TEACHER CERTIFICATION FOR SIXTH GRADE

Senate Bill 443

Sponsor:  Sen. Dennis Olshove

House Committee:  Education

Senate Committee:  Education

Complete to 6-13-06

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 443 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 6-13-06

The bill would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1531g) to authorize an individual who held an elementary level or a secondary level teaching certificate to teach in grade six.

Specifically, the bill provides that notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, if an individual held a valid Michigan teaching certificate, the individual would be certified to teach in grade six regardless of whether his or her teaching certificate was an elementary level or a secondary level certificate.  However, an individual holding a secondary level teaching certificate would be certified to teach only the endorsements on the certificate in grades six to 12.

[The Administrative Code defines a general elementary certificate endorsement as an authorization to teach all subjects in grades kindergarten to 5, and all subjects in grades 6 to 8 in a self-contained classroom where the majority of instruction is provided by one teacher. A secondary certificate endorsement is an authorization to teach in grades 9 to 12 in major and minor areas of preparation.

In Michigan, there are 27 different categories of endorsements which include more than 80 specialty areas of instruction.  For example, the category called Language Arts (BX) includes English, journalism, speech, reading, and reading specialist.  The category Social Studies (RX) includes economics, geography, history, and political science.  The category Mathematics (EX) has no specialty areas of instruction.  However, the category Integrated Science (DI) includes biology, chemistry, physics, earth/space science, and physical science.  The category World Language includes French, German, Greek, Latin, Russian, Spanish, Other, Italian, Polish, Hebrew, Japanese Language and Culture, and Chinese Language and Culture.]

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have minimal fiscal impact on the state and local school districts.  The bill could result in a slight reduction in State certification fees, and local school districts would see increased flexibility under this legislation

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:   Mary Ann Cleary

                                                                                                                           Bethany Wicksall

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