One who has been there suggests ways that the job of substitute teaching could be improved. Improvement will come, he says, only through the building principal's commitment to making a substitute's hours more than a babysitting or study hall chore. (Editor)

Emphasizing the need for research dealing with substitute teaching, the author suggests ways to increase its effectiveness, including professional development for substitute teachers. (Author)

Argues that teacher training institutes, school districts, classroom teachers, and substitute teachers need to clarify and define the role of the substitute. (FL)

Suggests that substitute teachers be eliminated and that schools establish a pool of well-qualified, talented "guest teachers" to replace them. (FL)

Describes a new approach to covering classrooms when teachers are absent. Paraprofessionals have been hired in place of substitutes to routinely handle supervisory, noninstructional assignments previously assigned to teachers. The teachers use their free time to staff resource rooms and to supervise classes of absent teachers. (WD)

Responding to the mandates of the Educational Reform Bill in Texas, new emphasis has been placed on the role and responsibilities of substitute teachers. This paper describes a 5-hour substitute teacher seminar that all substitute teachers and aide applicants are required to attend. The 2-day seminar focuses on the contents of the "Substitute…

Describes the development and implementation of a mandatory training program for individuals wishing to substitute teach in a particular school system. Describes how this program tries to bring out into the open both the school system's and the prospective substitute teachers' assumptions about the role of the substitute, the classroom teacher,…

Provides specific suggestions and activities that substitute teachers can use with different grade levels. Substitute teachers need to be aware of the age and learning levels of their students, and develop appropriate teaching styles for different grade levels. (MDM)

Research suggests that the relief (substitute) teacher should be viewed as an extremely important educational resource. Reviewed literature spanning the better part of twenty years indicates that in parts of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, many students spend as much as one full year (or more) of their K-12 education having…

States that the problems of substitute teachers are caused by a breakdown of communication. Suggests that regular teachers leave the substitute a more complete and concise agenda as well as convince their pupils that substitutes are a vital part of the entire educational process. (EL)

A substitute teacher advises regular teachers to support effective substitute teaching by maintaining a seating chart, leaving detailed lesson plans, grading work done in their absence, and training students to sit quietly awaiting class. (MJL)

Practical suggestions for creating and maintaining a productive and positive classroom environment are presented in this guide for substitute teachers. Suggestions for executing emergency lesson plans as well as tips for effective management techniques are included. Substitutes are advised to: visit the school or call the teacher ahead of time if…

Explores the roles of substitute teachers in public high schools by focusing on recruitment, socialization, the round-of-work, task demands, and adaptations of order maintenance and assignment execution. (AOS)

Provides suggestions for equipping special education teacher substitutes with the information they need to function effectively in the special education setting using a comprehensive three-way approach that involves school district personnel, school administrators, other school leaders, and special education teachers. (SM)