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Revised Certification Structure

This collaboration has led to the design of a structure that places students at the heart of the system. A key goal of this structure is deeper preparation of teachers to meet the unique learning needs of children at each grade level, particularly in early literacy. Attached is a simplified graphic that depicts the revised certification structure. The structure includes: focused grade bands to provide new teachers with specialized knowledge about the students and content they will teach; defined clinical experiences and foundational coursework for each grade band; unique preparation for instructing children at each developmental level, including middle level learners; and enhanced content knowledge preparation for middle school teachers to award high school credit. 

The endorsements in the new system now reflect more closely the content in which educators were prepared and equip LEAs with the knowledge to assign an appropriately prepared and endorsed teacher to meet student needs. 

Implementation Timeline

Overview

There are 5 grade bands:

  • Birth through Kindergarten (B-K)
  • Prekindergarten (PreK) through Grade 3 (PreK-3)
  • Grades 3 through 6
  • Grades 5 through 9
  • Grades 7 through 12

Some endorsements encompass multiple grade bands, including Prekindergarten through Grade 12. The preparation for each of these grade bands includes content area coursework, foundational and professional coursework, and clinical experiences appropriate to the grade range. Although the coursework, foundational coursework, and clinical experiences will vary with each grade band and subject area, each will include learner-centered supports, including strategies for deeper learning, and differentiated supports for intervention and tiered instruction. Educator preparation program standards will guide the construction of coursework and clinical experiences.

View full-size image
grades b-k
grades pk-3
grades 3-6
grades 5-9
grades 7-12
multiple grade bands
Placement link

Appropriate Placement

While certified teachers may always teach in the grade range and content area listed on their certificates, teachers with these new grade band endorsements may also teach outside of the grade range without a substitute permit in specific placements. While it is strongly preferable for a teacher to be placed in an assignment in their grade band endorsement, current flexibility given the teacher shortage extends beyond grade band endorsements.

Revised Certificate Structure Placement
Flexibilities link

Flexibilities

When there is no teacher to fill a particular assignment, or to grow a future teacher into an assignment, MDE encourages local districts to continue utilizing the system of permits and other flexibilities to support staffing needs and vacancies.

Permit Overview