SUBSTITUTE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

House Bill 4421 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Holly Hughes

Committee:  Education Reform

Complete to 4-19-17

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4421 would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1233) to expand the eligibility for substitute teachers to include individuals with expertise in a certain field who would be teaching in that field.

Generally, the Revised School Code requires all schools to ensure their teachers hold a valid teaching certificate (with an exception for schools and teachers in the Detroit Public Schools Community District, established July 1, 2016).  However, the board of a school district or intermediate school district (ISD) may employ a person who does not have a teaching certificate to serve as a substitute teacher as long as that person has at least 90 semester hours of college credit from a college or university. 

In addition to that exception, under HB 4421, a board could employ a person to be a substitute teacher in a subject matter or field in which the person has achieved expertise, as determined by the board, as long as the person either:  (1) holds a professional license or certification issued by Michigan in that same subject matter or field, or else (2) had previously held such a professional license or certification that had expired within two years before the start of the substitute teaching employment.  The person would have to have been in good standing immediately before the expiration of the license or certification.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact for the State and for local school districts, intermediate school districts (ISDs), or public school academies (PSAs).

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                               Fiscal Analysts:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Samuel Christensen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.