How to Become a Substiute Teacher - Requirements and Resources by State

Statistically, it is both a good and bad time to enter the field of substitute teaching. According to research from the Institute of Substitute Teachers at Utah State University, nearly 10% of all certified teachers in school systems across the country are absent on any given day. That amounts to well over 310,000 substitutes being needed. (2004 NEA Estimates of School Statistics) This equals out to each student spending a full year with a substitute by the time they graduate high school. It can be a burden trying to run a school efficiently if they do not have enough substitutes to fill this gap. These schools need helpful people like you willing to come in as guest educators.

The rise of teacher absences without proper replacements is the leading cause of low test scores. Many times the absences result in nothing more than a free period for the students instead of a day of learning. Without a teacher or replacement, students may be left with nothing but "quiet time". Too much "quiet time" and you have students falling behind in the classroom. Because of this trend, many states are relaxing their substitute teacher requirements. In the United States, only one state requires full teacher certification for their substitutes. More often, states are just trying to fill gaps any way possible. This is shown by the 28 states that simply require an applicant to be over the age of 18 and hold a high school diploma or GED. This lax of education policy is why the national pay average for a substitute teacher is a mere $65 per day. They receive no health insurance (unless they join a national substitute organization), and no other benefits. They will pay for their own lunches while at the school. Many times they will be called out during an assignment to help in another school project. There are simply too many absences for too few substitute teachers.