Long-Term Substitutes in Special Education
Long-Term Substitute Teachers in Special Education
In-Service Training for Long-Term Substitutes
Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, any substitute teacher employed to teach special education for the same assignment for more than fifteen (15) consecutive or thirty (30) total school days during a school year who does not hold a valid certificate to teach special education shall be required to complete in-service training as prescribed by the State Board of Education. The training shall be provided at no cost to the substitute teacher. Availability of certified teachers shall be determined after the school has consulted the State Board of Education and any other resources for filling the vacant position with a certified teacher.
LEA’s are required to submit contact information for any long-term substitute in a special education position using the form below. Once that information is submitted, Pepper account and Pepper course access will be set up, and the long-term substitute notified (in 2-4 business days). Pepper courses are self-paced, and upon successful completion of all required course components, the system will issue a completion certificate.
The long-term substitute is required to give the completion certificate to the LEA contact. No assignments will be made until the individual is hired for a long-term substitute position (i.e., individuals may not be signed up before being employed as a long-term substitute). Special education teachers who are alternatively certified may also complete the online training.
Length of Employment
No substitute teacher shall be employed for a total period above one hundred thirty-five (135) school days during a school year, or one hundred forty-five (145) school days during the school year if the substitute teacher holds a lapsed or expired certificate or has a bachelors level college degree; or no limit of school days during the school year if the substitute teacher holds a valid certificate.
Each school district shall adopt a policy that sets forth the maximum number of days a substitute teacher may be employed for the same assignment if the substitute teacher does not hold a valid certificate.
Substitute teachers who do not hold a valid certificate and who are employed to teach special education for students with physical disabilities or students with intellectual disabilities are not subject to the restrictions on total time a substitute teacher may be employed if no certified teachers are available to teach such students and the students would be denied instruction in special education if the substitute teacher were not employed.
Availability of certified teachers shall be determined after the school has consulted the State Board of Education and any other resources for filling the vacant position with an accredited teacher.
A school district may request a waiver of the restrictions on total time a substitute teacher may be employed from the State Board of Education for a substitute teacher who does not hold a valid certificate. The school district shall submit evidence on the availability of certified substitute teachers and the qualifications of the substitute teacher. The Board shall develop procedures for the filing and processing of substitute teacher waivers according to this subsection.
Limitations of Long-Term Substitute
School districts who choose to use a Long-Term Substitute should be aware of the limitations of the long-term substitute. Upon completion of the long-term sub modules, the substitute can provide instruction and assign grades in all subject areas in a special education setting. The Long-Term Substitute cannot serve as the special education Teacher of Record (TOR). This means the Long-Term Substitute cannot carry a caseload in EDPlan. However, the Long-Term Substitute may be listed as a team member in EDPlan. The Long-Term Substitute cannot draft or develop the IEP. However, the Long-Term Substitute may give input to the development of the IEP. The Long-Term Substitute cannot sign the IEP as the special education teacher. However, the Long-Term Substitute may participate in the IEP meeting and sign as a team member.
LEA’s are required to submit contact information for any long-term substitute teacher in a special education position. Follow these procedures to recommend a candidates to participation in the modules.
Limitations and Allowances for Long-Term Substitute Teachers in Special Education
Long-Term Substitute Teachers May:
1. Complete the modules in PEPPER or OkConnect
2. Provide instruction and assign grades in all subject areas in a special education setting
3. May be listed as a team member on the IEP team and in EdPlan
4. May offer or give input to the development of the IEP
Long-Term Substitute Teachers May Not:
1. Serve as the special education teacher-of-record (TOR) or carry a caseload in EdPlan
2. Draft or develop an IEP
3. Sign the IEP as the special education teacher-of-record
4. Participate in the IEP meeting and sign the IEP as a team member
A district Superintendent or Human Resources Officer may recommend a candidate for the module by emailing Carolyn Thomas with the attached form.
