Secondary Teacher Preparation: Michigan

Analysis of Michigan's policies

Michigan requires that its secondary teacher candidates pass a content test to teach any core secondary subjects.  Unfortunately, Michigan permits a significant loophole to this important policy by allowing both general science and general social studies licenses, without requiring subject-matter testing for each subject area within these disciplines (see Goals 1-G and 1-H).

Further, to add an additional field to a secondary license, teachers must also pass a content test. However, as stated above, Michigan cannot guarantee content knowledge in each specific subject for those secondary teachers who add general science or general social studies endorsements. 

Citation

Teacher Certification Reference Manual http://www.michigan.gov/documents/cert_update_manual_2006_171904_7.pdf

Recommendations for Michigan

Require subject-matter testing for all secondary teacher candidates.
Michigan wisely requires subject-matter tests for most secondary teachers but should address any loopholes that undermine this policy (see Goals 1-G and 1-H). This applies to the addition of endorsements as well.

State response to our analysis

Michigan recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis. The state expressed frustration with the term "loophole" because both the integrated science and the social studies endorsement standards include required content from the single disciplines within science and social studies.

Last word

Goals 1-G and 1-H discuss why NCTQ finds the integrated science and social studies endorsements problematic.