Michigan law requires schools to hire and employ properly certified and endorsed teachers (MCL 380.1231 and 380.1233). In order to systematically address needed exceptions to law, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has established Administrative Rules in accordance with R 340.1783 of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE).
A school district or nonpublic school may choose to utilize the alternate route through the approval process as defined in the Federal Regulation 34 C.F.R. §300.156 (c)(2) to employ an individual or teacher who does not hold the appropriate endorsement. This approval process is considered an alternative route in these federal regulations.
Approvals are granted to an employing school or school district. They are not held by an individual. Verification of an issued approval is completed either through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) or the MOECS public verification site.
Michigan Department of Education
Office of Special Education
P.O. Box 30008
Lansing, MI 48909
