All Subjects Endorsed Teachers: Placement Guidance

Michigan has historically issued different education endorsements designating the grade levels or settings for which a teacher was prepared. These endorsements are maintained on the certificate regardless of when they were earned. 

Some endorsements contain “all subjects” designations and authorize the holder to teach all subjects within the grade levels indicated. However, the teacher may not be appropriately prepared to teach in a program outside a self-contained classroom setting. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) recommends that districts only assign teachers with the “all subjects” designations to departmentalized courses, or a specialist program outside the self-contained classroom setting (e.g., music, visual arts, physical education, health, reading, technology, library media), if they hold the specific endorsement for the departmentalize assignment. This practice may have a significant impact on student achievement. Please utilize the Quick Reference: Courses That Can Be Taught guidance to identify eligible assignments for teachers in the endorsed subject area(s) within departmentalized settings.

The following descriptions should guide the placement of teachers based upon the endorsement held:

• K-5 All Subjects; K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG) endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in grades K-5, both self-contained and departmentalized assignments. Holders of these endorsements may also be assigned to teach all subjects in self-contained classroom settings up through and including grade 8. Certificates with this type of endorsement may also hold specific subject area endorsements, typically for grades K-8 or 6-8. 
• K-8 All Subjects (ZC) endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in grades K-8. This includes both self-contained and departmentalized classroom settings or assignments. Certificates with this type of endorsement may also hold specific subject area endorsements, typically for grade 9. 
• 7-8 All Subjects (ZK) endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in grades 7-8. This includes both self-contained and departmentalized classroom settings or assignments. Certificates with this type of endorsement will also hold specific subject area endorsements, typically for grades 6-12. 
• General Elementary K-6 (ZE) endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in grades K-6. While not explicitly stated in the name, this includes “all subjects” in both self-contained and departmentalized classroom settings. Certificates with this type of endorsement typically hold the 7-8 All Subjects (ZK) endorsement and possibly specific subject area endorsements, typically for grades 6-12.

Recognizing staffing limitations, teachers with these “all subjects” designations should only be placed in departmentalized or specialized assignments if they have had appropriate coursework, professional development, have passed a state or nationally recognized subject area assessment (e.g., Michigan Test for Teacher Certification, Praxis), or have completed a locally determined portfolio which further illustrates that their skills and content knowledge are appropriate for the assignment.

Early Childhood Programs

There are specific staffing requirements for early childhood staffing depending on the program. Holders of the Early Childhood PK – General and Special Education (ZS) and Early Childhood Education PK-K (ZA) endorsements alone are not authorized to teach the following assignments: 

• K-12 special education without also holding a specific special education endorsement, e.g., Learning Disabilities (SM) K-12 and Emotional Impairment (SE) K-12.
• Elementary K-5 without also holding either the General Elementary K-6 (ZE), K-8 All Subjects (ZC), or K-5 All Subjects; K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG) endorsement.

For additional information on early childhood, Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), and/or special education placements, contact the MDE office with funding and program oversight.

Assignment Guidance

The following table provides examples of eligible teaching assignments for elementary endorsed teachers. For some assignments, specific endorsements are required.