ITC ISSUANCE DEADLINE; EXTEND S.B. 518:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 518 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Darrin Camilleri
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 22 (School Personnel Certificates and Permits) of the Revised School Code to extend, from July 21, 2024, to July 21, 2027, the date after which the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) could no longer issue an interim teaching certificate (ITC) to an individual to teach special education.
BRIEF RATIONALE
According to the US Department of Education, Michigan is experiencing a critical shortage of special education teachers for grades pre-K through 12. In 2020, Public Act 316 attempted to address this issue by establishing a process for an individual to earn an ITC with a special education endorsement. An ITC is a Michigan-issued teaching certificate that allows the holder to teach full-time in a Michigan school while enrolled in an expedited teacher preparation program. According to testimony before the Senate Committee on Education, the program appears to be working; however, it has not been implemented long enough to gather solid data.[1] Accordingly, it has been suggested that the program's sunset be extended.
Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State or local units of governments. Current costs for ITCs for the State and local units of governments would continue until July 21, 2027.
Date Completed: 10-11-23 Fiscal Analyst: Cory Savino, PhD
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.