Administrative Rules Regarding Teacher Certification

1. Administrative Rules Regarding Teacher Certification Michigan Education Association Winter 2013

2. Administrative Rules • The Michigan Administrative Rules establish three types of teaching certificates: • The Provisional (Initial) teaching certificate issued upon completion an approved teacher preparation program and the taking and passing of appropriate Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC). The certificate is valid for up to 6 ½ years depending on the date of issuance. This certificate may be renewed twice for an additional 3 years of validity by meeting the renewal requirements.

3. Administrative Rules *Continued: --The Professional Education teaching certificate is the advanced level certificate which is valid for up to 5 ½ years depending on the date of issuance and must be renewed prior to June 30 in the year of expiration. The MDE is not authorized to extend an expired certificate unless the continuing education requirements are met in advance. --The Advanced Professional Education teaching certificate is a voluntary certificate issued to teachers having met the requirements. It may be valid for up to 5 ½ years and renewed every 5 years.

4. Administrative Rules • The Administrative Rules have established two types of teaching certificates: • The Elementary teaching certificate is valid for all subjects in grades K-5, and in a self-contained classroom grades 6-8, and for any subject area grades 6-8 where an appropriate endorsement is displayed on the certificate. (Note: A self-contained classroom is defined as one where the same teacher instructs the same students for the majority of the instructional day).

5. Administrative Rules • Continued: • The Secondary teaching certificate is valid for those assignments, grades 6-12, where the appropriate endorsement is displayed on the certificate. A teacher assigned by the district to teach a subject without holding the appropriate endorsement may result in a State Aid penalty levied on the district.

6. Administrative Rules • The Administrative Rules regarding advancing in certification: • Before September 1, 2013, the administrative rules require completion of the following to advance in certification from the Provisional to the Professional Education teaching certificate: • Completion of at least 18 semester hours in a “planned program of Study” at an approved teacher preparation institution, or a master’s degree or higher earned at any time. • Completion of 3 years of successful teaching within the validity of the certificate. • Completion of a 3 semester hour reading course focused on the diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties.

7. Administrative Rules • Advancing in certification continued: • After September 1, 2013, one of the following may be met: • Completion of at least 6 semester hours in a planned program since the issuance of the Provisional certificate at an approved teacher preparation institution. • Completion of 180 State Continuing Education Contact Hours (SCECHs) since the issuance of the Provisional certificate. • Completion of 150 hours of district provided professional development (no more than 30 hours in each of 5 consecutive years) • A combination of the above options.

8. Administrative Rules • Advancing in certification continued: • Applicants must meet these additional requirements--- • The completion of 3 successful years of teaching within the validity of the teaching certificate. • Completion of a 3 semester hour course in the diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties (Note: this course may be included within the 6 semester hours in a planned program). • Applicants must have also met the basic reading requirements (6 semester hours of reading in the content for elementary teachers, and 3 semester hours for secondary teachers) during the initial teacher preparation program or as a condition of advancing in certification.

9. Administrative Rules • Administrative Rules for renewing a Provisional teaching certificate: • Before September 1, 2013 the following requirements must be met in order to renew a Provisional certificate--- • First three-year renewal, you must complete the first 9 semester hours of the 18 semester hour “planned program” which is required for the issuance of the Professional Education teaching certificate. • Second three-year renewal, you must complete the entire 18 semester hour planned program.

10. Administrative Rules • Continued: • After September 1, 2013, the following requirements must be met in order to renew a Provisional teaching certificate: Each renewal is valid for up to 3 years • First renewal requires the completion of one of the following--- • Completion of 6 semester hours in a planned program at an approved teacher preparation institution since the issuance of the Provisional certificate. • 180 State Continuing Education Contact Hours (SCECHs) since the issuance of the Provisional certificate. • A combination of the above options • Completion of an approved master’s degree or higher at an approved teacher preparation institution earned at any time.

11. Administrative Rules • Continued: • After September 1, 2013: • Second renewal requires the completion of one of the following--- • Completion of 6 semester hours in a planned program since the issuance of the FIRST renewal of a Provisional certificate. • 180 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) since the issuance of the FIRST Provisional renewal. • A combination of the above options. • Completion of a master’s degree or higher from an approved teacher preparation institution at any time.

12. Administrative Rules • Requirements for the renewal of the Professional Education (advanced) certificate: • Effective May 18, 2012 --- one of the following options must be met prior to the renewal of the certificate: • Completion of 6 semester hours at an approved post-secondary institution (may include Michigan community colleges) in coursework relevant the teachers certificate and assignment. • Completion of 180 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) of professional development appropriate to the grade level or content area

13. Administrative Rules • Renewal continued: • Completion of each of the 5 days of the district provided professional development (DPPD) as required by the School Code (MCL 380.1257) for 5 consecutive years (25 days in all) • A combination of the above options where 1 semester hour equates to 30 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs), and where one full day of district provided professional development equates to 6 SCECHs.

14. Administrative Rules • Requirements for obtaining the Advanced Professional Education certificate: • This certificate is optional and issued when the teacher has met the following requirements--- • Beginning September 1, 2013 (5 year validity period) • The applicant holds a valid professional education certificate • The applicant holds National Board Certification or has completed a teacher leader training or preparation program approved by the superintendent of public instruction. • The applicant has received 5 consecutive effective or highly effective ratings for the 5 most recent years.

15. Administrative Rules • The renewal of the Advanced Professional Education certificate: • One of the following requirements must be met to renew the certificate--- • Completion of 6 semester credit hours of academic credit appropriate to the grade level or content endorsements on the certificate. • 180 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) appropriate to the grade level or content endorsements • Completion of 150 hours total of district provided professional development during 5 consecutive years. • A combination of the above. • Five consecutive years of effective or highly effective ratings during the validity period of the certificate.

16. Administrative Rules • The following requirements apply to an Interim Occupational Certificate: • Possession of a baccalaureate degree • Completed a major or minor in the field of specialization • Has completed either 2 years (4000 hours) of related experience or a planned program of directed supervised occupational experience. • Taken and passed the MTTC basic skills test and any appropriate subject area tests. • Completed a minimum of 6 semester credit hours of professional or occupational education credit.

17. Administrative Rules • Requirements for Advancing to the Occupational Education certificate: • Before September 1, 2013--- • Has completed at least three years of successful teaching within the validity of the certificate (Note: An occupational certificate is only valid for a teaching assignment in the area displayed on the certificate, and only vocationally funded programs). • Has completed a minimum of 9 semester credit hours at an approved institution and in related occupational coursework.

18. Administrative Rules • Continuing: • Beginning September 1, 2013 the following apply- • Completion of 6 semester credit hours of related coursework • 180 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) of professional development relevant tp the area displayed on the certificate • Completion of 150 total hours of district provided professional development for the most recent 5 consecutive years. • A combination of the above options • Completion of 3 semester credit hours in the diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties. • Completion of at least 3 successful years of teaching within the validity of the certificate.

19. Administrative Rules • Requirements for School Counselors, School Psychologists, Speech Therapists, and School Social Workers: • School Counselor are required to complete an approved master’s degree program in school counseling. Counselors who also hold a teaching certificate will be issued an endorsement. School counselors who do not hold a teaching certificate will be issued a school counselor license.

20. Administrative Rules • Continued: • School Psychologists must complete an approved program of not less than 60 semester credit hours, including a minimum of 600 hours of internship. • Speech therapist must complete an approved graduate program leading to a master’s degree. A speech therapist may hold a special education certificate with an endorsement or a license. • School social workers must complete an approved master’s degree program in social work that includes at least 6 semester credit hours in school social work and be licensed by the state of Michigan (Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth).

21. Administrative Rules • Criteria for the Suspension, Revocation, or Denial of a teaching certificate or other authorizations: • A holder of a teaching certificate or certain State Board of Education approved authorizations may have the certificate suspended or revoked following the conviction of any felony or certain enumerated misdemeanors. Certification may be denied based on similar criteria.

22. Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) • The reauthorization of the ESEA titled the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) requires that all teachers of core academic subjects demonstrate competence as a highly qualified teacher. This requirement is a federal mandate independent of the Michigan Revised School Code. While the two may overlap each is independent of the other.