PROVISIONAL TEACHING CERTIFICATE RENEWAL

House Bill 4614 as reported from committee w/o amendment

Sponsor:  Rep. Aaron Miller

Committee:  Education Reform

Complete to 2-16-18

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4614 would repeal Section 1531e of the Revised School Code, which allows for the option of an extension—a single nonrenewable two-year provisional teaching certificate—following the lapse of a provisional teaching certificate (which is a three-year certification, and is allowed unlimited renewals).

According to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), a perpetually renewable provisional certificate is ideal. The two-year extension effectively presents a roadblock to people returning to teaching following lapsed certification, as they are unable to utilize the typical renewal process following the two-year extension. MDE testified that the removal of the extension would affect approximately 300 teachers (presumably allowing them to return to the renewal process for standard teaching certificates).

         MCL 380.1531e

BACKGROUND:

MDE also revised Section 1531e’s companion provisions in its Teacher Certification Code in November of 2017. These “procedures upon the expiration of a provisional or interim occupational certificate” are found in R 390.1129b. The rule renames “provisional or interim occupational certificates” as “standard teaching certificates” and extends terms to five years instead of three. According to MDE, the change from “provisional” to “standard” is merely a language change, as “provisional” may be interpreted as inferior to a typical certificate to people outside of the state.

           

The rules define standard teaching certificate as the provisional certificate issued by the superintendent of public instruction to an individual who holds at least a bachelor’s degree, has completed a state approved teacher preparation program, and has met all requirements set forth in [the Teacher Certification Code] and the Revised School Code.

Currently, R 390.1129b(7) of the rules allows a person to obtain unlimited five-year renewals of the standard certificate, but also retains the post-lapse two-year extension under Section 1531e. Passage of HB 4614 would render subsection (7) moot.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4614 would have no fiscal impact on the state or local units of government. The bill would not reduce administrative responsibilities for MDE because certificate candidates would be redirected to the renewal process for standard certificates as long as they met the requirements.

POSITIONS:

A representative of the Michigan Department of Education testified in support of the bill. (2-1-18)

            The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals supports the bill. (2-1-18)

           

            ESA Legislative group supports the bill. (2-1-18)

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                               Fiscal Analysts:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Samuel Christensen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.