Have You Checked Your Certification lately?

Certification rules change regularly. Keeping yourself and your certification updated is your responsibility. Don’t expect your school district to.

The first place to look for current certification requirements is www.mea.org. Click on the link to “Professional Development” for regular updates.

Here’s a summary of recent certification changes:

• By July 1, 2009, teachers applying for a first-time certificate or renewing provisional teaching certificates must have an additional three-credit course of study in reading.

• At the Michigan Department of Education’s Web site, www.michigan.gov/mde, you can find a list of classes that will meet the new reading requirement.

• Secondary special education teachers who took the elementary certification test have until Jan. 30, 2009, to find an alternative option to meet the “highly qualified” requirement.

• Don’t sign any documents your district presents that would require you to report how you met the “highly qualified” option. Contact your Uniserv director if you have any questions.

PA 114 revised Michigan teacher certification fees and established a new fee schedule. For details, go to www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billenrolled/House/htm/2007-HNB-4591.htm.

• The Department of Education’s Web site, www.michigan.gov/mde, has information and applications for teacher certification. Click on “Teacher Certification” for details.

Updated: February 18, 2009 7:28 PM