 Issue 2 | April 2020
Education-Related Executive Orders
On Thursday, April 2, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-35 which included a number of actions that affect educator certification and licensure.
The Michigan Department of Education is working diligently to determine how best to change procedures to implement these directives. Many of the mechanisms to implement the directives will take time to enact. More information about the process will be provided to affected educators as it becomes available.
IMPORTANT: Be sure your email address is up-to-date in MOECS to receive important notifications regarding YOUR certificate.
Educators: Professional Learning Reduction for 2020 Certificate Renewal
Educators must still renew their certificate if it expires June 30, 2020. Professional learning requirements for educators renewing certificates this year have been reduced. When you log-in to MOECS for renewal/progression you will see thirty completed hours entitled “MDE Professional Learning for Executive Order 2020-35” added to the State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) tab. This will reduce the total 150 hours of professional learning required by 30, bringing the total you need to earn to 120.
School Counselors: Professional Learning Reduction for 2020 Certificate Renewal
School Counselors must still renew their certificate if it expires June 30, 2020. Professional learning requirements for school counselors renewing certificates and licenses expiring June 30, 2020 have been reduced. When you log-in to MOECS for renewal/progression you will see fifty completed hours entitled “MDE Professional Learning for Executive Order 2020-35” added to the State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) tab. Twenty (20) of the hours were added to the career category; twenty-five (25) hours were added to the college category; five (5) hours were added to the military category. This reduces the total 150 hours of professional learning required by 50, bringing the total necessary earn to 100 and fulfills the requirements for the specific professional learning previously required by law.
Temporary Authorizations Extended
Temporary Authorizations issued to teachers between January 1, 2019 and April 1, 2020 have been extended through June 30, 2021 to ensure that educators have time to meet the requirements for full certification. Affected educators should have received an email confirming the extension. Please log-in to MOECS and reprint your Temporary Authorization with the new expiration date.
Temporary Authorizations issued to school counselors seeking a license will also be extended very soon. School counselors will have until June 30, 2021 to complete the requirements for licensure. Affected school counselors will receive an email confirming this extension. Once received, please log-in to MOECS and reprint your Temporary Authorization with the new expiration date.
CPR/First Aid Waiver
CPR/First Aid requirements for obtaining a Michigan Certification have been temporarily waived. Certificate applications that are on hold waiting for CPR/First Aid documentation, ONLY, are in the process of being reviewed for approval. Educators do not need to contact MDE and will receive a direct email when the certificate is issued.
Daily Substitute Permit Extensions
In support of schools employing non-certified individuals under Daily Substitute Permits, the department will waive the time limitations for Daily Substitute Permits for this academic year. Districts will not need to apply for extensions. Educators teaching with a Daily Substitute Permit may exceed the 90-consecutive calendar day limitation in the same classroom or assignment for this academic year.
District Requirements for Professional Learning Reduced for Academic Year 2019-20
Although districts are still encouraged to provide professional learning to support educators, the legal requirement to provide five days of professional development under MCL 380.1527 has been eliminated. Additionally, districts are not required to provide extra days of professional learning for teachers in their third year as required by MCL 380.1526.
In response, MDE has curated a list of free and reduced cost online professional learning educators may use to obtain state continuing education clock hours for certificate renewal. (Note: This list is updated weekly as new programs are approved. The link does not change.)
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