Changes for Substitute Teaching?

Missouri could lower the requirements to become a K-12 substitute teacher. To help alleviate a substitute shortage, State Representative Ed Lewis proposes reducing the required college credit hours from 60 to 36. Lewis of northern Missouri’s Moberly has been a teacher for more than 30 years. During a House education committee hearing Tuesday, he says his bill would also make permanent a 20-hour online training course for substitute teacher candidates.

Next month, the Missouri Board of Education plans to consider making permanent the online training course option for subs. Last year, the board temporarily approved the training alternative to help with a teacher shortage during the pandemic.