Houston’s education leaders gathered in February for the US PREP Houston Learning Tour, highlighting innovative strategies for teacher preparation, retention, and strategic staffing. The tour brought together school districts, educator preparation programs, and policy advocates to explore how collaboration—not competition—can drive sustainable solutions for Texas’ ongoing teacher workforce challenges.
“Houston’s education leaders are demonstrating that when school districts, educator preparation programs, and decision-makers collaborate, they can build stronger, more effective pathways for aspiring teachers,” said Carlos Villagrana, Education Program Officer for Houston Endowment. “Instead of competing for limited resources, partners are working together to align preparation programs with district needs, ensuring new teachers are ready to step into the classroom and succeed.”
With teacher shortages at critical levels, Houston stakeholders are tackling the twin challenges of preparation and retention. Key strategies include paid teacher residencies, mentoring programs, and data-driven hiring practices—all designed to ensure new teachers receive the support they need to stay in the profession long-term. Research shows high-quality preparation and structured mentorship significantly improve teacher retention rates and student learning outcomes.
Paid yearlong residencies allow aspiring teachers to gain hands-on experience while earning a stipend, making the profession more accessible. These programs also provide students with more individualized learning opportunities and expose mentor teachers to new instructional strategies. When paired with strategic staffing—placing experienced educators in high-need areas—districts see improved student achievement and better teacher retention rates.
At the policy level, House Bill 8 (HB 8) is helping to reshape teacher preparation across Texas by changing how community colleges are funded. HB 8 moves away from an enrollment-based model and instead ties funding to student success, including credential completion and university transfer rates. This approach creates a powerful incentive for community colleges to develop high-quality teacher preparation pathways, especially for first-generation students and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
In partnership with school districts and four-year universities, Texas community colleges are uniquely positioned to expand access to high-quality teacher preparation programs. By leveraging HB 8’s funding model, these institutions can increase financial aid, improve transfer pathways, and provide more structured support for aspiring educators.
“This shift is significant in addressing the state’s reliance on uncertified teachers—a trend that has contributed to student learning loss and high teacher turnover,” Villagrana said. “As Texas continues to innovate, Houston’s collaborative approach offers a blueprint for strengthening the teacher workforce—one that other regions can learn from and adapt.”