SF 2291: Relating to para-educators holding substitute authorizations and including effective date provisions

What it does

This bill provides that for the school year beginning July 1, 2021, a certified para-educator with a substitute authorization may substitute in any classroom in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, except a driver’s education classroom. The bill requires a school district to make a good-faith effort to employ a substitute teacher who is not a para-educator before employing a para-educator for a position pursuant to the bill. The bill requires a school district employing a para-educator as a substitute pursuant to the bill to compensate the person at the same rate as would be provided to a substitute teacher who is not a para-educator for the same work. The bill authorizes the board of educational examiners to adopt emergency rules to implement the bill. The bill takes effect upon enactment.

Senate subcommittee · named February 17, 2022

• Sen. Chris Cournoyer (R)
• Sen. Craig Johnson (R) · craig.johnson@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. J. Smith

Lobbying · 8 for, 0 against

For: Des Moines Public Schools; Iowa Association of School Boards; Iowa Board of Educational Examiners; Iowa State Education Association; Professional Educators of Iowa; Rural School Advocates of Iowa; School Administrators of Iowa; Urban Education Network of Iowa

In plain words

1. February 16, 2022Filed in the Senate and sent to the Education committee
2. February 17, 2022Senate subcommittee named: Cournoyer, Johnson and J. Smith
3. March 1, 2022Approved by the Senate committee
4. March 8, 2022Withdrawn