Amid concerns that Houston-area schools do not have enough qualified teachers to serve bilingual children and students with disabilities, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is providing an effective solution. UHD has redesigned its Alternative Certification Program (ACP) for Bilingual Education and Special Education, thanks to a $750,000 grant from Houston Endowment. The program will begin this fall and takes 18 months to complete.
The grant will result in the recruitment, preparation, and certification of 120 additional Houston teachers between 2026 and 2028. Unlike traditional teacher preparation pathways, the ACP is designed for individuals who already hold bachelor's degrees and want to become certified teachers. This approach is significant and necessary because demand for bilingual educators in Houston continues to grow. According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), nearly 29 % of the region's student population is classified as emergent bilinguals. Addressing the academic and linguistic needs of this population is complex and requires highly prepared and qualified educators.
“We firmly believe that supporting local school districts and students is our calling,”
said Dr. Bernardo Pohl, Professor of Urban Education and Dr. Elizabeth Stackhouse,
Assistant Professor of Urban Education, co-Principal Investigators of the grant. “We
are invested in addressing the shortage of teachers by redesigning this program by
making the path to
certification accessible without compromising quality of preparation.”
Program participants will receive:
- Specialized preparation in bilingual education and special education
- Individualized coaching and mentoring
- Certification testing vouchers
- A one-time $1,000 incentive scholarship
- Direct support from a site coordinator and clinical coach
For more information, visit the program page here.