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Certification and Permit Responsibilities

Certification and Permit Responsibilities

Overview of Certification and Permit Responsibilities

Substitute permits and temporary credentials are needed to allow individuals without an appropriate certification and/or endorsement to work in a temporary teaching capacity in Michigan PK-12 schools. Michigan’s system of permits ensure that schools can fill temporary teaching positions while maintaining minimum standards for those individuals supporting Michigan students. They also provide a pathway for individuals to potentially pursue full teaching certification or certified teachers to pursue additional endorsement. Utilization of permits supports both districts and MDE with better understanding local shortages, allowing MDE to gauge local shortages and help build additional supports for permanent staffing solutions.

Knowing when a permit is required is vital since ensuring appropriately prepared and endorsed teachers are assigned to teach in Michigan’s classrooms is critical to student achievement. An appropriate placement is not determined in isolation and the development of a team knowledgeable in curriculum, the course, career/college connections, data reporting, and hiring practices are essential. When in doubt, pull a permit!

 

What: Teacher Certification

  • Individuals must hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate with the appropriate endorsement(s) for the grade level(s) and content area(s) for their assignment.

Why

  • To provide students with the highest quality learning opportunities, it is crucial for educators to be well prepared for both the content areas and grade levels they are assigned.

How

  • The local team will determine desired learning outcomes for each course offered.
  • The team will determine the appropriate SCED code for the course, leading to the required endorsement for the course.
  • Local leadership will verify an educator holding the required endorsement is providing student instruction or that an appropriate permit is held while the educator earns the correct endorsement.

 

What: Teacher Permits

  • Individuals assigned to classroom instruction must be appropriately certified. If the individual does not hold the appropriate certificate, they will need a permit.

Why

  • Permits are required for compliance with both law and administrative rule. State aid or FTE deductions may occur if individuals are not appropriately credentialed.

How

  • Permits and permit renewals are applied for by a school/district designee in MOECS. The permit must have an issue date prior to placement in the assignment.
  • The school/district has the ultimate responsibility of verifying permits are applied for accurately, renewal requirements have been met (if applicable) and have been issued. The school/district is also responsible for knowing expiration dates of permits and validity periods.
  • The annual one-time permit application fee of $45 must be paid for the first permit request annually; subsequent permits of the same type issued for the same individual within the academic year will not have a fee. A very inexpensive option to avoid large financial penalties!
     
 

Critical takeaway

It is the responsibility of the employing school/district to verify that all individuals providing or supervising instructional programs are appropriately credentialed or have a valid permit. Utilization of the system of permits and available temporary credentials supports student instruction, human resources and staffing needs, as well as data necessary for informed support and decision-making.

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