New law aims to address Pa. substitute teacher shortage - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law Friday aimed at alleviating the longstanding substitute teacher shortage impacting schools across Pennsylvania.
The bipartisan legislation increases the number of people eligible to substitute in public schools and provides flexibility to ensure safe and structured learning environments, according to the governor.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned how critical in-classroom education is for our K-12 students,” Mr. Wolf said. “I am proud to sign this legislation which allows schools the short-term flexibility to ensure children can safely learn in-person where we know is best for them and their futures. I look forward to continuing to work with members of the General Assembly to address these key issues longer term.”
Under the new law, the pool of those who can serve as substitute teachers expands in multiple ways.
Retired teachers can fill teacher vacancies on an emergency or short-term basis; eligible college students and recent graduates of education programs can sub; educators with active Pennsylvania certificates and those with comparable out-of-state certificates can serve as day-to-day substitutes for 20 days — or longer depending on some circumstances; and teachers with inactive certificates may substitute for 180 days instead of 90 days per school year,
In addition, people 25 or older who have at least 60 college credits or three years of experience as a paraprofessional and complete training on classroom management may serve as classroom monitors by delivering preplanned assignments for a teacher.
State Rep. Barb Gleim, R-Cumberland, sponsored the bill, saying that something had to be done to to help schools ensure they have the staffing they need.
“The declining number of teaching certificates issued in Pennsylvania, plus the strain of bringing back students who have been out of physical classrooms for 18 months, has exacerbated the substitute crisis throughout the state,” Ms. Gleim said. “Schools have not been able to find enough substitutes to cover a day of classes for some time now and it continues to get worse.”
The Pennsylvania State Education Association, the state’s largest teachers group, supported the bill with the hope that it will reduce the number of overcrowded classrooms and ease the burden facing teachers and support staff.
“For months, PSEA members have been stressed to the breaking point because of the shortage of substitute teachers,” PSEA President Rich Askey said. “Without enough substitutes, some students are missing lessons, learning in packed classrooms, or even gathering in cafeterias.”
Mr. Askey, though, said better compensation is also needed to attract and retain more substitutes.
“PSEA urges school districts across Pennsylvania to apply for American Rescue Plan funds that can be used to increase daily pay for substitutes,” he said. “By expanding the pool of substitutes and paying them what they deserve for a hard day’s work, we can address this crisis before it takes any further toll on student learning and the already heavy workload of our educators and support professionals.”
The substitute teacher shortage has been a problem that schools have attempted to address since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state Department of Education in early 2020 introduced the option for schools to bring in guest substitutes — or substitutes without teaching certificates — because of the falling number of certified teachers in Pennsylvania over the past two decades. Those guest substitutes must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject. The program is meant to help school districts while giving an option to people who seek part-time work, are potentially interested in pursuing careers in education or want to work with children in their communities.
Schools frequently attempt to recruit substitute teachers.
The Upper St. Clair School District said Friday it is accepting applications for the spring 2022 cohort of its Extended Teacher Certification program for non-educators who are interested in serving as substitute teachers.
The program allows people who hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited college or university but do not have a Pennsylvania teaching certificate to become substitutes.
“The ETC substitute program is a great option for those who are considering a career in education, returning to the workforce or looking to work with children,” said Ray Carson, the district’s senior director of operations and administrative services.
Andrew Golstein: [email protected] or 412-263-1352.
First Published December 17, 2021, 10:05pm
source: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/12/17/law-substitute-teacher-shortage-Pennsylvania/stories/202112170129
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