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Frequently Asked Questions for MTTC

I have questions about:

-    Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Program

  1. Which Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) test should I take to become certified as a teacher in Michigan?
  2. What kinds of teacher certification tests are required in Michigan?

  5. What are subject-area tests?

 

  -     MTTC Test Registration, Alternative Arrangements, Preparation, and Records

  1. How do I get more information about the Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC), including how to register?

  2. How do I decide which MTTC tests to take?

  3. I think that I have a special situation that requires alternative arrangements for taking the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification.  How do I request the arrangements I think I need?

  4. How do I get help in preparing for MTTC tests?

  5. I need to change my MTTC registration.  How do I do that?

  6. How do I request a refund of my test registration fee(s)?

  7. How soon after I take a test can I get the results?

  8. How do I get additional copies of my Michigan Test for Teacher Certification test scores?   What do the additional copies cost?

  9. I need to get additional Michigan Test for Teacher Certification test score reports, but I do not remember when I took the tests. How do I get the score reports I need?

  10. I need my Michigan Test for Teacher Certification results for another state.  That state also wants confirmation that I passed the MTTC tests and that MTTC tests are required for teacher certification in Michigan.  How may I get this information?

 

  -     MTTC Validity, Passing, and Scoring

  1. I have taken, and passed, the Basic Skills test, or subject-area test(s). How long are the test results valid?

  2. I have taken, but not yet passed, the Basic Skills test, or a subject-area test. How many times may I take a test?

  3. I have taken, but not yet passed, the Basic Skills test, or a subject-area test. How can I find out which test subareas are my areas of difficulty?

  4. May I put together the subareas from the separate tests to get a passing score for the MTTC test I need?

  5. Is a district where a teacher applies for a teaching position told how times a candidate has taken the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification? 

 

  -       -     MTTC and the "Highly Qualified" Status of NCLB (No Child Left Behind)

  1. Where can I get more information about my options for gaining "highly qualified" status for NCLB?

  2. Is there any flexibility in the requirements for "highly qualified" teacher status?

  3. I am a regular education teacher. What MTTC tests should I take for "highly qualified teacher" status for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation of 2001?

  4. I am a special education teacher. What MTTC test should I take for "highly qualified" status?

  5. I am a paraprofessional aide. What MTTC tests should I take for "highly qualified" status?

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  1. Which Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) test should I take to become certified as a teacher in Michigan?

Passing a MTTC test, alone, will NOT provide a teaching certificate.  There is no single MTTC test, group of MTTC tests, or any other national or international teacher certification test, in and of itself, that a person may take to receive a Michigan teaching certificate. 

 

Except for out-of-state applicants (See FAQ #6), Michigan teaching certificates are earned following the successful completion of courses of study at approved teacher preparation institutions in Michigan.  Successful completion of courses of study will include successful passing of the Basic Skills test and one or more subject-area tests related to the specific content a teacher will be endorsed to teach. 

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  1. What kinds of teacher certification tests are required in Michigan?

There are three tests: the Basic Skills test, the Elementary Education test, and the subject-area tests.  Depending on the level of teaching certificate sought, Michigan law requires that the tests are passed before teaching certificates are issued. 

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  1. What is the Basic Skills test? 

The Basic Skills test is comprised of three parts, called subtests: mathematics, reading, and writing.  Michigan law requires that teacher candidates for Michigan's initial, provisional teaching certification must pass all three subtests of the Basic Skills test before enrolling in student teaching.  Some colleges and universities require a passing score on all three Basic Skills subtests for admission into a teacher preparation program.  Information about requirements for admission to teacher preparation programs should be requested from individual institutions. 

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  1. What is the Elementary Education test? 

Teacher candidates for Michigan provisional elementary teaching certificate must pass the Elementary Education test.  Candidates who meet all the requirements for an elementary education certificate and choose to take, in addition to the Basic Skills test, only the Elementary Education test will (if both tests are passed) be  eligible to teach grades K-5 (all subjects) and grades 6, 7, and 8 (all subjects, in self-contained classroom ONLY).   

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  1. What are subject-area tests? 

Subject-area tests correspond to endorsement areas in the Michigan certification structure.  Teacher candidates for secondary certification must pass the appropriate subject-area test in each major and/or minor area for which they are seeking endorsement.  Candidates who qualify for secondary certification will be eligible to teach grades 6-12 ONLY in the areas of endorsement.   

 

Candidates for elementary certification who, in addition to passing the Basic Skills and Elementary Education tests, choose to take (and pass) subject-area tests in their major and/or minor area(s) of study will have added eligibility to teach those subjects in grades 6, 7, and 8 in school settings that assign more than one class of students to a specific teacher. 

 

Subject-area tests may be taken at any time.  Most students take the subject-area tests during the later part of their teacher preparation program; however, Michigan law requires that the tests must be passed prior to certification for secondary teachers.   

 

Michigan's approved teacher preparation institutions and their approved content programs  are listed on-line.  Teacher candidates who complete teacher preparation through a Michigan institution will be informed by the institution of the test(s) they must pass. 

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  1. I am from out-of-state.  What Michigan teacher test(s) might I have to take? 

Candidates from out-of-state teacher preparation programs and candidates with out-of-state teaching certificates who do not have at least three (3) years of successful teaching experience within the validity and grade level of the teaching certificate held and who have not completed 18 semester hours of approved post-BA study need to complete Basic Skills, Elementary Education, and/or subject-area MTTC tests.   

 

An out-of-state candidate must submit an  Application for Provisional/Professional Education Teaching Certificate  to the Office of Professional Preparation Services in the Michigan Department of Education.  The Office will determine which tests are required.  The Office will tell the candidate, in writing, of the necessary tests to be passed.  

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  1. If I already have a Michigan teaching certificate, why am I required to take any tests?   

Teachers who hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate are required to take MTTC tests if they are adding a new endorsement to their certificate OR if they are adding elementary certification when they already have secondary certification.  A certified teacher who completes the additional preparation, and applies for a new endorsement or elementary-level certification, will be required to pass only the test for the new subject-area endorsement, or the Elementary Education test, or both, if applicable. 

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  1. I have been teaching for more than 12 years!  I do not want an additional endorsement.  Why am I required to take tests? 

Veteran teachers, who hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate issued before 1992, may also be required to take MTTC tests to satisfy "highly qualified teacher" requirements of the U.S. Congress' No Child Left Behind legislation. 

 

Generally speaking, Michigan's veteran teachers may demonstrate that they are "highly qualified" in a subject-area if they hold an endorsement for that subject-area based on an academic major, or if they hold an endorsement based on an academic minor AND pass the MTTC test appropriate for the subject-area.  For example, a teacher holding a secondary certificate with an English endorsement, based on a minor, would take the English MTTC test . 

 

In general, a teacher with an elementary certificate, and teaching in grades K-5 ONLY, does not take the Elementary Education MTTC test for NCLB purposes.  However, for specific information, veteran teachers should contact their district, school, or intermediate school district certification or human resource office.  Alternatively, a veteran teacher may contact the Teacher Certification Unit of the Michigan Department of Education Office of Professional Preparation Services.     

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  1. How do I get more information about the Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC), including how to register? 

The MTTC Registration Bulletin is available free on-line. 

 

Printed Registration Bulletins are available from the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, formerly known as National Evaluation Systems, Inc.  You may fill in an on-line form to Order a Registration Bulletin  from the testing contractor. 

 

OR, you may send a written request through the U.S. mail to the contractor directly,  Include your name and return address with your written request.  The contractor's postal address is:

MTTC, National Evaluation Systems

P.O. Box 660

Amherst, MA  01004-9001

Printed Registration Bulletins may also be available through the education departments at Michigan's teacher preparation colleges and universities.

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  1.  How do I decide which MTTC tests to take?

A teacher candidate should contact the teacher certification office at the Michigan teacher preparation institution the candidate attends.  A veteran teacher should contact the Michigan school that recommended the veteran teacher for certification.  Some tests have similar names but cover different endorsement areas, so a prospective examinee needs to choose carefully the MTTC test that corresponds to the teacher preparation program taken.  For example, a teacher candidate currently completing an Art Education endorsement program should pass the Art Education MTTC test (#41); the candidate should not register for the Visual Arts Education MTTC test (#95). 

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  1. I think that I have a special situation that requires alternative arrangements for taking the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification.  How do I request the arrangements I think I need?

The conditions and procedures for requesting alternative testing arrangements are described on-line at Registering for Alternative Testing Arrangements. 

 

If you request alternative arrangements because of a disability, then you must provide documentation dated within the past five (5) years, including names, dates, and results of test(s) or evaluation(s) administered within the past five years by the appropriate professional, used to document the disability and the specific alternative arrangement requested.

 

You will need to complete an  Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form which is available on-line for downloading.   

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  1. How do I get help in preparing for MTTC tests?

Study Guides are available on-line.  Study materials for the Basic Skills  test are printed in the MTTC Registration Bulletin and are available on-line.  Teacher candidates should also seek assistance from education department personnel at the Michigan college or university that the candidate attends. 

 

Teacher candidates may also contact student academic support services at Michigan community colleges, colleges, and universities.  This is especially helpful for support in passing the Basic Skills test. 

 

MTTC study guides and tutorials may also be available commercially on-line.  The Michigan Department of Education does not recommend commercial sites. 

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  1.  I need to change my MTTC registration.  How do I do that?

You need to complete a Withdrawal/Refund Request Form which is available on-line for downloading.  Your request for refund must be received by the late registration deadline  (of the test you registered for). 

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  1.  How do I request a refund of my test registration fees(s)?

You need to complete a Withdrawal/Refund Request Form which is available on-line for downloading.  Your request for refund must be received by the late registration deadline  (of the test you registered for).  

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  1. How soon after I take a test can I get the results?

About four weeks after a test date you may get unofficial results on-line.  On the day that unofficial results are posted on-line, official results are mailed to you, to other recipients you choose, and to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).  The  Test Dates for each test administration may be confirmed on-line. 

 

Specific directions for Release of Your Test Scores are available on-line. 

 

You will need to KEEP YOUR MTTC ADMISSION TICKET for important MTTC identification numbers. The Electronic test scores remain posted for approximately two weeks; for security reasons, electronic scores may be viewed only ONCE during the Internet posting period. 

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  1. How do I get additional copies of my Michigan Test for Teacher Certification test scores?  What do the additional copies cost?

The conditions and procedures for Requesting Additional Copies of Your Test Results are described on-line.   You will need to complete an Test Results Request Form available on-line for downloading.    

For the academic year 2007-2008, the cost is $15 per administration.  If you took more than one MTTC test on a particular date, the total cost is $15 for all those results.  If you took MTTC tests on separate dates, and you want tests from the separate dates, then you must multiply the $15 by the number of different dates you request.

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  1. I need to get additional Michigan Test for Teacher Certification test score reports, but I do not remember when I took the tests.  How do I get the score reports I need?

Call the National Evaluation Systems at 413 256-2876 and ask them to assist you.  You should be prepared to provide your full name and social security number.   

 

TEST SCORES AND INFORMATION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT A TEST TAKER HAS PASSED MTTC TEST(S) ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON-LINE, VIA E-MAIL, OR FROM THE STAFF AT THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. 

 

Once you obtain the dates and names of the MTTC tests you need, you should complete an  Test Results Request Form   which is available on-line for downloading.    (See FAQ #16 for more information) .      

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  1. I need my Michigan Test for Teacher Certification results for another state.  That state also wants confirmation that I passed the MTTC tests and that MTTC tests are required for teacher certification in Michigan.  How do I get this information?

The Michigan Department of Education will not send or communicate MTTC results to anyone.  Examinees receive written official reports from Evaluations Systems group of Pearson, formerly known as National Evaluation Systems, Inc., (NES).  Those reports contain a printed statement recording whether or not an examinee has passed one or more MTTC tests.  If the state does not accept this official report from you, then you may request an additional score report be sent to a certification official in the state that is reviewing your application for teacher certification (see FAQ #16 for more information). 

 

NOTE:  ILLINOIS ISBE 73-99 (Confirmation of State Certification Tests Taken) forms required for the Illinois State Board of Education Certification Office are to be executed ONLY by the applicant's Michigan college or university and submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education along with the applicant's original score report.  (Do NOT send the ISBE 73-99 form to the Michigan Department of Education.)

 

The MDE will confirm that MTTC tests are required for Michigan teacher certification.  Some states have a form for that purpose.  You may send that form to:

Dr. Steven J. Stegink

Michigan Department of Education

Office of Professional Preparation

P.O. Box 30008

Lansing MI  48909

If you do not have such a form, then you may send a written letter of request, including the name and address of the state official who needs the information, to Dr. Stegink.

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  1. I have taken, and passed, the Basic Skills test or subject-area test(s).  How long are the test results valid?  

Once the entire Basic Skills test (mathematics, reading, and writing) is passed, an individual will never have to take it again to qualify for the issuance or renewal of any Michigan teaching certification in the future. 

 

A passing score on a subject-area test will remain valid for a period of five (5) years.  After five years have elapsed and if a certificate or endorsement has not yet been issued, a teacher candidate for certification will be required to retake the test until a passing score is achieved. 

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  1. I have taken, but not yet passed, the Basic Skills test or a subject-area test.  How many times may I take a test?  

There is no limit to the number of times you may retake any MTTC test.  However, according to the Michigan Department of Education administrative codes, any test (or subtest, in the case of Basic Skills) "may continue to be retaken until passed but, after the fourth failure and every subsequent failure, the individual must seek academic counseling from college/university staff in an attempt to overcome testing deficiencies." 

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  1. I have taken, but not yet passed, the Basic Skills test or a subject-area test.  How can I find out which test subareas are my areas of difficulty?  

Each MTTC test is divided into two (2) to eight (8) subareas.  The subareas correspond to organized groups of test objectives found in the study guide for a particular test.  With each MTTC test report, the testing company includes an explanatory page, How to Read Your Score Report.  Use the explanatory sheet to interpret the symbols listed beneath the "Subarea Performance Index."  The index does not identify any subarea as "passed" or "failed."  The index simply indicates subareas of strength or weakness on this particular test. 

 

Take your score reports with the explanatory sheet to your academic counselor.  Work with your academic advisor to develop strategy for improvement.  (See FAQ #11 above for other preparation options.) 

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  1. May I put together the subareas from the separate tests to get a passing score for the MTTC test I need?  

No.  Each time an MTTC test form is produced for a new administration date, the new form has a different combination of items from an item bank.  While the overall test difficulty is the same from one test administration to the next, the subareas are not equally difficult among the test administrations and there is no specific amount of indicators that mean you "passed" a subarea.  Because of the subarea differences from test to test, it is not possible to achieve passing status by piecing together successful subarea performances on MTTC tests taken on different dates. 

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  1. Is a district where a teacher applies for a teaching position told how many times a candidate has taken the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification?   

No.  Providing such information would be a breach of ethical and legal requirements of test taker privacy.  Neither the Michigan Department of Education nor the Evaluations Systems group of Pearson, formerly known as National Evaluation Systems, Inc., conveys that information.   

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  1. Where can I get more information about my options for gaining "highly qualified" status and NCLB? 

The Michigan Department of Education has a more detailed on-line document.   

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  1. Is there any flexibility in the requirements for "highly qualified" teacher status? 

Yes, there is some.  Since March 2004, flexibility is provided for certain groups of teachers.  For example, rural school teachers, science teachers (including biology, chemistry, earth/space science, and physics), social studies teachers (including history, geography, economics, and political science/government/civics), and special education teachers have particular descriptions of what "highly qualified" means for them.  These descriptions are explained on-line at NCLB HQ Teacher Flexibility Update.    

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  1. I am a regular education teacher.  What MTTC test(s) should I take for "highly qualified" status for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation of 2001?  

Generally, elementary and secondary teachers who have taken and passed MTTC tests in the subject-areas and instructional levels in the classrooms for which they hold endorsement and to which they are assigned to teach, meet the NCLB highly qualified definition.  Also, middle and secondary (grades 6-12) teachers who are assigned to teach in their academic majors, but may not have taken MTTC tests, are considered highly qualified.  Elementary and secondary teachers assigned to middle grade or higher classrooms based on their minor subject-area endorsements, or on endorsements for which they have completed course credits that are equivalent to a minor, will be considered highly qualified AFTER they pass the MTTC test that corresponds to the subject-area and instructional level of the classroom in which they teach.  Passing a MTTC test does NOT substitute for earning an endorsement in a subject-area. 

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  1. I am a special education teacher.  What MTTC test should I take for "highly qualified" status? 

If you hold an elementary teaching certificate and provide direct instruction in special education classes at the elementary level, then the Elementary  Education MTTC test is recommended for you.

 

If you hold a secondary teaching certificate and provide direct instruction in special education classes at the elementary level or teach special education students who are assessed by alternate achievement standards, then the Elementary Education test is also recommended for you. 

If you are teaching in special education classes at the secondary level, you must take the specific subject MTTC (or verify "highly qualified" status by way of the Housse options.)

More information is available at NCLB and Highly Qualified Information.  

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  1. I am a paraprofessional aide.  What MTTC test(s) should I take for "highly qualified" status? 

The Basic Skills MTTC test is one option for you.  You would need to take and pass all three subtests (mathematics, reading, and writing) of the Basic Skills test.   

 

There are some other options available to you, including ACT workshops for the Workkeys Assessment.  You may find out about those options in an on-line document Paraprofessionals and NCLB. 

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5.29.08


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