Two education bills introduced by state Sen. Jessica Garvin will try to solve the teacher shortage issue that has plagued Oklahoma the past several years.
Garvin (R-Duncan) has filed legislation to help adjunct and highly qualified substitute teachers fill the classroom void. Senate Bill 1119 would remove the 270-hour limitation adjunct teachers may teach per semester in a classroom. At the same time, she introduced Senate Bill 1144 that allow substitute teachers with a valid, lapsed, or expired teacher’s certificate or a bachelor’s degree to work as many days as needed.
The lawmaker’s bills already have received support from state House members who want to be co-authors.
Increasing pay and other recent changes haven’t ended the teacher shortage, Garvin said. As a result, she wants to examine other assets in Oklahoma to help solve this critical problem. Garvin called the current substitute teacher policies “outdate.” She believes local school boards should be given more authority for hiring substitutes.
“Given that many districts are still struggling to fill essential teaching positions, being able to rely on local professionals to share their expertise in the classroom as well as former teachers or individuals with degrees to substitute has been a lifesaver. My bills will ensure these professionals can work as many hours as they’re needed and willing to.”
Adjunct teachers are educators who have distinguished qualifications in their field, such as accountants or journalists. They do not have to meet the standard certification requirements given their professional background but can be authorized by the local school board to teach a subject related to their field of expertise.
“There are arbitrary numbers out there and we are in a crisis for substitutes and teachers in general,” Garvin said. “School boards know who they need to be hiring. Why are we limiting them?”
Wayne Superintendent Toby Ringwald agrees that school districts need the flexibility of using as many non-certified and adjunct teachers as possible when COVID-like situations arise.
“Anything that puts control back at the local level helps,” he said. “Cutting some of these strings or limitations is also beneficial. We need to be able to make those decisions. I’m all in favor of getting rid of some of this red tape.”
Ringwald is part of a group of educators who meets monthly with Garvin and provides input on educational issues. The Wayne superintendent said his district has used adjunct teachers and certified and non-certified substitutes.
According to the Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA), the number of adjunct teachers in Oklahoma schools has increased annually from around 175 during the 2015-2016 school year to more than 400 last year. The State Board of Education has also approved more than 3,600 emergency certifications this school year.
Garvin believes removing restrictions on certain substitute teachers may also help Oklahoma schools. Currently, substitute teachers with a lapsed or expired certificate or a bachelor’s degree cannot work more than 145 days during a school year while those without such a certificate or degree can only work up to 135 school days. There is no limit on how many days a substitute can work if they hold a valid teaching certificate.
Lawton Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Hime believes good substitute teachers shouldn’t be penalized for their excellence in the classroom.
“If you have a good sub, you want that sub to teach as long as possible,” he said. “Adjuncts also have a place in the district.”
Lawton schools had such a difficult time with substitute teachers that the school board decided to hire a company that deals with substitutes.
“We just started doing this so I don’t have any report card on it,” Hime said. “I think both of her (Garvin’s) bills are good. They’re not a home run, but sometimes you have to hit a few singles before you hit it out of the park. Both bills will help us.”
Sometimes, Hime said, the best substitute teachers do not have college degrees and are not certified to teach.
“What about the 40-year-old soccer mom who just wants to substitute teach. Sometimes, they end up being the best subs,” he said.
Under SB 1144, substitute teachers who do not have a valid, lapsed, or expired certificate or a bachelor’s degree would be prohibited from teaching the same course or grade-level class for more than 10 consecutive school days unless the school district is granted a waiver from the State Board of Education. The measure also directs school district board of education policies regarding substitute teachers to include the required qualifications and their pay rate.
Both bills introduced by Garvin will be considered when the Oklahoma Legislature convenes Feb. 7.