Minimum requirements to sub

Discussion in 'Substitute Teachers Archives' started by TamiJ, Jan 10, 2009.

  1. TamiJ

    TamiJ Virtuoso

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    Reading some of the posts have made me wonder what the different requirements to sub in the different districts/states are. I am also wondering if this might have something to do with there being a surplus of subs in some states/or areas, and a shortage in others.

    I don't know if this is a state requirement here in Ca, but every district that I have ever seen for CA requires that subs have a BA degree, have a 30-day substitute teacher credential, and have passed the CBest test. I know that some states don't require their subs to have a BA degree, and I am wondering if that might contribute to the surplus of subs in those areas. In my area, we have a shortage of subs. I have been called to sub everyday this week except Tuesday (only took one job), and I think our shortage stems from the fact that we subs are so underpaid for people with college degrees. If you break down what we make per hour, it comes out to only about $15/hour for most districts here, a little higher in other districts about an hour from where I am.
     
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  3. myownwoman

    myownwoman Habitué

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    Hey TamiJ, I am also from CA and I think there's a shortage in the districts I am currently subbing in.
     
  4. TamiJ

    TamiJ Virtuoso

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    I wonder if that's the case all throughout CA. Do you get called a lot to sub?
     
  5. myownwoman

    myownwoman Habitué

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    I get my jobs online and so far I have worked at least 3 days a week. I have signed up to sub in 4 other districts, so hopefully I will be working every day.

    How about you?
     
  6. TeacherGroupie

    TeacherGroupie Moderator

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    BA plus CBEST plus fingerprints is the state requirement for substitutes in California. One of the big urban districts near here requires that and apparently is chronically short of subs (or at least of good ones).

    Some suburban districts near here require subs to be in credential programs or to possess full credentials. They're not short of subs. On the other hand, they're less a nuisance to work for.
     
  7. TamiJ

    TamiJ Virtuoso

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    I was called to sub everyday except Tuesday. I only accepted one call, though, for a couple of reasons. I am employed with 4 districts, and one of them starts back up from break on Monday.
     
  8. myownwoman

    myownwoman Habitué

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    I hope you get lots of calls TamiJ!
     
  9. TamiJ

    TamiJ Virtuoso

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    Thanks, MOW. I hope the same for you... :O)
     
  10. PCdiva

    PCdiva Connoisseur

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    My district requires New York State Certification to sub, a couple of other districts in the area only require a BA degree but the pay is like half.
     
  11. ute.girl

    ute.girl Rookie

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    The district I worked in last year (in California) had a shortage of subs. It was not uncommon for a teacher to have no sub. The students got distributed among willing teachers of all grade levels. That didn't happen in the other district I worked in.
     
  12. PCdiva

    PCdiva Connoisseur

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    Wow I couldnt imagine having to split students up on a regular basis when there were no subs, talk about all the students being on a different page.
     
  13. ute.girl

    ute.girl Rookie

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    It was horrible. I would hear about what great "helpers" my students were in 1st and 2nd grade classrooms.

    All of my sub plans (which I would spend a couple hours on - when I was sick, I came in to make sub plans) were wasted and everything got pushed back a day.
     
  14. TamiJ

    TamiJ Virtuoso

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    Holy crow! I would hate that.
     
  15. PCdiva

    PCdiva Connoisseur

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    That happened ONCE in my district last year and it was only for 2 hours until they could get someone to come in bc the sub had gotten into a car accident on the way. I took an extra 13 5th graders into my classroom, they had to sit on the carpet and just do the work we were doing- I thought it was horrible, at least it was the same grade!
     
  16. TamiJ

    TamiJ Virtuoso

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    At least that only happened once... That's a good thing..
     
  17. elizak83

    elizak83 Companion

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    In my county subs have to have 30 credit hours of college courses...a county nearby just requires a high school diploma. Where I grew up (PA) you had to have a degree in education.

    I was out sick on Friday...my teammate reported that my sub was just sitting there and the kids were running around like crazy when she went in to make sure everything was okay..and evidently during math she just "sat there" also. (Normally my kids are well behaved..but I run a tight ship...I have to reteach everything on Monday:( )


    **Not to bash subs..I was a sub once..and normally when I plan ahead I have awesome subs! This one just didnt speak any English and couldn't read my plans :(
     
  18. PCdiva

    PCdiva Connoisseur

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    eli, that is bazaar! I can't believe they would hire subs with only 30 credits of college- thats one year...there must be a shortage in your area. I would never want to be absent if I were you!
     
  19. myownwoman

    myownwoman Habitué

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    Wow that is really an unstable learning environment for the kids.
     
  20. TamiJ

    TamiJ Virtuoso

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    Eli,
    That is horrible! Why doesn't the sub speak English? What does she speak?? Why in the world would they hire someone who cannot speak English???
     
  21. myownwoman

    myownwoman Habitué

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    Maybe they are really short on subs?

    Just guessing...
     
  22. TamiJ

    TamiJ Virtuoso

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    That's just doing a great disservice to those kiddos... Not fair...
     
  23. elizak83

    elizak83 Companion

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    Evidently she could speak English (I found out more today...) but she can't READ English...so she couldn't read my plans. The office apologized and said she is one of their "weaker" subs...but yes there is a shortage in this area....it's almost like if you have a pulse you can sub:(
     
  24. JadeCrane

    JadeCrane Comrade

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    eliza how much do your subs get per day - do you know?
     
  25. elizak83

    elizak83 Companion

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    It's about 120/day I believe...at least from when I subbed. (I graduated in Dec. and subbed until I got a job.)
     
  26. TamiJ

    TamiJ Virtuoso

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    That's pretty good pay for a sub. Still, not being able to read? I understand being desperate for subs, but come on! That's just ridiculous!
     
  27. JadeCrane

    JadeCrane Comrade

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    Wow - that is good! Sure wish I got a little more. We get $80.
     
  28. BioTeal

    BioTeal Rookie

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    Silly question that doesn't merit it's own thread: If you're in driving distance of multiple districts, and just starting out subbing (in CA) should you just choose one district to apply for their pool, or can 2 pools be juggled at a time?
     
  29. sunshine*inc

    sunshine*inc Cohort

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    I would submit an application to more than one district if you're looking to sub every day. I am currently on the sub list in 2 districts, though I sub most of the time in only one of the districts.
     
  30. Suburban Gal

    Suburban Gal (formerly Elizabeth) Banned

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    To sub in IL, you MUST have a Bachelor's degree and your trancripts MUST be on file. Not copies, but originals. You must also agree to fingerprinting at the county ROE (Regional Office of Education) and pay a total of $50 ($40 to process the application for certification and $20 to register it in the county you wish to sub in). CPS (Chicago Public Schools) is a little different. You need to have actual teacher certification for CPS and agree to a SubAssessment from the Substitute Teaching Institute in Utah. I believe you need to pay for the matierials yourself and receive a passing score in order to be eligible to sub for CPS. Everything else applies. Your trancripts MUST be on file, you MUST agree to be fingerprinted at the county ROE, and pay a total of $50.

    I think there is a surplus of subs here. We're the "hub" of the country and everyone wants to live and work here.
     
  31. elizak83

    elizak83 Companion

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    She reads some other language..she speaks in broken English. My students were complaining that they didn't understand her when she tried to give some directions. (We still went over appropriate behavior for subs....evidently my principal had to drop by because it was ridiculous in my room. :( ....but I have 31 students...I can imagine it is overwhelming if you cant read my plans I guess!)
     
  32. myownwoman

    myownwoman Habitué

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    Wow that is awful! How could she interpret the lesson plans AND teach if she cannot read English? The kids are not understanding her, and they are obviously not learning a thing. I understand if they are acting out their frustrations on the teacher and you.

    I am signed up to sub in 2 districts, but so far I have been working almost every day in just 1 district. The HR director said that this districts really needs subs. It seems they have a shortage.
     
  33. Chem Chick

    Chem Chick New Member

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    In Arizona, you need a Bachelor's degree, a fingerprint card, and $60.
     

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