Clear Creek ISD averaged about 30 uncertified teacher hires per year over the past three years, and now faces a state mandate to get all foundational-subject teachers certified by the 2027-28 school year.
The district's board of trustees approved a strategic plan in February to reduce uncertified hires and reach full compliance by 2029-30, according to Community Impact. The district had used its District of Innovation designation to hire uncertified teachers in core subjects, a practice the new plan phases out under Texas House Bill 2.
The push comes as Texas grapples with a teacher certification crisis: uncertified educators made up 52% of all new hires statewide in 2023-24, according to Community Impact. The share of uncertified teachers across the state more than tripled between 2019-20 and 2024-25, rising from 3.8% to 12%, according to the Learning Policy Institute.
For the 2025-26 school year, nearly 2% of CCISD's teachers were uncertified and pursuing certification. All hold bachelor's degrees and are enrolled in or working toward full credentials, according to the district's certification plan.
Under the plan, every new uncertified hire must enroll in an educator preparation program within 30 days and receives an individualized support plan. The district also partnered with the University of Houston to run internship and residency programs where teachers-in-training work alongside certified mentors for a full academic year.
Growing its own pipeline
Executive Director of Human Resources Britani Moses presented a broader staffing strategy at the board's April 13 meeting, according to Community Impact. "We're dedicated to ensuring that CCISD has a robust strategic staffing plan, to address both recruitment with the 'grow our own' pipeline, as well as retention with national board certification and the teacher incentive allotment," Moses told trustees.
That pipeline has two tracks: a high school pathway through career and technical education that has produced more than 80 students earning state education aide certifications over two years, and a paraprofessional pathway partnering with Grand Canyon University. The GCU partnership, backed by $52,980 in scholarships and $110,925 in grants for 2025-26, lets paraprofessionals earn a degree for less than $2,000 per year in tuition.
CCISD ranks second in Texas for National Board Certified Teachers, with 20 certified educators and nearly 80 more in the certification pathway.
Budget pressure and a state incentive
The certification push unfolds against a $23.4 million projected budget shortfall for fiscal year 2026-27. Enrollment has dropped roughly 8.5% since 2019, costing the district about $28 million annually in state funding, as we reported earlier this month.
Texas House Bill 2, passed in 2025, offers a financial lifeline: $1,000 per teacher for districts whose uncertified educators become certified by August 2027. The law also requires all teachers in English language arts, math, science and social studies to hold certification by 2027-28. Beginning in 2026-27, CCISD will be eligible for additional HB 2 funding tied to educator retention.
Trustee Arturo Sanchez warned at an Aug. 14 board workshop, as reported by Community Impact, that stagnant state funding threatens the district's ability to retain quality staff. "We are looking at potentially negatively impacting things that set us apart that make our district attractive," Sanchez said.
What's next
CCISD will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, in the boardroom at the Education Support Center, 2425 E. Main St., League City, to discuss and adopt the 2026-27 budget and proposed tax rate. The district plans to submit its certification transition plan to the Texas Education Agency.
