After speaking with the district office for Sub. Teachers, I was informed that I should accept any assignment on the phone, and after arriving at the school, ask the principal if there are any Educ. Assistants in the classroom for the Special Needs students. If the answer is "no," decline the assignment. If the answer is "yes," ask if the E.A. will be present for the entire day. Again, if the E.A. is not there all day, and the students with special needs are, the sub should decline the assignment.
Again, the students deserve the safest environment possible. The substitute teacher deserves the option of accepting or declining an assignment they feel is risky.
That's the official info from those in the know at the Department of Education. Subs, don't be intimidated! You receive no benefits and very little thanks for the work assigned. Safety is always first!
