TEACHER LICENSING EXAMINATION S.B. 354:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 354 (as introduced 5-24-23)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised School Code to replace teacher subject area examinations and the elementary certification examination with a teacher licensing examination approved by the State Board of Education, beginning June 30, 2024.
The Code requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to determine the requirements for and issue all licenses and certificates for teachers. Generally, the SPI may only issue a teaching certificate to an individual if that individual had passed the appropriate examinations as follows:
-- For a secondary level teaching certificate, the appropriate available subject area examination for each subject area in which the individual applies to be certified.
-- For an elementary level teaching certificate, the elementary certification examination, if available, and the appropriate available subject area examination for each subject area, if any, in which the individual applies to be certified.
The bill would replace subject area examinations and the elementary certification examination with a teacher licensing examination, beginning June 30, 2024. By that date, the State Board of Education would have to approve and implement a teacher licensing examination. The examination would already have to be in existence when approved and administered nationally.
In effect, the bill would allow the SPI to issue a teaching certificate to an individual if, in addition to fulfilling other requirements,[1] that individual passed the teacher licensing examination, beginning June 30, 2024.
Definitions
Under the bill, "elementary certification examination" would mean either of the following:
-- Before July 1, 2024, a comprehensive examination for elementary certification that has been developed or selected by the SPI for demonstrating the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the core subjects normally taught in elementary classrooms and for determining whether an applicant is eligible for an elementary level teaching certificate.
-- After June 30, 2024, the teacher licensing examination approved by the State Board.
"Subject area examination" would mean either of the following:
-- Before July 1, 2024, an examination related to a specific area of certification, which examination has been developed or selected by the SPI for the purpose of demonstrating the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the subject matter and determining whether an applicant is eligible for a Michigan teaching certificate.
-- After June 30, 2024, the teacher licensing examination approved by the State Board.
Sunsets
The bill would sunset the following provisions on June 30, 2024.
The Code requires the Michigan Department of Education to provide approved teacher education institutions with approved guidelines and criteria for use in the development or selection of subject area examinations. Additionally, the SPI must develop and select one or more subject area examinations and approve an elementary certification examination and a reading subject area examination.
The SPI also must appoint an 11-member teacher examination advisory committee composed of representatives of approved teacher education institutions and Michigan education organizations and associations to recommend criteria to be used by the SPI in the development and selection of subject area examinations and guidelines for the use and administration of those examinations. In addition, the SPI must appoint a seven-member standing technical advisory council composed of individuals who are experts in measurement and assessment to advise the SPI and the teacher examination advisory committee on the validity, reliability, and other technical standards of the examinations that will be used or are being used and of the administration and use of those examinations.
PREVIOUS LEGISLATION
(This section does not provide a comprehensive account of previous legislative efforts on this subject matter.)
The bill is similar to House Bill 5056 of the 2021-2022 Legislative Session.
Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Cory Savino, PhD
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
[1] Generally, to be issued a teaching certificate, in addition to passing subject area examinations and the elementary certification examination, as applicable, an individual must complete an approved teacher preparation program, hold at least a bachelor's degree, and complete a required reading course and clinical experiences. For more information, see www.michigan.gov/mde/.