Michigan has been actively searching for solutions to address the ongoing substitute teacher shortage. In 2021, the shortage was addressed with the signing of House Bill 4294 which temporarily allowed trusted staff members such as secretaries, paraprofessionals, and others to work as substitute teachers until the end of the school year.
A new bill has been proposed.
The new bill is causing quite a stir. It could change the requirements for substitute teachers in Michigan if it passes.
Anyone looking to become a substitute teacher must complete a minimum of 60 college credit hours. But House Bill 4549 aims to shake things up. If this bill gets approved, people at least 21 years old and who hold a high school diploma could step into the role of a substitute teacher, even without having a considerable number of college credits under their belt.
Anyone who is 18 years old or older could substitute teach.
Not only does House Bill 4549 potentially open substitute teaching to individuals aged 21 and above with a high school diploma, but it also extends opportunities to a wider range of aspiring educators. According to the proposed legislation, anyone 18 years old or older and currently enrolled in a teacher preparation program could become a substitute teacher for kindergarten through eighth-grade classrooms.
If passed, when will it go into effect?
If the bill is passed, these changes will be effective until the end of June 2025. The Bill has been passed on to the House Education Committee for further review.