Rule 160-5-1-.05. Substitute Teachers

1. (1) Definitions.

   1. (a) Substitute teacher - an individual employed to serve in the absence of the regularly employed teacher. The term substitute teacher also applies to a person temporarily employed to teach a class that does not have a regular teacher.
   2. (b) Substitute teacher list - a prioritized list based on qualifications of persons approved by the local unit of administration or its designee to serve as substitute teachers.

2. (2) Requirements.

   1. (a) Each local unit of administration shall maintain and employ from a substitute teacher list.
   2. (b) Priority shall be given to persons with the highest qualifications as determined by the Professional Standards Commission.
   3. (c) A substitute teacher having qualifications lower on the priority list may be employed if that person has performed effectively on previous occasions and/or has the appropriate in-field expertise.
   4. (d) Any classroom teacher absence or vacancy that lasts 46 or more consecutive days in a school year shall be filled with a certified in-field teacher, except in situations where longer periods of time are required by state or federal law.
   5. (e) Substitute teachers who hold only a high school diploma or GED certificate shall not work in any one classroom more than 10 consecutive school days.
   6. (f) School leadership personnel shall ensure that instructional leadership and classroom management are maintained by the substitute to assure minimal interruption of student progress.
   7. (g) All substitute teachers employed by the system have received appropriate training as prescribed by the Professional Standards Commission.

Authority: O.C.G.A. Secs. 20-2-216, 20-2-240.

History. Original Rule entitled "Substitute Teachers" adopted F. Nov. 30, 1990; eff. Dec. 20, 1990.

Amended: F. Jan. 25, 1994; eff. Feb. 14, 1994.