Keystone Area Education Agency to offer Substitute Authorization Class in August

Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA) will be offering the required training course for the Iowa Substitute Authorization. This authorization allows an individual to substitute in a PK-12 classroom. For those who are a Certified Paraeducator, this assigned special education classroom may be at the elementary, middle school, junior high school or high school level.

The four core components of the course are Classroom Management, Strategies for Learning, Diversity and Ethics. Upon successful completion of the program the participant may apply to the Board of Educational Examiners for a license. A state and federal background check is also required. Local districts have the option of hiring individuals with the Substitute Authorization, but it does not guarantee employment. Interested parties are encouraged to check with their local district.

Anyone who meets the following five criteria is eligible to receive this authorization:

• Has achieved at least one of the following: (1) holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or (2) has completed an approved Paraeducator Certification Program and holds a Paraeducator Certificate.
• Has attained a minimum age of 21 years.
• Has successfully completed an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation background check.
• Has successfully completed a National Criminal History background check.
• Has successfully completed all the requirements of an approved Substitute Authorization course.

The period of renewal for this authorization is once every five years. At the time of renewal, authorized individuals will need to submit verification of two 15-contact hour courses taken within the five-year period from the date their Authorization was issued, as well as the renewal application form, documentation of Mandatory Child and Dependent Adult Abuse training and the renewal fee.

The Substitute Authorization course is 20-clock hour training. The course dates are August 25-27 of this year at Keystone AEA, 2310 Chaney Road in Dubuque. The course number is 21728 - Substitute Authorization Course (Dbq). The course schedule is Friday, August 25 from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, August 26-27 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

A minimum of 10 participants is required to hold the course. Participants must attend all sessions. Keystone AEA reserves the right to cancel the program due to low enrollment. Notification of cancellation will be made to those registered.

To register for the class through Keystone AEA go to http://bit.ly/2nADqCZ and select the blue and white ‘Register Now’ button. When filling out the ‘Course Registration’ page, select the open circle to the left of the word ‘Recert’. Even those who are not teachers need to select the Recert option. The deadline to register is February 13.

Once attendees have successfully completed the Substitute Authorization class an online application must be submitted to the Board of Educational Examiners. The link to the BOEE License Application website is http://www.boee.iowa.gov/licensure/new/sub.html.

Those who have any questions may contact Kathy Wessel at 1-800-632-5918, ext 1320 or kwessel@aea1.k12.ia.us during business hours.