DEFINITIONS

Below list provides the list of Definitions that will be useful while applying for certificate:

Alternative teacher preparation program   A nontraditional teacher preparation program which allows coursework to be waived based on prior education and experience. Approved college/university   A college or university that is approved by the State of Michigan or another state, U.S. territory, or recognized Canadian province to prepare educators for certification/licensure in one or more of the following areas: elementary or secondary teacher, occupational (vocational) teacher, school psychologist, school counselor, and school administrator. Approved master’s or higher degree   A master’s or higher degree completed at a teacher preparation institution in a field related to education or in a teachable subject area in Michigan. (A master’s or higher degree in religion, law, medicine, or other content area inappropriate for teaching at the K-12 level is not acceptable.) Approved planned program   A program of coursework completed at one college/university (or accepted in transfer by the college/university) in a specific content area appropriate to the field of education or in a content area that is a teachable subject area in Michigan. Diagnostic reading course   A course with appropriate field experiences in the diagnosis and remediation of reading disabilities and differentiated instruction. Endorsement or Vocational Area   Is a teachable subject area or specialty area that requires completion of an approved planned program in the specific subject area (e.g., social studies, mathematics, or reading) or specialty area (e.g., special education, bilingual education, middle level, or guidance and counseling). After 1992, passage of the appropriate MTTC content area test (if test is available) is required for the endorsement. Endorsements on teaching and occupational certificates authorize the teacher to provide instruction in that specific subject area or specialty area in the grade level specified on the certificate. Endorsements on school administrator certificates specify the administrative area in which the school administrator is certified. In-state candidate   Coursework was completed at a Michigan college/university Instructional day   Teaching ½ or more of the employing school district’s/school’s recognized instructional day within the applicant’s content area and grade level of certification. Teaching for less than ½ of the employing school district’s/school’s recognized instructional day is counted as ½ of an instructional day. MTTC   Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Occupational Education Institution   A college/university which is approved by the State of Michigan or another state, U.S. territory, or recognized Canadian province to educate individuals in a program that qualifies them for occupational (vocational) certification. Out-of-state candidate   Coursework was completed at a college/university outside the State of Michigan. Reading methods coursework   Courses specifically in the area of teaching reading at the elementary or secondary level, e.g., reading in the content area. Regionally Accredited college/university   A college or university that is accredited by one of the following agencies: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; New England Association of Schools and Colleges; North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and Western Association of Schools and Colleges. SCECHs   Continuing education units that are awarded upon completion of programs, workshops, conferences, etc. that have been approved by the Michigan State Board of Education. SCECHs can be used to renew a professional education certificate, an occupational education certificate, a school administrator certificate, a school psychologist certificate, and a school counselor license. Three SB-CEUs equal one semester hour of credit. School   A nonpublic school School district   An intermediate school district, a local school district, or a public school academy. Successful teaching experience   Employment in the applicant’s content area and grade level of certification that has been rated satisfactory by the employing school district/school. Teacher preparation institution   A college/university which is approved by the State of Michigan or another state, U.S. territory, or recognized Canadian province to educate teachers in a program that qualifies them for teacher certification. Teacher preparation program   A program of coursework that is completed at a teacher preparation institution that prepares individuals to teach at the elementary or secondary grade level and that is required for teacher certification. The program includes, teaching methods and pedagogy coursework, content area coursework, and student teaching. Vocational education program   A program of coursework that is completed at an occupational education institution that prepares an individual to teach a specific occupational field in a state-approved vocational education classroom that is funded by state or federal vocational education funds.