Question: My substitute teacher has a short-term substitute license from the DPI because she completed a training program and has an associate’s degree. However, during my choice audit, the auditor flagged that teacher, saying she needed to have a bachelor’s degree. I thought state law allowed a teacher to have a license OR bachelor’s degree.
Answer: Yes, you’re correct. State law allows for a teacher in a choice school to have a license from the DPI or a bachelor’s degree. However, the short-term substitute license isn’t considered a license in state law. It’s legally a permit. And since it’s not considered a license, it doesn’t meet the teacher credential requirements of the choice program. Therefore, your substitute teacher still needs a bachelor’s degree in the absence of a license.
This is what the DPI publishes in its credential bulletin:
13) Does a short-term substitute permit issued by DPI meet the requirement for teachers or substitute teachers?
A short-term substitute teacher permit (also referred to as a short-term substitute license) does not meet the Choice program teacher educational credential requirement.
The DPI’s language on its short-term substitute licensing page is confusing. Although the DPI calls it a license, it doesn’t meet the criteria for teachers in choice schools. The DPI is working on clarifying the page.
