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HCPSS / POLICIES

Policy 7130 – Substitute Teachers

The purpose of this policy is to designate the responsibility and establish the procedures for the employment and assignment of qualified substitute teacher personnel.

Policy Document

Implementation Procedures

I. Policy Value Statement

The Board of Education believes the selection and placement of qualified substitute teachers in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is essential to ensuring coverage of classrooms in the absence of regular teachers. The Board also believes the continuity of programs and curriculum implementation is essential and is affected by the competency of the substitute teachers placed in teaching assignments.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to designate the responsibility and establish the procedures for the employment and assignment of qualified substitute teacher personnel.

III. Standards

  1. Substitute teachers are expected to comply with all Board of Education policies. Substitute teachers are also expected to follow all school procedures, guidelines and directives when replacing the classroom teacher.

  2. Substitute teachers will be approved by the Temporary Services Office.

  3. Teachers will notify the Temporary Services Office’s automated substitute reporting and assignment system or a school administrator of an impending absence.

  4. All substitute assignments will be arranged by a request to the Temporary Services Office’s automated substitute reporting and assignment system.

  5. The Temporary Services Office will make every reasonable effort to provide a sufficient number of substitute teachers to meet the needs of the HCPSS.

  6. Substitute teachers may be removed from approved status or placed on a school’s “Do Not Use” list by the Executive Director of Human Resources/designee if situations warrant such action.

IV. Responsibilities

The Superintendent/designee will ensure that the provisions of this policy are followed.

V. Delegation of Authority

The Superintendent is authorized to develop appropriate procedures to implement this policy.

VI. Definitions

  1. Substitute Teacher – A person who meets the qualifications as defined by the Office of Human Resources and who has complied with all of the criteria for approval.

  2. Temporary Services Office – The office that is part of the Office of Human Resources whose staff is responsible for approving and hiring all substitute teachers and administering the automated substitute reporting and assignment system.

VII. References

A. Legal

  • Public Law 107-110 No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

B. Other Board Policies

C. Relevant Data Sources

D. Other

  • Master Agreement Between the Board of Education and the Howard County Education Association (HCEA)

  • Substitute Teacher Job Description

VIII. History

ADOPTED: December 10, 1974

REVIEWED:

MODIFIED: May 11, 2021

REVISED:

  • October 12, 1989

  • September 14, 1995

  • March 12, 2009

EFFECTIVE: May 11, 2021

Policy History Key

  • Adopted-Original date the Board took action to approve a policy
  • Reviewed-The date the status of a policy was assessed by the Superintendent’s Standing Policy Group
  • Modified-The date the Board took action to alter a policy that based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee did not require a comprehensive examination
  • Revised-The date the Board took action on a that policy based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee needed a comprehensive examination
  • Effective-The date a policy is implemented throughout the HCPSS, typically July 1 following Board action.