Systems search for cheaper subs than substitute teachers
Often the brunt of jokes in teen movies and children’s books, substitute teachers are now feeling the brunt of the recession. The AJC has a good story on the decline in both the use of subs and in what they’re paid.
In her story, reporter Nancy Badertscher notes that some systems are reducing their reliance on subs by asking the colleagues of sick teachers to help. One South Georgia system is even turning to volunteers, from retired teachers to the mayor.
The story states:
In Fulton, officials expect to save $960,321 this year, with the 10 percent cut in pay for substitute teachers, said Allison Toller, school system spokeswoman. The county’s subs are now earning $83.70 a day, down from $93 a day, Tollar said, noting that other full-time employees have also experienced a loss in pay “due to a decrease in days on their contracts.”
“Categories of full-time employees also experienced a loss in pay due to a decrease in days on their contracts,” she said.
Marietta City Schools expect a sizable savings as well in their budget for substitute teachers.
Late last year, school administrators decided to eliminate most subs for early intervention teachers (EIP) and Title I, gifted and English as a Second Language classes, as well as its media specialists.
When teachers in those subjects are absent, the students stay with their homeroom teachers, and coverage is provided in the media center by a paraprofessional, said Debra Pickett, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
“It has been a cost effective measure,” Pickett said. “We received no negative feedback from parents or teachers.” The system saved about $77,000 on substitutes between January and June of this year , said Thomas Algarin, district spokesman.
School systems receive about $19 a day from the state for each of the eight sick days most teachers accrue in a year, according to the state Department of Education. The fee hasn’t changed in decades, even though it costs about $50 a day to hire a substitute teacher and more in the metro counties.
In the Brantley County school system, headquartered in the small South Georgia town of Nahunta, officials said they expect to cut in half their $200,000-a-year bill for substitutes by deploying some of their paraprofessionals, or classroom aides, as stand-ins for absent teachers.
When parapros aren’t available, other full-time teachers are giving up their planning periods so no classrooms go unsupervised, said Dr. Drew Sauls, school superintendent.
“It’s not popular, you understand,” he said. “But teachers understand the situation.”
The story notes that the chamber of commerce in Valdosta has lined up about 35 volunteers for subs. (The folks must pass criminal background checks.)
One of them was Valdosta Mayor John Fretti, who has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He taught 11th grade chemistry and physical science class at Valdosta High and told the AJC: “This was not a celebrity substitute…It was truly an adventure for me, and I hope for the students. I had a blast and would do it again in a minute.”
The volunteer sub program offers a double reward; it saves money and increases public involvement and awareness of the classroom.
Any reactions or concerns to this change?
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28 comments Add your comment
Sarah
November 2nd, 2009
10:45 am
Teachers covering others classes happen all the time. I ended up with two classes in my room this morning and will have others after my planning time. I understand the reason, but when I have to change my lesson plans at the last minute, I am not a happy teacher.
Joy in Teaching
November 2nd, 2009
11:41 am
My principal has told us that we need to be prepared to cover classes during planning without any notice whatsover. She has mentioned that she needs to cut down on substitutes in the building in order to save money.
Lately, I’ve been covering at least 2 classes a week. NONE of the classes I have covered have been due to sickness of the teacher: it’s because they are in a meeting elsewhere in the building, are busy working on FTE counts or scheduling, doing “common planning,” or any number of things that they have do because of the mandates of NCLB.
Covering another teacher’s class during planning wouldn’t bother me so much if the teacher were seriously ill or had family issues as I’m a fairly compassionate person. But to have to do it so that the school meets some sort of mandate imposed by a government that doesn’t bother to fully fund that mandate?
Frankly, it sucks. Not only do the Georgia legislature and our beloved Governor have a hatred about teacher planning and preparation, but apparently the county office and my principal do as well.
V for Vendetta
November 2nd, 2009
11:47 am
Joy in Teaching’s scenario is FAR more common than subs for sick teachers. True, teachers do get sick and subs are required to fill the gap, but lately it seems as though I am out of the classroom for inane BS more than I am for myself (or my children).
Str8 Off Candler Rd
November 2nd, 2009
12:32 pm
Joy in teaching- Would you have a problem if you were a teacher being called out to help the principal?
Joy in Teaching
November 2nd, 2009
12:57 pm
@ Str8 Off Candler Rd
Actually, I would have a problem with being called out to “help the principal.” I enjoy teaching very much. I like the interaction with my students…and, if given the opportunity to plan, I do my job very well. Unfortunately, NONE of the things that teachers are called out to do have anything whatsoever to do with teaching or helping kids improve in any way and are more of the “helping the school cover their butt” type of thing due to the excessive amount of paperwork being heaped on us by NCLB.
My principal makes double what I do. She also leaves before I do each day. I don’t have a problem at all with her actually doing her own job instead of relying on others to help out with it.
By the way…as I type this, I am covering yet another class. It’s a science class where the kids are reading and answering questions. Where is the teacher? Not sick…but in a meeting.
Johnny Too Good
November 2nd, 2009
1:12 pm
Who would volunteer to be a substitute? Its hard enough to get folks in there for pay
Cobb County Parent
November 2nd, 2009
1:49 pm
The 800 pound elephant in the room needs to be discussed as well. Did you know that many of these free subs (parents) are not having a background check run on them? Paid subs have to undergo that check, but volunteers do not. I see several issues with this, but Cobb County seems to think that the financial savings are worth the risk.
mift
November 2nd, 2009
2:15 pm
Maureen,
I wish you would take this symptom of inadequately funding schools to a bigger perspective. How doe GA rank when you look at how other states fund schools? How can it be fair to a kid in south GA to have an education based on $4,000 a year and another kid in APS have access to a $12,000 education? Why does the state kick in so little to a student’s total education (only a small portion comes from state FTE)?
Maureen Downey
November 2nd, 2009
2:38 pm
Mift, This Census report places us 23rd in spending. http://www.census.gov/govs/school/.
Maureen
SallyB
November 2nd, 2009
2:45 pm
Once again….the cuts are coming in exactly the wrong places!
This point has been made on this blog and others ad infinitum.
Everyone understands the need to cut the budget from time to time.
However, the VERY LAST cuts should be those people who have daily contact with the students.
Every metro county has an overstuffed, over indulged, over paid group of county office people who rarely, if ever, have contact with students and rarely, if ever, have a positive influence on teachers or students!
By the way, I used to tell my middle school students that there are two things I will never do…not for a million dollars…..be a substitute teacher and/or a school bus driver. I have great respect for those who do both well, though!
mift
November 2nd, 2009
2:50 pm
Yes, Maureen- if you account for the “average” amount spent per pupil from all sources of funding but the state of GA only funds schools at a very minimum level with the rest coming from local tax dollars. In most metro district the percentage is in the 40 that comes from the state. This mean2 that small district without a large tax base have to educate students on essentially the portion the state supplies. We may spend at ranking 23 as an average but many students in the state fall way down that ladder on the ranking because of the shortage of local taxes.
Northview (Ex) Teacher
November 2nd, 2009
2:54 pm
Hey Ashley Widener,
How about a pay cut for right-wing special interest mongers like you and your husband?
Google Widener Associates to see who Ashley represents. Think she gives a crap about kids and their educations?
Maureen Downey
November 2nd, 2009
2:56 pm
Mift, I agree. Certainly, the districts that attempted to sue the state also agree. I think we all know that the quality of children’s education depends a lot on their ZIP code. If kids live in a progressive community willing to tax itself above and beyond the basics, they enjoy great educational opportunities. If children are unlucky enough to live in a community that lacks either the local resources or the local will to underwrite good schools, they will get a second- or third-rate education.
The funding shortage in rural areas is compounded by the many tax exemptions granted by the Legislature over the years to the agri-business and timber companies that dominate rural areas. Those large landowners often fight hard against local property taxes, as do property owners whose children have grown and left home or who attend private school.
I think the Legislature could help address this funding imbalance if it so chose.
Maureen
Look to the East?
November 2nd, 2009
3:08 pm
I know some people are tired of being compared to the Asian countries, but in Japan, they rarely use subs. At the elementary level, they do have at least one “master” teacher who does not have a homeroom assignment. So, when there is a teacher missing, s/he will cover the class. If there is a second teacher missing, a vice principal may cover the class. Even a principal will occasionally cover for the missing teacher. The administrators in Japan have 15+ years of teaching experiences and established the reputation as exemplary teachers. So, they don’t mind going into classrooms. For classroom teachers, they try very hard to prepare their classes for those days when they have to be out – I would, too, if I know that my principal may be subing in my classrooms.
mift
November 2nd, 2009
3:37 pm
Maureen,
Check out these figures from 2008. http://www.cta.org/NR/rdonlyres/35098CAB-729F-4436-B2D5-AC8A1AD8CFEE/0/CAPerPupilFunding47thRankingChartQC20091909.pdf.
Over 2/3 of GA schools educate students below the level of Utah. $18 for subs- zero money for technology- a small percentage of transportation costs- a fraction of the healthcare costs. It all adds up to make no mistake why we fail our kids in GA.
TuckeredOut
November 2nd, 2009
5:55 pm
The points you are making about the use and quality of subs are right on target but I think many are overlooking the bigger story. That concerns the use of paraprofessionals. Many school sytems in the metro area realize a great benefit from the number of college educated persons available to work as a “parapro.” A walk through a lot of these schools reveal the use, and mis-use, of many paraprofessionals and other Education Suppport Personnel (ESP’S). In some instances paraprofessionals are as well educated, graduate degrees are common, as their certified colleagues. Instructional paraprofessionals, and other ESP’s, manage classrooms, assist with curriculum delivery, and interact with adminstrators, parents and family members at levels not normally appreciated by the general public.
You would think that this pool of experienced classroom practitioners as a good source to attract qualified individuals aware of, and committed to, common goals of educational excellence. You would think that programs abound targeting this pool with encouragement, support, and incentives. But you would be wrong on both points.
Paraprofessionals will continue to used as “trench troops” in the war in education. More responsibility and greater participation in what were formerly exclusive areas reserved for certified educators. The system and process for the certification of teachers could be improved to make the transition from ESP to certified educator more effective. A revision of the process of the teaching practicum, where students must work in a classroom setting for up to three-months, that necessitates un-paid leave, or outright unemployment, would also help.
FulCo teach
November 2nd, 2009
7:36 pm
Amen to TO on the parapros issue – we have LOTS of paras who are very well-educated working for the group health insurance (often spouses are self-employed) and to improve the schools in their neighborhoods. Abuse them and lose them, especially after their kids are older and they can earn a LOT more than $18K.
On the sub issue: this has been going on for more than a year in some districts outside metro ATL. It is KILLING teacher morale, along with the furloughs, loss of county supplements, and increased demands for “collaborative meetings,” AYP lectures by administrators who never worked as teachers at the level they now “manage,” etc. (Oh, yes, and staffing cutbacks for teachers but NOT administrators.
On the issue of QBE: I happen to live in a school district that pays into QBE rather than benefits from it. I have a MAJOR problem with schools in my district having less administrative support than systems which receive QBE. Why should part of the property tax I pay go to another system that can then (apparently) afford to hire twice as many administrators (and secretaries) as my system? Why do these systems appear to believe that paying supplements for 17 coaches for football is appropriate while they max out class sizes and don’t pay for subs for teachers? I believe it is appropriate to expect leveling of the field, but in the classroom – NOT on the sports field or principal’s office!
catlady
November 2nd, 2009
8:07 pm
I hear this is coming where I live. Our subs are generally high school graduates. (We used to not require that). We have some with a little college, and a few with degrees. They generally don’t last long. I think they make about sixty dollars.
Maybe we should just send the kids home when the teacher is out. Then, parents might be less likely to send sick kids to school to make the rest of us sick.
I use every moment of my 35 planning minutes to prepare for the class coming next. I use the time before and after school (the few days there is not a meeting) to plan for the other SIX classes.
I know our high school/middle school is going to HATE going back to 50 minute planning periods when we drop block. I have hoped they would keep their block and send the teachers down to the elementary level to serve as Tier 3 and 4 teachers for RTI for half their daily planning time. Our county is small enough to do it. I mean, if we are going to get the maximum bang for the buck. And the middle/high school teachers might get some perspective about WHY they have illiterate students come up to them.
anyone can teach
November 2nd, 2009
9:07 pm
The fact that subs are required to have only a few post-high school education is an indication of the belief (or the fact?) that anyone can teach. It just requires someone else to create a plan.
plc
November 2nd, 2009
9:57 pm
Anyone can teach,
Yes, anyone can teach. The planning doesn’t require much, anyone can get students to do work they could care less about, and anyone can grade with feedback so the students learn even when they mess up.
That’s exactly why I was emailing co-workers just HOURS after giving birth to make sure my kids were set to take their EOCTs.
Because anyone can handle them just as well as I can after a bachelors, a masters, and several other certifications.
ILoveToSub
November 2nd, 2009
11:55 pm
I subbed for 4 years in elementary and the last three in middle school. I LOVE substitute teaching. I am a single parent with a special needs child, and substituting allows me many advantages: I work the same hours as my daughter is in school; I often sub in her same grade, so I see the classwork and homework that she will have; I can relate very well to her teachers because I have a good understanding of the job challenges they face; and I ENJOY middle schoolers! I don’t sub at my daughter’s school, but at others in the same county.
I have had plenty of work so far this semester, for which I am grateful. I can understand the desire of schools to trim their budgets, and I would expect principals to explore every option. I believe subs who have made the effort to meet and exceed expectations for their performance will continue to be in demand by local schools. This is certainly my goal. Without teachers, I wouldn’t have a job I enjoy, and let me say that 99.99% of the teachers for whom I have subbed have obviously made every effort to have everything completely prepared so that I can do my best for their students. It seems to me that one of the most difficult parts of the job of a full-time teacher is the getting prepared for, and then the catching back up from, having to be out.
Newton Teacher
November 3rd, 2009
6:39 am
We have been told not to call the subfinder if we are sick. Each deartment is responsible for getting the classes covered by giving up our planning periods. This amounts to “work for no pay”and makes long days even longer. What’s more is not every teacher shows up to cover and there has been no consequence as of yet. This is so unfair. And with the void in leadership we are already experiencing at NHS I feel I am riding on a ship that is sinking fast. Our core of experienced teachers with 18 or more years at NHS are all planning on seeking emloyment elswhere precisely due to this lack of direction.
anyone can teach
November 3rd, 2009
6:46 am
At HS level, it makes no sense to bring in someone with little content preparation to sub for content area specialists. How many subs can teach calculus even with a plan? It’s better to have teacher at teh same school cover for each other – for students. Of course, teachers don’t really care what/if their students learn.
Pastor Clarence Elebee
November 3rd, 2009
7:08 am
Today it seems as if the system expects to get more from less and good or great sucess from little effort. Most Subs are babysitters at most. There is always one student and his/her buddy that is going to try you. Grant it and they should try the spirit by the spirit. Our parents back in the day told us to respect the teacher and the preacher, but the system says anybody can do the job of the teacher and the preacher. I hope that you hope, to reap what you sow. The very things you but into your child, community and system are going to be the very things that control your/our tomorrow. I don’t mean to sound preachy, but unless we take a hard look at what we put teachers and our education system up against, we can give up being concerned about a Sub-teacher and how much money we can save. We lose the battle without putting up a fight at the front of this matter. Money, money, money, money. MONEY thats what we live for, and it has wiped the real reason for living out of our plans. We have more single parnents because of MONEY or the lack of it. Let’s put first things first and get back to the basic family mold. If we are to move forward with greatness, we must understand who we are. Let us LEARN that we will reap what we sow.
Singing to the Choir
November 3rd, 2009
3:36 pm
I think parents would be surprised to know how much time parent volunteers are watching kids in Cobb County. At least a couple of hours each week, then you have the days teachers spend working on report cards and attending team meetings. I know of several East Cobb ES that do all of this during the student school day. I understand the money issue, but when you are top heavy and know that more cuts are coming then you should cut administration not teachers. Teachers should teach, how else are we ever going to improve. I’m tired of hearing the excuses that the cuts come from the state, education has taken the smallest % of cuts, the cost per student is higher than many states – start teaching, cut the central offices, and stop whining.
catlady
November 3rd, 2009
4:12 pm
anyone can teach: I did not say they were able to do a good job. We have very few who do.
9th year teacher
November 11th, 2009
12:59 pm
I wish more teachers would respond to the citizens ignorance. Or maybe when you spend your days helping the youth become educated, it is hard to have the energy to educate the elders.
By the way, this state spend 7k per a pupil. The top education states spend well over 10k per a pupil.
Of course those states pay twice the amount on property taxes, compared to the fraction that we pay.
pale rider
November 21st, 2009
8:57 pm
Hey Purported (ex) Northview Teacher. Does the name William ring a bell. Ashley’s oldest brother holds a black belt in karate. To bad William didn’t get Bruce’s support in the election.