Kelly Education Introduces First-of-Its-Kind LEARN Standards for Substitute Teachers and Paraeducators
MWN-AI** Summary
Kelly Education has launched the LEARN Standards, a groundbreaking framework aimed at enhancing the roles of substitute teachers and paraeducators across the United States. This initiative comes at a time when teacher absences have surged, highlighting the vital need for well-prepared substitutes in maintaining educational continuity. Developed collaboratively by experienced educators and HR professionals, the LEARN Standards establish five key pillars: Leads and supports instruction for all learners, Ensures a safe and productive learning environment, Acts professionally and ethically, Recognizes the whole child, and Navigates the educational setting appropriately.
The initiative addresses a critical shortfall in training for substitutes, which often lacks structure and support, contributing to high turnover rates in educational staffing. Research indicates that rigorous, standards-based training can lead to improved classroom performance, enhanced educational quality, and better retention rates. Dr. Stephanie Wall, Director of Learning Services at Kelly Education, emphasized that the LEARN Standards represent a significant shift toward preparing educators who can effectively support student achievement right from their first day.
The LEARN Standards provide specialized guidance tailored to the unique responsibilities of substitute teachers and paraeducators. For instance, substitute teachers are trained to understand lesson plans, adapt teaching methods, and maintain professional relationships, while paraeducators focus on implementing IEP accommodations and addressing students' emotional needs.
By establishing these competencies, Kelly Education aims to tackle the challenges faced by educational institutions while fostering a supportive environment for both staff and students. For more insights, interested individuals can attend a live webinar or access a recorded session to learn more about these comprehensive standards.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Kelly Education's introduction of the LEARN Standards represents a notable advancement for the substitute teaching and paraeducator sectors, responding effectively to a critical need in the educational landscape. With teacher absences significantly rising post-pandemic, their framework aims to professionalize these roles, enhance retention, and improve student outcomes, which could drive compelling shifts in market dynamics for stakeholder investors.
From a market perspective, this initiative can positively impact local school districts by decreasing turnover costs associated with unprepared substitutes. Maintaining a stable workforce is increasingly crucial since well-prepared educators significantly improve learning environments. Investors should consider that the demand for comprehensive training solutions in education is likely to rise as districts prioritize student achievement and workforce satisfaction. Consequently, Kelly Education is well-positioned to capture market share as they move to fill this evident gap.
Furthermore, the LEARN Standards are structured to promote educator engagement through targeted professional development, which is likely to attract more qualified candidates into an often underappreciated sector. Their approach to creating tailored competency frameworks will equip both substitute teachers and paraeducators with skills necessary for effective classroom management and instruction. In a marketplace where training quality correlates directly to employee performance, this establishes a strong competitive advantage for Kelly Education.
As this initiative unfolds, stakeholders should monitor its implementation and feedback from educators within districts. Positive results could lead to a ripple effect, encouraging broader adoption of similar frameworks and perhaps even resulting in policy change at higher levels of educational governance. For investors, the LEARN Standards signify a strategic investment in educational innovation, fostering an environment where quality teaching can thrive despite systemic challenges faced in today's educational institutions.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
TROY, Mich., Nov. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kelly Education , the nation's leading provider of education talent and workforce solutions, today announced the launch of its innovative LEARN Standards, a research-backed framework designed to professionalize and elevate the critical roles of substitute teachers and paraeducators across the country. Developed through collaboration between Ed.D. credentialed educators and human resources experts, the LEARN Standards establish clear competency expectations that drive measurable improvements in workforce retention, educator engagement, and student learning outcomes.
The LEARN acronym represents five foundational pillars that guide professional development and performance expectations of substitute teachers and paraeducators:
- L eads and supports instruction for all learners
- E nsures a safe and productive learning environment
- A cts professionally and ethically
- R ecognizes the whole child
- N avigates the educational setting appropriately
Addressing a Critical Need in Education
With as many as 10 percent of teachers absent daily—up from 6 percent before the pandemic —students are spending a significant amount of time with substitute educators. The impact of well-prepared substitute educators and paraeducators on instructional outcomes has never been more critical. Research demonstrates that structured, standards-based training directly correlates with improved classroom performance, enhanced educational quality, and stronger retention rates among education professionals. Despite this evidence, a persistent gap remains, as many districts provide little to no training for substitute teachers and paraeducators, who play an essential part in sustaining consistent teaching.
"The LEARN Standards represent a fundamental shift in how we prepare and upskill the educators who are essential to maintaining learning continuity in our schools," said Dr. Stephanie Wall, Director of Learning Services at Kelly Education . "By going beyond basic requirements and implementing comprehensive, benchmarked training, district leaders can drive significant time and cost savings while enhancing the overall quality and stability of education within their schools. Our framework ensures that every substitute teacher and paraeducator enters the classroom prepared to support student achievement from day one."
By establishing clear competencies across all five standard areas, Kelly Education’s LEARN standards enable districts to:
- Improve Retention : Employees who feel prepared and confident in their work demonstrate higher job satisfaction and longer tenure, reducing turnover costs and maintaining workforce stability.
- Enhance Engagement : Benchmarked training equips educators with practical strategies for classroom management, instructional facilitation, and student engagement, enabling them to move beyond worksheets and videos to facilitate meaningful learning experiences.
- Advance Student Achievement : Well-trained substitute educators and paraeducators preserve educational continuity, implement accommodations effectively, and minimize disruptions to student progress.
Comprehensive Framework for Two Critical Positions
The LEARN Standards offer role-specific guidance for substitute teachers and paraeducators, with competencies tailored to their unique responsibilities and professional requirements:
For Substitute Teachers , the standards emphasize understanding lesson plans and evidence-based best practices, facilitating classroom activities for all learners, adapting teaching methods for unique needs, and maintaining professional boundaries while building positive student relationships.
For Paraeducators , the standards focus on following IEP accommodations and modifications, utilizing interactive teaching methods under teacher supervision, addressing students' behavioral and emotional needs, and collecting data to inform instructional decisions.
To learn more about the Kelly Education LEARN standards, attend the live webinar on Tuesday, November 18, at 1 p.m. ET or watch the recording on demand afterward.
About Kelly Education
Kelly Education powers the future of learning through customized workforce solutions, including hiring and recruiting, business management, professional development, academic and well-being support across the full continuum of education––from PreK-12, special education, and therapeutic services to executive search and beyond. Kelly Education is a business of Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB), a global workforce solutions provider that connects businesses and individuals with limitless opportunities through meaningful work. Learn more at kellyeducation.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook .
Media Contact
Danielle Nixon
Director of Public Relations
816.737.8414 | danielle.nixon@kellyservices.com
FAQ**
How do the LEARN Standards impact the future performance and retention rates of substitute teachers and paraeducators compared to traditional training methods, and does this influence the valuation of Kelly Services Inc. Class B Common Stock KELYB?
What metrics will Kelly Education use to measure the effectiveness of the LEARN Standards in improving student learning outcomes, and how might this affect investor confidence in Kelly Services Inc. Class B Common Stock KELYB?
In what ways do the LEARN Standards align with current trends in educational workforce solutions, and how could this alignment benefit the financial performance of Kelly Services Inc. Class B Common Stock KELYB?
How does Kelly Education plan to address the persistent training gap for substitute educators and paraeducators, and what implications could this have on the market position of Kelly Services Inc. Class B Common Stock KELYB?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Kelly Services Inc. Class A Common Stock (NASDAQ: KELYA).
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