Education systems should consider further professionalizing substitute teachers as an occupational group¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 quant-synthesis), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The review recommends that education systems treat substitute teaching as an occupation to be professionalized further. The abstract states that "Education systems need to consider professionalizing this occupational group further," following its finding that substitute teachers' "conditions and experiences are less than satisfactory." The recommendation is directed at system-level decision makers responsible for the teaching workforce, and rests on the review's synthesis of studies of substitute teachers' experiences and needs in schools.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Education systems with a substitute/casual/relief teaching workforce whose conditions and support can be addressed by system-level policy.

Constraints¶

• The review grounds this recommendation in findings that substitute teachers' conditions and experiences are less than satisfactory and that targeted support is lacking.

Target Learners¶

• Substitute (casual/relief) teachers in primary/elementary, middle, and secondary/high schools

Target Learning Goals¶

• Improving the work conditions, experiences, and support of substitute teachers so they can sustain quality instruction

Claims¶

• Substitute teachers are a heterogeneous group whose work conditions and experiences are less than satisfactory, exacerbated by a lack of targeted support [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Education systems should develop policies and practices that improve substitute teachers' work

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Reupert, A; Sullivan, A; Tippett, N; White, S; Woodcock, S; Chen, L; Simons, M. (2023). An Exploration of the Experiences of Substitute Teachers: A Systematic Review. Review of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543221149418