House Approves O’Neill Bill to Address PA Substitute Teacher Shortage
HARRISBURG — The House of Representatives today voted to approve legislation, authored by Rep. Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks), which would address the substitute teacher shortage currently facing many school districts across the Commonwealth.
“Like many other states across the nation, Pennsylvania is facing a shortage of substitute teachers. This issue was brought to my attention as one currently facing several Bucks County schools,” said O’Neill, a former teacher with more than 25 years of classroom experience.
House Bill 1039 would allow public schools, including school districts, area vocational-technical schools and intermediate units, to employ uncertified individuals as substitute teachers in the event certified substitute teachers are unavailable. Prior to hiring an uncertified substitute teacher, the public school entity must make a bona fide effort to employ a certified individual.
Under O’Neill’s legislation, the potential substitute teacher must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, be of good moral character, be a U.S. citizen, and he or she must satisfy the statutory criminal history and employment history background check requirements.
“My bill would permit a qualified individual, with knowledge of the curriculum, to teach the class for a few days,” O’Neill said. “This could be an excellent opportunity for children to learn about a subject they are studying from someone who currently works or has worked in that field. After meeting certain requirements, the school board ultimately has the authority to decide which candidates are best qualified to sub.”
House Bill 1039 now awaits consideration by the Senate.
Representative Bernie O’Neill
29th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
RepONeill.com