LANSING, Mich. — Michigan public schools can use non-teaching staff as substitute teachers the rest of the academic year under a law designed to address a shortage during the coronavirus pandemic.
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that she signed the bill last week, calling it a “temporary stopgap."
It lets secretaries, paraprofessionals and other school employees without a teaching certificate work as subs if they have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
Dr. Karen Sherwood, deputy superintendent at Holland Public Schools, says she supports the legislation.
"This very much needed relief is greatly appreciated and while only a temporary solution will hopefully allow our classrooms to have more consistent coverage," Sherwood said.
"This will benefit our students by not adding additional, unneeded stress to our current staff who oftentimes need to cover for teacher absences."
The Republican-sponsored legislation was approved by lawmakers on largely party lines.
Michigan generally requires subs to have an associate’s degree or at least 60 hours of college credit.
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