HB 5141 Summary

• Authorizes cyber schools to operate with teachers holding appropriate state certification or engaged under alternative certification provisions, requiring at least 1,098 instructional hours annually and detailed teacher responsibilities for instruction, diagnosis, assessment, and reporting.

• Expands noncertificated teacher employment in career and technical education programs and industrial technology education, allowing teachers with high school diplomas, relevant professional experience, and subject matter expertise to teach for up to 10 years with superintendent approval for extensions.

• Requires school counselors renewing credentials beginning February 6, 2020 to complete at least 25 hours of professional development in college preparation and selection, and at least 25 hours in career counseling including minimum 5 hours on military career options and skilled trades.

• Establishes rigorous teacher performance evaluation systems using multiple rating categories (highly effective, effective, minimally effective, ineffective) with 40% of evaluations based on student growth data beginning 2018-2019, classroom observations, and development plans for improvement.

• Allows out-of-state certified teachers with 3 years of successful teaching experience and 18 semester credit hours of postgraduate study to obtain Michigan professional education certificates without passing subject area examinations.