To help alleviate s statewide shortage of teachers, the Kansas Board of Education voted to temporarily lower the standards for substitute teachers.

Anyone looking to teach temporarily can apply for a Temporary Emergency Authorized License. This emergency license would only let people teach until June 1.

“Although this is far from an ideal or perfect solution, we have to offer relief to Kansas teachers and schools,” said Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson. “The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched our teacher ranks thin, and there simply aren’t enough licensed individuals to fill substitute roles when our educators are sick or otherwise have to be out of the classroom. This is nothing more than a temporary solution to address an emergency need.”

After June 1, people would again have to meet the higher standards typically required. There is typically a minimum requirement of 60 semester credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university in order to obtain an emergency substitute license. The emergency declaration would remove this minimum requirement for the TEAL. However, candidates must:

• Meet the minimum age requirement of 18.
• Have a high school diploma. Individuals with a general educational development (GED) diploma/certificate aren’t eligible.
• Have a verified employment commitment from a district or system.
• Be fingerprinted and pass a background check.
• Submit a completed application to KSDE.

This change was unanimously approved at a Board of Education meeting Wednesday morning.