TEA: 2016-2017 Teacher Shortages And Loan Forgiveness Programs

The United States Department of Education (USDE) has approved the 2016-2017 teacher shortage areas submitted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

The approved shortage areas for the 2016-2017 school year are:

1. Bilingual/English as a Second Language – Elementary and Secondary Levels
2. Career and Technical Education
3. Computer Science/Technology Applications
4. Mathematics
5. Science
6. Special Education – Elementary and Secondary Levels

The approved shortage areas give administrators the ability to recruit and retain qualified teachers and to help reward teachers for their hard work using the loan forgiveness opportunities. School principals can certify that a teacher has met the minimum qualifications required for certain loan forgiveness programs.

The federal, state, and public service loan forgiveness programs are available to teachers. All school personnel can take advantage of the public service program.

More information about eligibility for each of the programs and application forms can be found on the TEA website at:

http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Educator_Initiatives_and_Performance/Federal_Teacher_Loan_Forgiveness_Program/.

For additional information about loan forgiveness opportunities, please contact James Golsan in the Department of Educator Leadership and Quality at james.golsan@tea.texas.gov.