WAIVERS AND District of Innovation Exemption

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) allows school districts to employ teachers and other school leaders without certification by submitting a request to waive or be exempted from such requirements for a limited number of years. HISD is electing to use the certification waiver or District of Innovation (DOI) exemption option to hire and employ educators working towards certification. The continuing shortage of certified educators across the state of Texas and the United States has resulted in the need for school districts to leverage these allowable TEA certification waiver or exemption options.

Expected Goal/Outcome For Individuals Working Towards Certification

Individuals who qualify for and are approved for a certification waiver are expected to join an Educator Preparation Program or Alternative Certification Program and earn their Texas standard teaching certificate in the content and grade level for their teaching assignment by the end of the waiver period. A list of state-approved Educator Preparation Programs/Alternative Certification Programs can be found at Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) in Texas.
HISD Approved Positions For Individuals Working Towards Certification
The HISD Board of Managers approved the waiver of certification for the following positions:
- Assistant Principal
- Teachers (for approved positions only)
- Counselors
Positions NOT Approved For Individuals Working Towards Certification
- Special Education
- Bilingual Education
- ESL
- Prekindergarten

HISD CERTIFICATION WAIVER REQUIREMENTS BY POSITION

To qualify for a certification waiver for an approved waiver position in HISD, the individual must meet the following requirements. Individuals who qualify for and are approved for a certification waiver must earn the appropriate Texas standard principal or teacher certification by the end of the approved waiver period to remain in their position for the forthcoming school year.

Teacher
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
- Successfully complete an Approved Educator Preparation Program.
- Successfully pass the required exam(s) for the teaching assignment and earn their Texas standard teaching certificate by the end of the approved waiver period.
Assistant Principal or Dean
- Must hold a master’s degree from a university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
- Hold a valid classroom teaching certificate.
- Have two years of creditable teaching experience as a classroom teacher.
- Successfully complete an approved principal educator preparation program.
- Successfully pass the required exam(s) and earn their Texas standard teaching certificate by the end of the approved waiver period.
Counselor
- Must hold a master’s degree in School Counseling from a university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
- Successfully complete an approved educator preparation program.
- Successfully pass the required exam(s) and earn their Texas standard counseling certificate by the end of the approved waiver period.