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HomeEducation CodeDiv. 4Pt. 30Ch. 1Art. 4§ 56061 Special Education Substitute Limits

§ 56061 Special Education Substitute Limits

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 56061 Special Education Substitute Limits

Key Takeaways

  • •A substitute teacher can fill in for a special education teacher, but only for a limited time.
  • •Normally, a substitute can teach for up to 20 days in a school year for the same absent special education teacher.
  • •If the school asks, they might get 20 more days, making it 40 days total.
  • •Only in very special cases can the substitute teach even longer, but the boss has to approve it in writing.

Example

Ms. Johnson, a special education teacher, gets sick and has to miss school for a while.

The school can hire a substitute teacher to take her place. If Ms. Johnson is out for 20 days, the substitute can keep teaching. If she’s out longer, the school can ask for 20 more days. If she’s still out after that, the school has to get special permission for the substitute to keep teaching.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 56061 Special Education Substitute Limits

A person holding a valid credential authorizing substitute teaching may serve as a substitute for the appropriately credentialed special education teacher as follows: (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the employer shall not employ an inappropriately credentialed substitute teacher for a period of more than 20 cumulative school days for each special education teacher absent during each school year. (b) Upon application by the district or county office, the superintendent may approve an extension of 20 school days in addition to those authorized by subdivision (a). (c) Only in extraordinary circumstances may an additional number of days be granted beyond the 40 school days provided for by subdivisions (a) and (b). Such additional days shall be granted in writing by the superintendent. The superintendent shall report to the board on all requests granted for an additional number of days pursuant to this subdivision. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 797, Sec. 9. Effective July 28, 1980.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

educationschoolportemployerteachereffective julyapplicationaddition

Related Statutes

  • § 56062 Special Education Substitute Priorities
  • § 56060 Special Education Certification Requirement
  • § 56063 Substitute Teacher Credentialing Responsibility
  • § 48985 Parental Notices In Primary Language
  • § 46010.2 School Attendance Enrollment Calculation

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 56061.
View Official Source