This week’s query:
There are thousands of substitute teachers in Texas schools. How are they vetted, trained and paid?
In Texas, substitute teachers instruct innumerable pupils each day. Last year, the Greater Houston area alone was predicted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to have 16,540 substitute teachers.
Each school district in Texas has the authority to impose additional background and training requirements on substitutes and guest teachers, in addition to the basic qualifications specified by state officials.
Here’s what you should know about the hiring process and training substitutes get in districts.
How does someone become a substitute teacher?
Candidates must choose which district they want to work for in order to become substitute teachers.
After submitting an application, candidates must submit to fingerprinting and a background investigation conducted by the state, which includes a review of their criminal history and convictions. Texas law prohibits hiring a substitute teacher whose certification has been suspended or revoked.
Additionally, school districts usually impose additional restrictions on applicants for substitute teaching positions.
Usually, candidates need to have a GED or high school degree. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or teaching certification are preferred by the majority of districts.
Some districts require applicants to have completed at least a few hours of college. For substitute instructors, Pasadena ISD needs a minimum of 30 semester college hours, which is the same as finishing a full year of college. In contrast to Aldine ISD, which requires 60 hours of college credits for applicants without a teacher certification, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree, Spring and Houston ISDs demand at least 48 hours.
What training does a substitute teacher undergo?
Although most districts need subs to attend orientation workshops, where they learn the fundamentals of education, classroom management, and organization, among other topics, state law does not mandate any specific training for subs.
Pasadena ISD is one of the districts that will require substitutes to finish a behavioral management course at their own pace. Within 60 days of their hire date, Conroe ISD subs are required to finish a series of online safety courses. Every year, Humble ISD mandates that all staff members—including substitutes—complete compliance training covering a variety of subjects, including as child abuse, district policy, and school safety.
In order to continue receiving assignments, several districts also mandate that substitute teachers work a certain number of days each month during the academic year.
How much do substitute teachers get paid?
Pay rates in certain districts are determined by the level of education and certification of the subordinate.
Certified instructors in Spring ISD get $105 a day, while noncertified teachers make $90. In Aldinerece, newsubs receive $116 per day if they are certified, $105 if they have a bachelor’s degree but are not certified, and $100 if they are not.
On days when they are not assigned to schools, substitute teachers usually do not earn a salary, perks, or payment. If a sub works a long-term assignment, they may be eligible for paid time off in some districts. For instance, HISD awards one paid personal day for each 20 days in a row that are worked.
Republish this narrative
Our stories can be republished in print or online for free.
