About Substitute Teachers
Substitute teachers provide an essential service in educating students. Although short-term substitute teachers are not required to meet the Highly Qualified (HQ) requirements, the US Department of Education strongly recommends that long-term substitutes be Highly Qualified for the core academic classes to which they are assigned. Federal law defines core academic subjects as: English Language Arts (including reading), mathematics, science, civics/government, economics, geography, history, foreign language, and fine arts. Substitute teachers of these subjects are encouraged to earn the Highly Qualified (HQ) designation.