Talk about innovative recruiting...

The Region IV Educational Service Center's Texas/Mexico Initiative program advertises in Mexican newspapers, on television programs and on radio programs. The Houston school district has recruited 47 teachers from Region IV's Mexico program during the last six years.

Once hired, teaching candidates apply for a temporary work visa as professionals. Many later apply for residency, a process that can take years. Some districts, including Alief, entice recruits by offering to sponsor their residency application. Costs for immigration procedures and testing for a Texas teaching license can be high, but teaching salaries in Texas - around $40,000 for new teachers - is often three to four times what the individuals would be paid in Mexico. Additionally, many Texas school districts pay $5,000 stipends for bilingual teachers.

The Texas/Mexico recruiting initiative started as a small program with a handful of candidates in Guadalajara, but interest has spread throughout Mexico and Texas. Preparation classes are available in at least 15 cities in Mexico, including Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puebla, Tampico, Morelia, Tijuana and Veracruz.

As the face of Texas continues to change, state and school officials will no doubt continue to seek new and innovative ways to help meet the educational needs of a growing and diverse Texas population.