For what?
For the first Basic Administrator Certificate issued by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) since Governor Granholm signed Public Act 335 of 2006. Framed and hanging outside my office door at Saginaw Valley for all to see -- I am so proud of it.
Why?
Because to me it means that it takes a special person to be the principal of a school. It signifies an accumulation of skills, talents and experience that will make a difference in the teaching and learning for Michigan students. Of course, we all knew that - although it took us a while to convince the politicians in Lansing.
Principals who had an administrator certificate under the previous law that expired during the time that there was no certification in Michigan: These principals need to go to the MDE website and navigate to the Office of Professional Preparation/Administrator Certification. Complete the application online and submit to MDE. After a review of records, the applicant will receive a bill for $125. Following payment of the bill, the certificate will be issued.
Principals who had an administrator certificate or license issued in another state:
These administrators need to follow the directions in #1 above except that they choose the application for an applicant who has an out-of-state certificate.
Principals and others who completed a degree in the principalship and other areas between 1995 and August 15, 2006:
They need to contact the university that granted the degree to see if it was one approved by NCATE during the time when there was no certification in Michigan. If they completed an approved program, they qualify for the appropriate certification and can apply to the university to have their name put on a roster to be submitted to MDE. These graduates will receive a bill from MDE and, upon payment of the bill, their certificate.
Principals and others who graduated after August 15, 2006:
These graduates need to check with their university to see if the program they completed is approved under the Program Standards for the Preparation of School Principals adopted by the Michigan State Board of Education in February, 2004. If they completed an approved program, the university can submit their names on a roster for certification and the same process as in #3 above occurs.