The Kansas State Board of Education has unanimously approved an Emergency Declaration that allows individuals with no college education, but who meet other qualifications, to apply for a temporary license to work as a substitute teacher. The Declaration is intended to help solve the substitute teacher shortage caused by the COVID 19 pandemic.
Under the Emergency Declaration, candidates must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma. Individuals with a General Educational Development Diploma aren’t eligible. You must have a verified employment commitment from a district or system, be fingerprinted and pass a background check. Submit a completed application to the Department of Education.
Education Commissioner Randy Watson says he knows the idea is far from perfect, but the pandemic has stretched the teacher ranks and there are not enough licensed people to fill substitute roles. He called it a temporary solution to address an emergency need.
