Teachers in Michigan are governed by both federal and state laws. Below are some questions and answers about the different laws that will apply to those who are selected to be Fellows in this program.

What is NCLB?

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is a federal education act (2001) that influences education and educators in all public schools in the nation. It is the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and was signed into law by President Bush on January 8, 2002. NCLB requires all teachers of core academic subject areas be Highly Qualified. 

What are core academic subject areas?

CORE ACADEMIC SUBJECT AREAS AS DEFINED BY NCLB include: English, Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Languages, Civics and Government, Economics, Arts, History, and Geography.

NOTE: For purposes of NCLB the core subject area “science” includes biology, chemistry, physical science, physics, and earth/space science.        

Under Michigan law only the broad science endorsement (DI) is appropriate for teaching general science classes. A teacher holding only the Biology (DA) endorsement cannot be assigned to teach an integrated or general science class.

What does it mean to be highly qualified?

“HIGHLY QUALIFIED” MEANS: When you become certified in Michigan you will be highly qualified in the subject area of the major or major equivalent reviewed by the university and in which you take and pass the MTTC test. A highly qualified teacher holds a least a bachelor’s degree and is certified, endorsed, or authorized to teach the subject, and has one or more of the following:

• Major in the content/subject (or equivalent of 30 semester credit hours). All middle and secondary certified teachers who hold a major in their endorsement area are considered Highly Qualified for that content/ subject.

• Passed a rigorous state test in the content/subject. All middle (6-8) and secondary (9-12) certified teachers who have taken and passed the MTTC for the endorsements listed on their certificates are considered Highly Qualified in those areas.

School districts are responsible for assuring that courses be taught by highly qualified teachers. “With respect to certification and Highly Qualified, districts must remember the three “Cs” (NCLB Update 2009):

• Class title

• Content of course

• Certification of teacher

The title of the class must accurately reflect the content/subject matter taught in that class; and the teacher must be appropriately certificated for that teaching assignment.” 

Can I take the MTTC test and become endorsed in that area?

No. Taking and passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) subject matter test alone does not add an endorsement to a Michigan teaching certificate. In order to add an endorsement, a teacher must complete a state-approved endorsement program, including coursework.

Can I take a minor and the MTTC test and become endorsed in that area?

Yes, if you already have a teachable major and have sufficient credit hours for a minor and pass the MTTC test in your minor area. Many school districts prefer that secondary teachers have more than one subject that they can teach. GVSU will not require that Fellows have a teachable minor and take and pass the MTTC test in that minor to obtain an additional endorsement. However, having a teachable minor endorsement is recommended, especially if you are seeking endorsement with a major in a single science discipline. Having endorsements in both a major and minor can give you more than one subject that you can teach and greater flexibility when seeking a teaching position. Secondary teachable minors offered at GVSU that Fellows can select from are listed below.  (Click on the minor to go to the GTC advising guide for that minor.)\

Mathematics	Biology
Chemistry	Physics
Earth/Space Science	Health Education
English	Spanish
French	German
History	Geography
Political Science	Economics
Physical Education	Psychology
Sociology