Information on Michigan academic standards and instructional resources.
Responsible for providing final decisions in administrative appeals to MDE.
Learn more about the MDE office responsible for providing leadership in curriculum and instruction that provides students with greater choices to prepare for success.
Resources for educator certification, recognition programs, evaluation, and workforce research.
Resources related to financial and pupil accounting and auditing.
Options available for Michigan students that provide unique learning opportunities.
Food & Nutrition Programs
This MDE office provides resources and technical assistance in physical education, sex education, health education, behavioral, emotional, mental, and social education as well as safety, discipline, and transportation.
Resources for programs and initiatives that support school improvement efforts.
Resources for supporting special education in Michigan.
Michigan has an innovative and comprehensive system of assessments to measure student achievement in learning our state content standards.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
This guidance focuses on the existing pool of potential candidates for addressing current school vacancies and staffing needs in the State of Michigan.
To instruct Michigan students effectively, the department believes that teachers should exhibit competency in three areas of the profession:
Traditionally, these competencies are demonstrated by educator candidates through the following components:
The department recommends that local districts consider specific categories of candidates for addressing vacant teacher positions that may already illustrate some of these competencies. Along with proper supports and partnerships with educator preparation providers (EPPs), these candidates have the potential to meet both short-term and long-term vacancy needs.
Information about Michigan Substitute Permits
Certified teachers, either currently under employment with a school or seeking employment, are an underutilized and potential pool of candidates from which vacancies can be filled. These individuals possess the knowledge, pedagogy and methodology for working with students. Their expertise in the profession makes them viable candidates for expanding a candidate pool. The recommended options for utilizing these teachers include:
Students enrolled in preparation programs to become teachers, such as those currently in a student teaching assignment, are an underutilized and potential pool of candidates from which vacancies can be filled. These candidates are committed to the teaching profession and are gaining the knowledge, pedagogy and methodology for working with students. The recommended options for utilizing these teachers include:
It is vital to the success of both the student teacher’s preparation program, and the success of this particular grow-your-own concept, that the student’s educator preparation program be strategically, intentionally and collaboratively involved in this option.
Paraprofessionals currently employed in local districts have existing relationships with staff, knowledge of student learning styles and often hold content knowledge for specific courses and district curriculum. These individuals possess expertise in the profession, which makes them viable candidates for expanding a candidate pool. The recommended options for utilizing these teachers include:
While an out-of-state license does not authorize placement in a Michigan school, these educators are highly likely to become certified in Michigan. Districts often have educators from other states apply for open positions. Reciprocity provides the opportunity for these educators to be evaluated for Michigan certification and subsequently placed into open positions. This can greatly expand the candidate pool for many districts. MCL 380.1531 provides two different flexibilities assist with placing these candidates into positions:
The Office of Educator Excellence (OEE) has a 96% approval rate for out-of-state evaluations*. The recommended options for utilizing these teachers while they work with OEE to gain Michigan certification include:
*Lack of documentation is the number one reason for a delay in the evaluation of an out-of-state application. An applicant’s status can remain on “Hold” for up to two years or until the evaluation is complete.
Often community members hope to make a career change and enter the education profession. These candidates often reach out to local districts for this opportunity. Career changers should enroll into a preparation program, or an alternative route to educator certification, to become teachers. However, they are also potential candidates from which vacancies can be filled. They are committed to the teaching profession and are gaining the knowledge, pedagogy and methodology for working with students. The recommended options for utilizing these individuals include:
Community members can assist schools with providing expertise for courses that the district may wish to offer. Local museum faculty, doctors, dance studio staff, accountants, among others, can work with districts to provide unique learning opportunities for students. Through partnerships, community members can be potential candidates for providing specialized instruction. The recommended options for utilizing these teachers include:
The flexibilities provided for these specific categories of candidates are not all inclusive but indicate an option for most hiring and staffing scenarios found within Michigan schools.
Individuals working under permits, approvals, and authorizations must be enrolled in preparation programs leading to certification as a condition of renewal. In some circumstances they may be able to complete certification requirements without taking a semester (or year) off to complete student teaching. MCL 380.1233b(7) specifies that if a noncertificated, non-endorsed teacher completes three (3) years of successful classroom teaching, as determined by regular observation and review by school district and EPP personnel, the teacher shall utilize that teaching experience for the purpose of waiving student teaching.
