Adopted 1984

LWVMI supports:

I. Teacher Preparation and Professional Development
A. The State of Michigan should: 1. Have responsibility for a system of professional development for educators. 2. Develop a standard for approval of teacher education programs in Michigan institutions of higher education. 3. Periodically review and evaluate the curricula in Michigan institutions of teacher education.
B. The professional development staffs of the Michigan Department of Education, the intermediate and local school districts, the institutions of higher education and the professional associations should have a role in the professional development of educa tors.
C. An educator's professional development should be dynamic- a continuing career-long process subject to periodic review for maintaining valid certification.
D. The state system of review of teacher education programs and a state system of certification of educators should be complimentary parts of a state system of professional development of educators.

II. Certification of Educators
A. LWVMI supports the following: 1. The State of Michigan should develop standards for initial and continuing certification of educators. 2. Initial certification should require a demonstrated ability to meet an established standard for pedagogical skills, mastery of subject area and knowledge of the developmental learning stages of children and youth. Continuing certification should requir e a demonstration of continued ability to meet standards established by the state. 3. The State Board of Education, the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan institutions for teacher education and the professional associations, with input from local school boards and concerned citizens, should have a role in establishing the standa rds for certification.
B. LWVMI supports the following: 1. The State of Michigan should have the authority to establish rules and regulations regarding the certification of teachers. 2. The State should provide for certification of educators of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students. 3. The certification system should include a separate middle school/junior high school certification level. 4. Certification endorsements should be available and required for all subjects taught in middle school through high school. 5. Certification endorsements should be related to developmental growth levels. 6. State certification should require a pre-kindergarten endorsement for educators with pre-kindergarten educational responsibilities. 7. State certification should restrict assignment of middle school through high school educators to areas of major/minor endorsement.
C. The State of Michigan should set specific certification endorsement requirements for administrators with direct responsibilities for education of students.