TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Tens of thousands of classrooms across Texas are being led by uncertified teachers, this prompted the state to give several school districts extended time to meet certification mandates amid an ongoing educator shortage, but the need is still high.

Under a state law signed last year by Gov. Greg Abbott, uncertified teachers must be phased out of teaching core subjects by the 2027-28 school year.

However, persistent staffing challenges have pushed the state to grant waivers delaying that deadline to 2029 for several East Texas districts, including Tyler, Longview, and Nacogdoches.