The Kansas State Board of Education unanimously approved an emergency declaration on Wednesday that allows any individual meeting certain qualifications to apply for a Temporary Emergency Authorized License (TEAL), according to a statement from the board.
This action will help solve the substitute teacher shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any TEAL obtained through the emergency declaration will expire June 1, 2022. After that date, individuals will have to meet the more rigorous requirements for a substitute teacher license.
Usually there is a minimum requirement of 60 semester credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university in order to obtain an emergency substitute license. The emergency declaration removes this minimum requirement for the TEAL. However, candidates must:
- Meet the minimum age requirement of 18.
- Have a high school diploma. Individuals with a general educational development (GED) diploma/certificate aren’t eligible.
- Have a verified employment commitment from a district or system.
- Be fingerprinted and pass a background check.
- Submit a completed application to KSDE.