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)
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An initial request for the School Administrator Permit, Full-year Basic Permit, Full-year Shortage Permit and Expert Permit requires the school to maintain documentation and certify an appropriately certificated educator is not available for the assignment.
The district has sole discretion to determine whether a certified individual is available for the assignment. It has always been the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) position that, as a best practice, positions are posted and widely distributed, and candidates equitably reviewed prior to hiring personnel. This practice ensures the best possible candidate for the position has been selected. However, if a district determines that a qualified and certified educator is not available, the district may take advantage of the flexibilities offered through the permit system.
Reasons an appropriately certified individual is not available for assignment may include, but are not limited to, the following:
The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) specifies that the employing superintendent shall certify that the district conducted a search for fully qualified personnel and that no certified teacher who holds full approval or endorsement for the position was available at the time of the assignment. Available at the time of the assignment means available for hire. As with any other employment search, when a fully qualified candidate has applied, and after interviews has been determined to not meet district criteria, the district is not obligated to hire the candidate. Refer to Rule 340.1783 and the Office of Special Education for additional guidance. If a district determines that a qualified and certified educator is not available, the district may take advantage of the flexibilities offered through the approvals or permit process for a special education assignment.
The hired individual must hold a valid Michigan certificate, or the fee must be paid, and permit issued to the district, prior to the first day the individual is in the assignment.
An individual cannot apply for his/her own permit. An approved district/school employee with permit application access in the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) must apply.
