Legislation from 78th District state Representative Brad Paquette aims to address a shortage of substitute teachers in Michigan by loosening the requirements someone has to meet in order to be a sub. Paquette tells WSJM News, right now, you need 60 college credits to be a substitute. His bill would drop that requirement for those who have a relative attending the school where they want to sub.
“I think a lot of parents that could be involved aren’t able to be in the classroom because of that college credit piece, and I know there’s a big push toward this CTE career and college readiness aspect, and I”ll say that we have so much wisdom sitting on the sidelines not in our classroom,” Paquette said.
Paquette says the school would have to approve, and the sub would have to pass a background check.
“The one big concern that people have is they think that this bill is somehow going to replace teachers that are actually certified to teach content, but that is not at all what it is. It’s about increasing the likelihood that good things happen when the teacher is out.”
Paquette tells us when he was a Spanish teacher, he had trouble finding substitute teachers for his classes, even though he would meet family of students who were fluent and could have helped. He says his bill widens the pool of people who could be chosen.
