Do not lose your certification

More than 60 DPS teachers lost their jobs at the end of the 2006-07school year because they failed to meet the requirements for state certification.

According to the recently amended Michigan School Code, teachers who fail to meet the Code’s certification requirements are decertified by the state. Decertified teachers lose their job as well as the system-wide seniority accumulated in the district.

Remember: Even if the teacher is rehired, that teacher starts at the first-year level in seniority.

 -- A Provisional Teaching Certificate will not be renewed unless the individual  successfully completes within the first six years of employment at least a three-credit course of study with appropriate field experience in diagnosis, remediation of reading disabilities and differentiation.

--  An individual shall not advance to the Professional Education Certificate unless he or she successfully completes the three-credit course of study mentioned above.

According to Code, newly certified teachers must complete 18 hours of education courses in their first six years. (The reading requirements can be fulfilled as part of the 18 hours.)

Teachers with more than six years’ experience must complete six hours of education classes every five years.

The DFT Web site, www.dft231.com, has a link to allow teachers to access their certification information. You can also go directly to the Michigan Department of Education Web site at www.mdoe.state.mi.us/teachercert

The certification requirements are available online at www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0118.htm