Teacher Certification is Key to Student Achievement

Teaching is one of the most impactful professions, shaping the minds and futures of millions of students every year. However, as the data shows, many newly hired teachers across Texas enter classrooms without formal training from an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). This trend has significant implications for teacher retention and student achievement. In this article, you will read more about how teacher certification is a key to student achievement.

The Data

During the 2023-2024 school year, 17,053 newly hired teachers in Texas held no Texas teaching certificate or permit, accounting for 34% of all new hires. This percentage has steadily increased over recent years, from 6% in 2013-2014 to 19% in 2021-2022, and then to 30% in 2022-2023 (source).

The graph shows that the certification status of newly hired teachers within Region 13 (Central Texas) is closely aligned with the state statistics.

Many new teachers begin their careers with pedagogy training provided by their districts but without the comprehensive, research-based preparation offered by a formal EPP. This gap in preparation is concerning given the role teacher effectiveness plays in student success.

The Role of Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs)

While many associate EPPs with testing and certification, their core mission goes far deeper. EPPs provide rigorous, candidate-focused, performance-based coursework.

For example, the Education Service Center (ESC) Region 13’s Educator Certification Program (ECP) candidates receive over 300 hours of intensive coursework and training aligned with Texas Educator Standards.

EPPs emphasize training in:

• Planning
• Instruction
• Learning environment
• Child development
• Professionalism
• Addressing the needs of students with disabilities
• Supporting emergent bilingual students
• Digital literacy

Additionally, EPPs provide coaching and support to candidates as they apply these research-based practices in their classrooms through field supervision. This comprehensive preparation equips teachers to make a positive and lasting impact on their students.

The Cost of Inadequate Preparation

According to the UT Austin Education Research Center, less than 40% of uncertified teachers were still in the classroom after five years, with over 30% leaving after their first year of teaching. This high turnover rate among uncertified teachers creates school instability and disrupts student learning.

In The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher, education researcher Harry Wong famously stated, “The single greatest effect on student achievement is not race, it is not poverty—it is the effectiveness of the teacher.”

Investing in teacher certification is both an investment in teacher effectiveness and student achievement.

The Impact of Region 13 ECP

The ESC Region 13 Educator Certification Program (ECP) exemplifies the value of a high-quality EPP. Our program’s effectiveness is demonstrated by:

• TEA Accountability Data
• Internal survey data
• Testimonials from certified educators

ESC Region 13 ECP is also proud that while we focus on pedagogical practices, our candidates have a high success rate on their content test, one of the many requirements in the certification process in Texas.

Candidate Confidence

ESC Region 13 ECP candidates consistently report confidence in essential teaching skills, such as planning, instruction, classroom management, and working with special-needs populations.

Principal Feedback

Principals of ESC Region 13 ECP candidates express high confidence in how well-prepared these teachers are, reflecting the quality of foundational pedagogical skills taught in the program.

Field Supervisor Support

Field Supervisors are a cornerstone of the ESC Region 13 ECP, acting as coaches who provide guidance and support through observations and feedback. Candidates rate their Field Supervisors highly, underscoring the program’s emphasis on individualized support.

A Call to Action

We know that:

1. Well-prepared and effective educators positively impact student achievement, and
2. Certified teachers are more likely to remain in the classroom for longer periods.

Investing in teacher certification is a direct investment in student success.

If you’re considering transitioning into teaching and earning your standard teacher certificate in Texas, we encourage you to:

• Ask questions
• Do your research
• Find an Educator Preparation Program that aligns with your goals and equips you with the skills needed to succeed.

If you are district personnel interested in learning how teacher certification can benefit teachers on your campus, or if you are an uncertified teacher interested in learning how certification can increase your pedagogical knowledge, reach out to the Region 13 Educator Certification Program. ECP believes our greatest contribution is to ensure there is a teacher in every classroom who cares that every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. We want to work together to support your students, campus, and district.

Learn More about ECP at ESC Region 13

To connect with the ESC Region 13’s Education Services staff, email us at ecp@esc13.txed.net.

For more information about the certification process and to get a free copy of our Alternative Teacher Certification Checklist, visit our Step-by-Step Guide to Alternative Certification. Additional resources and related articles are available on our website and blog.

Invest in your career. Invest in your students. Choose teacher certification.