How are substitute teachers in Texas screened and trained?

The weekly “Answer Key” is designed to help families by answering important questions about education and schools in Greater Houston. If you have any questions, please email us at education@houstonlanding.org or fill out the form at the end of this article.

This week’s question:

There are thousands of substitute teachers in Texas schools. How are they vetted, trained, and paid?

Countless students are taught by substitute teachers every day in Texas. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated last year that there were 16,540 substitute teachers in the Greater Houston area alone.

In Texas, state officials set some minimum standards for who can be a substitute or guest teacher, and districts can set additional background and training requirements for substitute teachers they hire.

Here’s what you need to know about how school districts make hiring decisions and train replacements.

How do I become a substitute teacher?

To become a substitute teacher, applicants must select the school district in which they will work.

After applying, applicants must be fingerprinted and undergo a state-run background check that looks at criminal history and court convictions, among other things. Under Texas law, a substitute teacher cannot be hired if a teacher’s certification is revoked or suspended.

Additionally, school districts typically have more requirements for substitute teacher applicants.

Typically, applicants must have a high school or GED diploma. Most school districts give preference to candidates with a bachelor’s degree or teaching certification.

Some school districts require applicants to have at least some college hours. Pasadena ISD requires substitute teachers to complete at least 30 semester hours of college instruction (equivalent to completing one year of college). Spring and Houston ISDs require at least 48 hours of college credit, while Aldine ISD applicants must earn 60 hours of college credit if they do not have a teaching certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree. there is.

What training do substitute teachers receive?

State law does not require subs to receive any special training, but most school districts require subs to attend orientation sessions, where they learn the basics of instruction, classroom organization, and classroom management, among other things.

Some school districts, such as Pasadena ISD, also require substitutes to complete behavior management training at their own pace. Conroe ISD requires subs to complete a series of online safety classes within 60 days of their hire date. Each year, Humble ISD requires all employees, including substitutes, to complete a compliance course on school safety, district policy, child abuse and other topics.

Some school districts require subs to work a minimum number of days per month throughout the school year in order to continue receiving assignments.

How much do substitute teachers get paid?

In some districts, pay rates vary depending on the sub’s education and certification level.

In Spring ISD, certified teachers receive $105 per day and non-certified teachers receive $90. New Aldine subs receive $116 per day if they are certified, $105 if they have a bachelor’s degree but are not certified, and $100 if they do not have a bachelor’s degree.

Subs typically do not receive pay, benefits, or compensation on days they are not assigned to a classroom. In some districts, submariners are given paid time off if they serve on extended duty. For example, HISD gives you one paid personal day for every 20 consecutive days you work.

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