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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.

Mackinac Center Analysis

Repeals section 1280g (MCL 380.1280g) of the revised school code which includes provisions for holding schools accountable for academic performance. Section 1280g includes the A-F school ranking system known as Michigan School Grades. Michigan School Grades is a standardized system that uses several performance indicators to assess a school’s progress each year. A letter grade is assigned to the school based on its annual performance and reported on the Michigan Department of Education’s website. The purpose of the letter grade system is to report a school’s progress in a manner that is simple and easily understood by the public.

Section 1280g also includes provisions for identifying underperforming schools to be targeted for improvement and monitoring. As part of the improvement process, accountability measures must be developed and implemented for the lowest achieving schools. Charter schools that receive a failing grade for three years in a row are subject to closure based on this provision. In addition, it includes provisions for recognizing schools that are consistently among the highest achieving schools in the state. Removing section 1280g would eliminate a transparent, consistent and reliable system of school accountability and decrease incentives for schools to improve or maintain their level of performance.

Mackinac Center Analysis

Amends section 1212 (MCL 380.1212) of the Revised School Code. Section 1212 specifies the purposes for which a sinking fund tax, if approved by voters, may be used. Under current law, depending on the date of authorization, the sinking fund tax may be used for the purchase of real estate for the construction of school buildings, repair of school buildings, improvement of school security, and/or purchase of technology resources and upgrades. As passed by the Senate, in addition to the aforementioned items, SB 63 would allow a sinking fund tax to be used for the purchase of student transportation vehicles, maintenance equipment for those vehicles, trucks and vans under the Michigan Vehicle Code to carry equipment and personnel for the maintenance of school buildings, and maintenance equipment for those trucks and vans. If passed, SB 63 could lead to an increase in sinking fund millage rates and/or the number of districts creating sinking funds.