Teacher Abscences Are Hurting Learning

[fuzzis]

Teacher absences are hurting learning (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22686809/)

Vacuum in classroom linked to lower test scores, research shows

...Despite tremendous pressure on schools to increase instructional time and meet performance goals, the vacuum created by teacher absenteeism has been all but ignored — even though new research suggests it can have an adverse effect in the classroom.

The problem isn't just with teachers home for a day or two with the flu. Schools' use of substitutes to plug full-time vacancies — the teachers that kids are supposed to have all year — is up dramatically.

Duke University economist Charles Clotfelter, among a handful of researchers who have closely studied the issue, says the image of spitballs flying past a daily substitute often reflects reality. "Many times substitutes don't have the plan in front of them," Clotfelter said. "They don't have all the behavioral expectations that the regular teachers have established, so it's basically a holding pattern."...

The requirements to be a substitute teacher are incredibly low...and the pay is pretty awful. I'm not saying that upping the requirements and pay will help, but it's something to think about.

[mac]

If they're talking about subs being used to fill "full-time vacancies" then it's not about teacher absenteeism. It's about not having a teacher who wants the job. Subs aren't the problem. How teachers are treated, the pressure they're under, and the ever-increasing workload/amts of bureaucratic b.s. are the problem because if those things get better, they'll find more good teachers who want to fill these vacancies.

[pinkytuscadero]

I read that article today! I started to post it but since I was not at school....:smt105

I happen to agree and I NEVER let my children in a class in which the teacher is pregnant (if going to be delivered during school time) because I know the sub for 6-8 weeks will not give the quality of instruction that they deserve.

[pinkytuscadero]

If they're talking about subs being used to fill "full-time vacancies" then it's not about teacher absenteeism. It's about not having a teacher who wants the job. Subs aren't the problem. How teachers are treated, the pressure they're under, and the ever-increasing workload/amts of bureaucratic b.s. are the problem because if those things get better, they'll find more good teachers who want to fill these vacancies.


You are so right! Some districts don't have a clue that it is their school, administration, and district policy that is keeping quality teachers from wanting to work for them.

[countrygirl]

I think the biggest problem is getting "qualified" subs...especially on short notice. Even excellent teachers must miss work, sometimes for more than a day or two when emergencies arise. It's so sad that teachers in some districts must get on the phone and desperately try to find someone to take their class at times. I know that when I taught and emergencies came up, there was a few times I said many prayers for my students because I had to settle for a "warm body" rather than someone that was really qualified to sub.

[EricStratton]

JMO....it's not anybody's damn business if I'm absent....teacher's get a certain amount of sick/personal/professional leave days per year.....how I or anyone else chooses to use them is up to me/them....Teachers are professionals....this is just another example of them not being treated as such!

[pinkytuscadero]

JMO....it's not anybody's damn business if I'm absent....teacher's get a certain amount of sick/personal/professional leave days per year.....how I or anyone else chooses to use them is up to me/them....Teachers are professionals....this is just another example of them not being treated as such!

I got you, Boo!

I believe the article is more about districts not filling a position or not being able to fill a position.

I was just adding my two cents as a parent. I don't want my teacher out for 2 months straight. I certainly don't begrudge a teacher having a baby, I just want my child to have a constant professional in class so I choose to avoid the situation.

At my old district, they would come and take the sub you struggled to get and put them in another class. Then take your class, and split them into the other classes.:smt118 I had children who would freak out! Wrong, wrong, wrong!

[pinkytuscadero]

Oh crud, I thought this was in redpens.

[IBB]

They need to up pay that is for sure!! Especially for assistans too! They do as much or sometimes MORE work than teachers do. It really bothers me. I try not to be absent! I always feel like things can't get done if I am not there. I know they do because I have a wonderful assistant. last year it was HORRIBLE!! :) I was not were I am now!

[mac]

It's true that many subs are not taking their job seriously, but damn, they only get paid $40-50 a day in many districts! (Especially the ones that use Kelly Services, because KS takes a cut off the top of what the district pays.) I have seen subs walk in the classroom, sit behind the desk, and start filing their nails or surfing the internet without even speaking to the students. They view it as a babysitting job--- and for $40 I can't blame them.

[Conveyor Belt]

There's this girl I know who's in college and is technically qualified to be a sub. I believe she's an education major. One night at work, we were discussing things, and she mentioned the 52 states of the US. 'Um, what?'
'You know, the US has 52 states'
Yeah. She's teaching your kids when the other teacher is out. And she's passing her classes, too.

[Maggie-Doodle]

JMO....it's not anybody's damn business if I'm absent....teacher's get a certain amount of sick/personal/professional leave days per year.....how I or anyone else chooses to use them is up to me/them....Teachers are professionals....this is just another example of them not being treated as such!


I am glad to know that this goes on in other places! :) I had a supervisor at the p.d. that "every time" I would call in or ask off she ask me what was wrong with me or "what" I needed to be off for! Just before I quit, I finally had enuf and told her "frankly, I don't think that is any of your business!" She didn't like it but oh well...it wasn't like I was waiting until the last minute to ask for the time off..I tried to give at least a weeks notice if it was for "personal/vacation" When I was sick I would try and call at least 5 hours ahead...unlike most others who would not call until "after" or near time they were due for work.

[CircusRide]

Maybe if a number of school districts didn't play politics and hired the best available teacher, they wouldn't have some of these issues too.

[mac]

Maybe if a number of school districts didn't play politics and hired the best available teacher, they wouldn't have some of these issues too.
Yep. Last year I wasn't teaching because I'd just moved back down here, so I subbed some. A district not too far from here passed me up for a long-term sub job in order to give it to the superintendent's niece. I was certified, and she wasn't. I know this because two of my relatives teach at the school. They're the ones who told me about the job. Why on earth would you pass up the chance to put a certified teacher in a classroom?

Politics affected me when I was looking for a full time position too. Teachers who were in my classes at WC would tell me of an opening, I'd apply, try to make contact, etc. Later I would invariably hear how it was filled by someone who knew someone. Maybe I wasn't the most qualified teacher-- I don't know. But they didn't know whether I was or not because they didn't give me an interview or call any of my references.

[dollfus46]

Yep. Last year I wasn't teaching because I'd just moved back down here, so I subbed some. A district not too far from here passed me up for a long-term sub job in order to give it to the superintendent's niece. I was certified, and she wasn't. I know this because two of my relatives teach at the school. They're the ones who told me about the job. Why on earth would you pass up the chance to put a certified teacher in a classroom?.
I think you answered your own question durlin'. Blood is thicker than water and all educators aren't business smart.