TEACHER LICENSING EXAMINATION S.B. 354 (S-2):
SUMMARY OF SUBSTITUTE BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 354 (Substitute S-2)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised School Code to allow the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to issue a Michigan teaching certificate to an individual who held or was eligible to hold a valid teaching certificate in another State or with a Federally recognized Indian tribe if that individual passed an existing national licensing examination.
The Code requires the 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 has passed appropriate available examinations, including an equivalent examination approved by the SPI for an individual holding a teaching certificate from another state, country, or Federally recognized Indian tribe.[1]
The bill would specify that, for an individual who held or was eligible for a valid teaching certificate in another State or with a Federally recognized Indian tribe, an equivalent examination would have to meet the following requirements:
-- Be approved by the State or the Federally recognized Indian tribe that issued the individual's teaching certificate.
-- Already be in existence as of the bill's effective date.
-- Be administered nationally.
The Code also requires the SPI, based on criteria recommended by a committee of teachers, representatives of approved teacher education institutions, Michigan education organizations and associations, and experts in measurement and assessment to develop and select one or more subject area examinations. Under the bill, if an individual passed one of these subject area examinations, that individual also would be considered to have passed the appropriate available examinations and could be issued a Michigan teaching certificate.
Currently, "an individual holding a teaching certificate from another state, country, or Federally recognized Indian tribe" means an individual with a valid teaching certificate or an individual who is eligible for a teaching certificate in the state or country or with the Federally recognized Indian tribe in which or with which the individual is certificated or eligible for certification.
Under the bill, "an individual holding a teaching certificate from another state, country, or Federally recognized Indian tribe" would mean an individual with a valid teaching certificate or an individual who is eligible for a teaching certificate in another state, in another country, or with a Federally recognized Indian tribe.
MCL 380.1531 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] Public Act 110 of 2023 amended the law to require the SPI to issue a Michigan teaching certificate to, as well as endorsements comparable to those previously held by, an individual with a teaching certificate from another state, country, or Federally recognized Indian tribe if the individual has taught successfully in that state, country, or for that tribe for at least three years and meets applicable elementary or secondary reading credit requirements.