In an effort to keep classrooms staffed for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year, Governor Whitmer signed a bill that would allow school personnel with high school diplomas or GEDs to serve as substitute teachers.
House Bill 4294 addresses the shortage of substitute teachers available and makes way for any school employee such as secretaries and paraprofessionals to supervise classrooms as substitute teachers.
According the St. Clair County RESA’s website, regular requirements for substitute teachers include a background check, valid identification, a current or expired Michigan teaching certificate, and official proof of 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours of credit from a regionally accredited college or university.
The newly signed bill will allow any school district or intermediate school district employee who holds a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate (E.g. a GED) to serve as a substitute teacher.
If that person’s salary is higher than the rate paid for substitute teaching, they must be compensated at the higher rate. If it is lower, their pay must be increased to the rate paid to substitute teach. According to the bill, employees cannot be terminated if they decline the opportunity to substitute teach.
Whitmer said, “Allowing schools to employ school staff that students know as substitute teachers will help keep school doors open and students learning in the classroom the rest of the school year. I am committed to working with the legislature to develop high-quality solutions to addr
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
