Schools are hiring instructors with different types of backgrounds to deal with critical staff shortages.

The Senate education committee has drastically changed House Bill 100 after Gov. Greg Abbott signaled he would call a special session if a voucher-like program didn’t pass.

Texas schools have long had too few teachers. The pandemic made the situation worse — but issues like low pay, poor benefits and polarizing statewide politics all have an impact, too.

Two states have dropped the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, and three others passed on it or want it gone.