APPENDIX C:  Use of Candidates as Substitutes

The Oklahoma State Department of Education has approved a revision in the OSU Professional Education policy relative to the use of candidates as substitutes in the classroom.  The policy consists of two components, either or both of which may be utilized with a specific candidate at the discretion of the school administration, cooperating teacher, and participating institution of higher education.  The two components are:

1.   When the cooperating teacher is absent from the classroom covering responsibilities related to being an OSU cooperating teacher or is assisting in some other way with the OSU teacher preparation program, the OSU candidate may be assigned to cover responsibilities of the cooperating teacher for no more than three (3) days of the clinical practice internship experience.  During that time it will not be necessary for the school district to hire a substitute teacher to supervise the candidate.  The superintendent/principal makes all final decisions about the appropriateness of using the candidate as a substitute for those three days.

2.   Candidates who are interning in an accredited school in Oklahoma may be allowed to serve in the capacity of a substitute teacher in the classroom where they are assigned under the following conditions:
a.   The candidate shall have completed at least ten (10) weeks of direct, substantial, and full-day internship with the cooperating teacher(s) prior to serving as a substitute teacher. The candidate may substitute only for the cooperating teacher, not other teachers in the building.  The Early Childhood Education candidates in Pre-K and K classrooms may not substitute at any time during this field experience.
b.   During the period of time that the candidate serves as a substitute teacher, the local district shall designate an experienced teacher assigned to the same building as the student teacher to provide assistance as necessary.

3. When the candidate is acting as a substitute, he/she shall be paid the established rate of pay for substitutes as set by the local school district.
4. After completing his/her clinical practice internship experience the candidate can be hired as a full-time substitute teacher/teacher.

If you have any questions regarding the implementation of this policy, call Price Brown, Coordinator, Clinical Practice, 405-744-1088 or price.brown@okstate.edu.

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