HOUSTON – Houston Independent School District announced that it is raising the minimum salary for Special Education teachers in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
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The district said in the upcoming school year, the minimum salary for a Special Education teacher will be $80,000. At New Education System (NES) schools, that minimum salary goes up to $86,000.
The salary increase is intended to rectify a nationwide shortage of teachers in Special Education, according to the district.
Previously, the salaries for a Special Education teacher fell on the standard pay scale for K-12 teachers plus a $1,000 stipend.
There are more required certifications required to teach in Special Education, which the district says is also a contributing factor to this move. For example, Special Educators in HISD are required to have an applicable bachelor’s degree, a TExES Special Educaton EC-12 certification, and a Core Content certification.
“HISD is steadfastly committed to ensuring our students with special needs are identified, supported, and positioned to achieve at high levels,” HISD Executive Director of Talent Acquisition Billy Solomon said. “That is our responsibility. Meeting that responsibility starts with attracting and retaining highly qualified educators—and paying them like the valued professionals they are.”