SUBSTITUTES High demand, low supply

Each day nationwide, an estimated 5 million children are taught by substitute teachers.
On any given school day, up to 10 percent of the nation's classrooms have substitute teachers.
On average, a pupil is taught by substitute teachers for 187 days -- more than a full year of school -- from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Almost 90 percent of school districts nationwide report having problems finding enough substitute teachers.
Nationwide, 56 percent of school districts consider the substitute shortage a serious problem.
The national average pay for substitutes is about $65 a day, although rates below $40 a day are not uncommon.
Sources: Substitute Teaching Institute at Utah State University, The School Administrator magazine, Educational Resources Information Center, U.S. Department of Education