Educationally Speaking - Issue 3 | May 2020

Michigan Department of Education sent this bulletin at 05/19/2020 10:36 AM EDT

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Issue 3 | May 2020

Educator Prep Institution
Performance Score

The 2020 Educator Preparation Institution (EPI) Performance Score results were released to each traditional preparation institution. All institutions have met the minimum cut-score to be classified as “satisfactory.” Due to ongoing satisfactory performance over multiple years, no institutions are in the accountability (or continuous improvement) pathway.

Title II, Section 208(a) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) requires that each state establish criteria and identify and assist EPIs that are not performing at a satisfactory level. States must also report annually to the United States Department of Education (USED) a statement of their procedures, along with a list of low-performing and at-risk teacher preparation institutions. This score is calculated using pass rate data from the Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification, satisfaction surveys from teacher candidates and their supervisors, and educator effectiveness labels from program graduates in their first three years of teaching.

Congratulations, Michigan's 2020-21
Regional Teachers of the Year!

Ten teachers from across the state received a welcome surprise when they learned from their school communities that they were each named a 2020-2021 Regional Teacher of the Year (RTOY) by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

Video of each RTOY’s surprise announcement, as well as details about each of the teachers can be found on MDE's website.

Education-Related Executive Orders

On Thursday, April 30, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-65 which updated a number of actions that affect educator certification, evaluation and licensure.

MDE is diligently working 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.

Temporary One-Year Certificate

Candidates who have completed a preparation program, completed all institutional and MDE requirements, and who are unable to take the Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC) due to test center closures may apply for a temporary, one-year certificate. Right now, we are verifying information provided by our preparation providers to determine who is eligible for the temporary certificate and will be reaching out to candidates directly. If you think you are eligible, you should contact your institution.

Educator Evaluation

Educator evaluation requirements have been waived for the 2019-2020 school year for some educators. Educators who are in probationary status or who are tenured and have an individualized development plan must be evaluated. The absence of an evaluation will not adversely affect an educator's ability to renew or progress their certificate. Learn more.

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.

Please see the April edition of this e-newsletter for other important information that affects your licensure as a result of COVID-19.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice knows the powerful effect teachers have on their students and our world. He’s experienced it first-hand, as a student, as a local educator, and now as Michigan’s state superintendent.

In our latest #proudMIeducator video, celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week and Month, Dr. Rice reflects upon the power of the education profession – sharing his experience as a student and the influence teachers have had on his life; why educators continue to be such an important part our communities; and ways in which we can collectively work to rebuild the pride associated with the profession.

Do you know a Proud Michigan Educator who would be a great choice for a future #proudMIeducator video? We want to know! Download our form to submit a nominee!

DPPD Form Reminder - Submission and Signature Requirements

Educators utilizing District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) for certificate renewal must have the appropriate forms signed by their Principal or School Designee before final submission and approval of the renewal.

DPPD accrued prior to July 1, 2020 may be used for educator recertification by following the steps outlined in the DPPD: Logging it into MOECS guidance document. Be sure to have your DPPD form verified and signed by the appropriate person at your employing school district. If your district has already submitted DPPD for SCECHs, just be sure to complete the SCECH survey you received via email.

School Administrators Must Hold Certification/Permit

As interview season and staff placement for next school year ramps up, it's important to remember that state law requires all school administrators hold a Michigan School Administrator Certificate or Permit before employment.

School Administrators who are "grand-parented" must obtain an Experience-Based School Administrator Certificate. All others have six months to begin and three years to complete an approved-program that leads to certification. Learn more.

DPPD as SCECHs Starting July 1

MDE is working to streamline the educator certificate renewal process to make it easier for both educators and districts. Beginning July 1, 2020, District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) for recertification must be entered by the district into the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) as State Continuing Education Credit Hours (SCECHs). This process replaces individual educator entry and the requirement for districts to review and sign each educator’s individual form. Learn more.

Upcoming Opportunities - Professional Learning and Events

SCECH Coordinator Training

Virtual Meeting - June 2, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. EST

An additional two-hour virtual SCECH Coordinator Training has been added for any SCECH Coordinators who have yet been able to attend.

Register via Zoom

Question:

"How can substitute teachers earn professional development credits toward their teacher certificate renewal?"

Answer:

There are many options for meeting certification renewal and progression requirements, including accessing information in MDE's State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH) Catalog. However, the current SCECH catalog does not provide a feature to sort by cost or delivery method (e.g., online, blended).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of Michigan’s SCECH program sponsors are temporarily offering free and low-cost online professional learning options that will qualify for certificate renewal and progression. MDE has developed this curated list, which is updated regularly, to make it easier to find online resources until updates to the system can be made.