Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced that substitute teacher applicants need only 60 college credits, or an associate’s degree, to qualify for the position. Previously, applicants needed a bachelor’s degree.
With more substitute vacancies and student enrollment, it needs more substitute teachers, MCPS said. The changes are supposed to generate more substitutes in MCPS as well as more diverse teachers, and limit in-school class coverage. MCPS also wants to partner with local colleges and universities while student substitutes earn their degrees.
“MCPS received feedback from partners, including Montgomery College, the Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA), school-based staff, teachers, principals and employee associations,” the statement said.
MCPS was the only district in Maryland that required all substitute teachers to have a bachelor’s degree. Frederick, Howard and Prince George’s counties also require 60 college credits for applicants.
In March, the Board of Education adopted a resolution that asked Superintendent Jack Smith to review qualifications for substitute teachers and to recommend how to get more in MCPS.
In a memo to Board of Education members in July, Smith said MCPS was “in the process of updating substitute teacher qualifications” to 60 college credits.
