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Mackinac Center Analysis

Senate Bill 161 modifies certain requirements concerning teacher certification by amending the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1526 et seq.). It removes the statute that requires an individual to pass a subject-area examination in each of the corresponding certification areas to be issued a teaching certificate (secondary or elementary). For individuals seeking elementary level certification, the bill removes the requirement to pass both an elementary certification exam and subject-area exam. It also removes these examination requirements for teachers licensed in other states applying for a Michigan teaching certificate and for certified teachers seeking an additional endorsement. The bill modifies the examination requirement such that a teaching certificate or additional endorsement shall be issued to an individual who has passed “appropriate available examinations,” which replaces the current requirement to pass both subject-area and general certification exams. The required examinations are to be developed and/or selected by the superintendent of public instruction based on criteria recommended by a committee of teachers and other education experts. SB 161 also expands eligibility for an initial or advanced professional teaching certificate to individuals who have completed at least three years in a teaching assignment that does not require an annual performance evaluation. It expands eligibility for an advanced professional teaching certificate to individuals who have been rated as highly effective or effective on their annual evaluation three of the five most recent school years and have not been rated as ineffective within the five most recent school years. Taken together, these amendments ease the process of attaining Michigan certification for teachers certified in other states or individuals seeking an initial or advanced certificate.