Elk Grove Substitute Teacher Shortage Has District Turning To Parents
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — A statewide substitute teacher shortage is reaching critical mass, forcing Elk Grove schools to come up with new ways to fill classrooms.
Elk Grove Unified School District's David Riley came up with an interesting and unique idea—turning parents into teachers.
"A light bulb went off and said, why don't we advertise these pay rates and this opportunity to our own very parents?" he said.
The district sent out an email to all of its more than 50,000 parents asking who wanted to become a substitute teacher.
"So I figured, if out of 50,000 we can get 100 or 150 interested candidates, we could really move the district forward," he said.
In just one day, more than 100 parents responded, though some we talked to were hesitant at first.
"I'm not saying they would not be qualified, but I just think they need to be equivalent in skill set to a regular teacher," said grandparent Tracy Ayala.
Interested parent need a bachelor's degree and need to pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test, as well as apply for an emergency 30-day credential. Parents will be fingerprinted and undergo background checks.