School Administrator Credentials and Placement

Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 380.1246 and the School Administrator Certification Code, R 380.102, require valid Michigan school administrator credentials (certificate or permit) when:

• The individual is employed as a superintendent. This does not depend on the title of the position but on the job duties of the position and on whether the individual is expected to perform the typical duties of a superintendent. For example, if a “chief administrative officer” performs the typical or essential duties of a superintendent, that individual is required to hold a school administrator credential. On the other hand, a “superintendent of transportation” who does not perform the typical or essential duties of a superintendent is not required to hold a school administrator credential.
• The individual is employed as a principal. This does not depend on the title of the position but on the job duties of the position and on whether the individual is expected to perform the duties of a principal.
• The individual is employed as an assistant principal. This does not depend on the title of the position but on the job duties of the position and on whether the individual is expected to be able to step in and perform the duties of a principal. Applying this standard, most individuals with the title “assistant principal” require a school administrator credential. However, an individual with the title of “assistant principal” whose sole responsibility is, for example, student discipline and who is not expected to be able to step in and perform the duties of a principal is not required to hold a school administrator credential.
• The individual’s primary responsibilities are administering instructional programs. “Administering instructional programs” includes assignments where the individual’s position description or day-to-day duties include any or all the following five areas:

1. Responsibility for curriculum: This entails responsibility for final or executive decisions that directly impact what should be taught to students and how it should be delivered, and what learning outcomes are expected, often following a philosophy of research, best practices, and continuous improvement providing equitable access to all students.
2. Responsibility for overseeing district or school improvement plan design or implementation: This entails responsibility for vision, methodology and execution of plans regarding student assessment, using student performance and school safety data to drive decision-making, using information technology to support improvement, professional development, and overall student achievement.
3. Oversight of instructional policies: This entails responsibility for the creation, modification, and recommendation of final policy regarding any aspect of how teachers implement, deliver, and support curriculum. Whether or not making specific financial decisions in support of these policies is part of the oversight role, this person has final decision-making responsibility for instruction.
4. Executive-level reporting on academic progress to a governing authority: This entails responsibility for providing updates, documentation, data, or presentations in an official or executive capacity to a governing body regarding progress on student learning goals.
5. Supervision and evaluation of direct reports responsible for instruction: This entails responsibility for providing executive leadership for employees who report to the individual and providing direction to establish work priorities and decision making. This involves evaluation of educator efficacy and general work performance of staff.

Note that a key component of the definition of an individual whose “primary responsibility is administering instructional programs” is that the individual has final or executive decision-making responsibility in one or more of the five areas.

An example of an individual who does not fit this definition is a teacher leader who does not have final or executive responsibility in any of the five areas but who assists another individual who has such responsibility.

Under MCL 388.1763, districts risk deductions in state aid for employing noncertificated or nonpermitted school administrators.