STI's SubStrength smells like a racket

Here's a profitable business idea:
1. set up a website offering a sub certification exam
2. make the test inaccessible to non-certified individuals or anyone who hasn't purchased support materials
3. sell collateral support books, CD's, DVD's and other materials that provide answers to the exam at $20 each
4. the assessment test provides an appearance of credibility
5. make a boatload of money

My reaction to this whole process is decidedly negative. I believe in the value of quality teacher training and certification - for full-time teachers. But the reality is that I'm not a certified, full-time teacher and I don't want to be one. I'm a sub. I'm JUST a sub. I provide little value added to the education process. I'm a warm body in the front of a class to keep kids from going berserk an hour at a time. I know it, the kids know it, and the administration knows it. That doesn't mean my job isn't important or admirable or that I am unprofessional or careless. But I know that as soon as kids leave the room, they forget me, and I'm OK with that.

Some days I find techniques that work, some days I don't. I believe it has to do with establishing a presence that conveys confident, approachable authority and command of the subject. You introduce yourself and talk for a minute about who you are and why you're there. Then you follow that up with a solid presentation of the lesson. You ask some questions and send the kids off to the next class. It doesn't have to be so involved. But maybe I get by gut what some people need to label: K-W-L, brainstorming, blah blah blah. You fill up 45-60 minutes, partly with content, partly with empathy. That's not hard.

Go ahead and tell me that my attitude determines the outcome, but I have worked with high school kids for 8 years in three different educational capacities (one as a professional swim coach, two different jobs as a sub). The district I worked for used the STI book (provided free of charge) as a supportive reference rather than having the exam as a prerequisite for employment.

If Utah State and this puppet certification exam really want to accredit subs, they should formalize a 'suggested use' section for districts so every district is informed of its intent.

Maybe I'll write that up, and then sell USU a $25 manual on how it should best be done.

You have some good points, but if you apply that to all degrees, you will find most degrees are a sham. Do you really think that employers respect most gdegrees given by accredited colleges? I think you are wasting valuable time criticizing USU for "playing the game" by the established rules.

I agree with anthonyray. For some disrists, this is the best they can do. Of course live training is better, but isn't computer training/testing better than nothing at all? Plus, from the few education classes I've taken, the answers to the STI test don't just come from their handbooks - they're standard education practices.

I agree and am very thankful others are feeling the same. Who cares which one is the BEST to keep a written record of? Or if I greet the students at the door, should I direct them to the textbook or the black board? Well, that just depends on what the teacher left for students to do. This test was designed to make people buy their material so subs would know how to answer the questions. Many of these questions have little to do with a substitutes effectiveness and the correct answer will only be correct for this test. Besides each school should be able to provide their subs with appropriate material to answer the important questions, like school policy and legal matters. Then, if an ISD wants me to sit at the desk or smile at the students when they come into the classroom, they can tell me. Alas, I guess there's no way to get around this. Good luck all!

Purchased my Substitute Teaching Institute Kit plus CDs yesterday! Cannot wait to ace this test! How will passing this test guarantee me a Sub job opportunity? Upon passing the test, how will passing this test or printing out my SubDiploma truly determine that my reputation and character is more than sufficient to be a Substitute Teacher, working with children? Is passing this worthy, state approved test suppose to be more reliable than on-the-job training? Please rush my kit, there were subjects that were very interesting and informative. Thank you in advance.

I have to find work if I am not to live under a bridge. I have a decent education in the arts and mathematics. However, I am of an age which precludes long term contracts such as those required by Transitions to Teaching programs. Full time substitute teaching is a viable option for an older person. The Philadelphia School District requires the STI diploma for those with no formal preparation or experience, and they give a link to this site. You have to trust somebody! At worst you loose $50! If I wanted to be cynical I might agree with some of these negative assessments. But it is the only way for one to get the needed credentials here. The STI program costs one hell of lot less than the all the ETS Praxis exams in addition to a long term contract and years night school. (Talk about rackets - over $300 for tests alone in addition to a $150 graphing calculator AND all the ETS exam preparation books.) Substitute Teaching may pay less, but there is time and freedom. And maybe, just maybe I might have a positive effect on some child. On balance, then, it would seem that STI program is positive. I certainly wish it had been around the first time I substituted. I would have had far less difficulty.

I have always felt education and training brings wisdom. I am willing to bet a school district would hire an "educated/trained" sub over someone who is not. Trained/educated sub or babysitter. Your choice.

Coming from a former teacher who knows all of the catch phrases and the laws surrounding the classroom, this is foolish. The Praxis is a standardized test, based on actual teaching strategies that work. This is a test of how well someone knows someone's book that they are using a test to sell. How do I know this? The Praxis provides practice questions free of charge and detail into what questions the person missed. This test will not tell you anything. All districts that rely on a scam like this one to test their Subs are being taken in due to their own laziness. This is a scam.

works and lack the common sense to understand how this scam works. They are just looking for an easy way to show that they tried to get the best possible people to sub. However, how can someone like myself that has a college degree in education, has a teaching certificate from the stat department of education as a highly qualified teacher, have taught in public education for 8 years, have to pass some bogus test to be qualified to substitute teach? Just because some people in Utah have a money making racket that really does not mean anything? By the way, has anyone checked the credentials of the people that put this together? An education economist, an elementary teacher, and a marketing person that is rarely available because she is trying to save the world. Enough said.