Each week, “Answer Key” aims to help families by responding to an important question about education and schools in Greater Houston. If you have a question for us to answer, 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?
Every day, countless students are taught by a substitute teacher in Texas. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated last year that there were 16,540 substitute teachers in the Greater Houston region alone.
In Texas, state officials set a few minimum standards for who can become a substitute or guest teacher, and each school district can set additional background and training requirements for subs they employ.
Here is what to know about how districts determine who to hire and the training substitutes go through.
How does someone become a substitute teacher?
To become a substitute teacher, applicants must pick a district for which to work.
Once they apply, applicants must undergo fingerprinting and a state-run background check, which reviews their criminal history and court convictions, among other things. Under Texas law, a substitute cannot be hired if their teacher certification has been revoked or suspended.
In addition, school districts typically set more requirements for substitute teacher applicants.
Typically, applicants must have a high school or GED diploma. Most districts prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree or teacher certification.
In some districts, applicants must have at least some college hours under their belt. Pasadena ISD requires at least 30 semester college hours, the equivalent of completing one year of college, for substitute teachers. Spring and Houston ISDs require at least 48 hours of college credits, while Aldine ISD applicants need to complete 60 hours if they don’t have a teacher certification, associates degree or bachelor’s degree.
What training does a substitute teacher undergo?
State law doesn’t require any particular training for subs, but most districts require them to attend orientation sessions, where they learn the basics of instruction, classroom organization and classroom management, among other topics.
Some districts, such as Pasadena ISD, will require substitutes to complete a behavioral management training at their own pace as well. In Conroe ISD, subs must complete a series of online safety classes within 60 days of their hiring date. Each year, Humble ISD requires all employees, including substitutes, to complete compliance courses regarding school safety, district policies, child abuse and other topics.
Some districts also require subs to work a minimum number of days per month throughout the school year to continue receiving assignments.
How much do substitute teachers get paid?
In some districts, pay rates depend on the sub’s education and certification level.
In Spring ISD, certified teachers earn $105 per day, while noncertified teachers receive $90. New subs in Aldine receive $116 per day if they’re certified, $105 if they have a bachelor’s degree but no certification, and $100 if they don’t have a bachelor’s degree.
Subs typically don’t receive a salary, benefits or compensation for days when they’re not assigned to classrooms. In some districts, subs receive paid time off if they work a long-term assignment. HISD, for example, gives one paid personal day for every 20 consecutive days worked.
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