommendations on how to address the staffing shortages faced by school districts across the state.
The task force on Friday released its final report that focuses on three main policy categories: compensation, working conditions, and training and support.
Among the task force’s prioritized recommendations are funding an increase to overall teacher salaries through the basic allotment and minimum salary schedule, as well as expanding strategic compensation systems such as the Teacher Incentive Allotment.
Also recommended is expanding the pipeline and pre-service preparation of novice teachers, increasing support for teacher mentorship and leadership opportunities, and improving access to high-quality instructional materials.
In addition, the task force wants the state to take steps to help districts develop strategic staffing and scheduling models that respect teacher time. Schoolwide culture and discipline supports to address working condition concerns are also emphasized.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said the state must make sure teachers “feel valued, supported, and able to remain in the classroom, if they so choose.” He said, “The work of the task force has further illuminated critical issues facing Texas public schools and has provided concrete steps to move forward.”
Our education system is never going to change as long as it’s run the same way. Throwing money at something never works. First off money has no courage so how does it help. Teachers have to feel empowered rather than targeted. Students no matter what age that bully others and cause problems should be dealt with and not glorified. I honestly see young adults now that do not know simple in your head math like making change from a cash purchase really sad. So really educated folks running things throwing more and more of our taxpayers dollars might think about fixing the real problems before throwing more money away. Start with the buses so kids can ride a bus without getting bullied where they sit down shut up and ride without disruption. Why don’t some of you office hot shots ride the bus and put the money where your behind should be I will vote for that guy.
Steve after working for the school system ten years you are absolutely right. It doesn’t matter what the pay is or how beautiful your school is. I was also in Katy. New school, new football program money was spent like it was falling from the sky. Nothing changed but taxes. Honestly it was better before parents insisted it wasn’t good enough for their kids. Brenham is making the same mistakes. Bad behavior should not be tolerated and teachers need classes on classroom management skills. Start there, accomplish those two then move on. Why do you think St Paul’s is building a high school? But we pay BISD high taxes for what? Get some good leadership or I should say new. Because this isn’t working.
These are great ideas and would be a great help. Another help would be to let retired teachers that substitute teach go back as a full time teacher. Making a retired teacher wait 1 year without subbing before they can go back to teaching is keeping good veteran teachers from going back.
Teachers must feel valued through their workload, parental and administrative support, student respect, and monetarily.