Teacher certification changes could end careers

The Michigan Department of Education will be conducting public hearings across the state in November on proposed rule changes to teacher and administrative certification. These administrative rule changes will dramatically impact teachers and their careers.

In addition to providing alternate routes to an interim teaching certificate and creating a three-tier licensure system, the new rules would tie teacher certification advancement or certification renewal to administrator's evaluations of teachers. Teachers must be rated highly effective or effective for three consecutive years in order to renew their certificate and there would be no appeals process. If a teacher is not evaluated for three years, he or she is at risk of losing their certificate!

This rule change alone jeopardizes a teacher’s career. An unscrupulous or inexperienced administrator could get rid of teachers and end their careers by withholding a highly effective or effective rating.  That’s why it’s so important that MEA members have a strong presence at these hearings and express opposition to these changes.  MEA will be distributing more detailed talking points later this week.

The hearings are scheduled for:

Tuesday, Nov. 1 – 3-6 p.m.                                                                          

Ramada Lansing Hotel and Conference Center – Waverly Room  
7501 West Saginaw Highway
Lansing          

Wednesday, Nov. 16 – 3 – 6 p.m.

Kent ISD Career-Technical Center
2930 Knapp SE
Grand Rapids                    

Wednesday, Nov. 16 – 3-6 p.m.

Wayne RESA Annex Building – Auditorium
5454 Venoy
Wayne

To participate in a video conference, dates and locations are:

Thursday, Nov. 3 – 10 a.m. - Noon                       Thursday, Nov. 3 – 10 a.m. – Noon

Marquette-Alger ISD                                               Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD

321 East Ohio Street                                               315 Armory Place

Marquette                                                                Sault Ste. Marie

Written comments will be accepted at the hearings or can be submitted by mail, email or FAX no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 30. Send comments to:

Public Comment
Office of Professional Preparation Services
Michigan Department of Education
P.O. Box 30008
Lansing, MI 48909

Email: oppspubliccomment@michigan.gov

FAX: 517-337-0542