What is the Michigan Test for teacher Certification?
Section 1531` of Public Act 451 (1976) as amended by Public Act 267 (1986), Public Act 282 (1992), and Public Act 289 (1995) mandates teacher testing as one aspect of Michigan's teacher certification requirements. The purpose of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) is to help ensure that individuals seeking certification have the necessary basic skills and content knowledge to perform effectively in Michigan Schools.

If I have never held a teaching certificate in any state, what tests will I be required to take to be eligible for a Michigan teaching certificate?
Basic Skills Test. Candidates for teacher certification in Michigan must pass the Basic Skills test. Candidates from in-state teacher preparation programs for Michigan provisional teaching certification must take the Basic Skills test before enrolling in student teaching. Some colleges and universities require a passing score on the Basic Skills test for admonition into a teacher preparation program. Information about requirements for admission to teacher preparation programs should be requested from individual institutions.

Elementary Education Test. Candidates for Michigan provisional elementary teaching certification must pass the Elementary Education test. Candidates who meet all the requirements for elementary education and choose to take, in addition to the Basic Skills test, only the Elementary Education test will (if both tests are passed) be eligible to teach grades K-5 (all subjects) and grades 6, 7, and 8 (all subjects , in a self-contained classroom only). Candidates for elementary certification who, in addition to passing the Basic Skills and Elementary Education tests, choose to take (and pass) subject-area tests in their major and /or minor area(s) of study will be eligible to teach grades K-5 (all subjects), grades K-8 (all subjects, in a self-contained classroom), and grades 6, 7, and 8 (in their major and/or minor areas(s) of study).

Subject-Area Tests. subject-area tests correspond to endorsement areas in the Michigan certification structure. Candidates for secondary certification must pass the appropriate subject-area test in each major and/or minor area for which they are seeking endorsement. Candidates who qualify for a secondary certificate will be eligible to teach grades 7-12 in the areas of endorsement. Candidates for elementary certification may take subject-area tests in their major and/or minor areas(s) of study and qualify for the corresponding endorsements on their elementary teaching certificates. These endorsements will qualify a candidate to teach grades 6, 7, and 8 in these subject areas only. Subject-area tests may be taken at any time. Most students take the subject-area tests during the later part of their teacher preparation program; however, the tests must be passed prior to certification.

Out-of-State Candidates. Candidates from out-of-state teacher preparation programs must also complete the MTTC tests. These individuals must pass the Basic Skills and the subject-area and/or Elementary Education tests as described above. Candidates from out of state should seek additional information from an advisor or certification officer on their campus or from the Michigan Department of Education's Office of Professional Preparation and Certification.

What test will I be required to take if I hold a teaching certificate from another state?
Individuals who hold a teaching certificate from another state are not required to take the MTTC tests if they meet all of the following criteria.

They have successfully taught for at least three years in a position for which their out-of-state teaching certificate (from the other state) was valid.

They have earned, after initial certification in another state, at least 18 semester credit hours in a planned course of study at a state board-approved institution of higher education, or have earned, at any time, a state board-approved master's or doctoral degree.

They have met the elementary or secondary, as applicable, reading credit requirement established under state board rules.

An individual who holds a teaching certificate from another state and meets all of the requirements for a Michigan teaching certificate, but does NOT meet all three of the requirements listed above and has not passed the required Basic Skills and subject-area tests is eligible to receive a one-year nonrenewable temporary teaching certificate. The State Board of Education will not issue a teaching certificate after the expiration of the temporary teaching certificate unless the individual has passed the appropriate MTTC tests.

If I already have a Michigan teaching certificate, am I required to take any tests?
Teachers who hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate are required to take the MTTC only if they are applying to add a new endorsement to their certificate or if they are applying for elementary certification when they already have secondary certification. A certified teacher who qualifies and applies for a new endorsement or elementary-level certification will be required to pass only the test for the new endorsement (subject area) or the Elementary Education test or both, if applicable.

How were the tests prepared and what are they like?
There are two types of test: Basic Skills and subject area. The Basic Skills test consists of three components: reading, mathematics, and writing. The reading and mathematics portions each have about 45 multiple-choice questions. The writing portion of the Basic Skills test requires the candidate to provide a writing sample in resins to a given assignment. The subject-area tests consist of approximately 100 test questions in a multiple-choice format.

The content of both the Basic Skills and subject-area tests is defined by content frameworks, which consist of a set of test objectives an descriptive statements. The content has been validated by Michigan educators as relevant to classroom performance in Michigan schools. The content frameworks have been widely distributed throughout the state and are available from teacher preparation institutions of the Michigan Department of Education.

The content of the tests is based on curricula used in Michigan schools, including State Board of Education Core Curriculum and curriculum guidelines, and reflects the participation of more than 12,000 Michigan school teachers and college faculty members. These individuals participated in the review and validation of test objectives and test questions, and made recommendations upon which the passing scores for the tests were established. Since 1992, the Michigan Department of Education and committees of Michigan educators have been involved in a process of reviewing and updating test content. Each year, four to five subject-area tests are redesigned and updated.

Two legislatively mandated advisory committees serve in an advisory capacity to the State Board of Education non the development of the MTTC: the Teacher Examination Advisory Committee and the Standing Technical Advisory Council. Each of these groups is composed of Michigan teachers, administrators, school board members, and university/college faculty who advise on MTTC policy.

The result is a testing program rooted in Michigan classroom activities and validated for use in the state.

Where can I get assistance in preparing to take the MTTC?
The best sources of assistance in preparing for a test are Education Department personnel at Michigan colleges or universities. These individuals can direct prospective examinees to specific faculty and/or sources of information for review and study, and can discuss an individual's specific concerns. they can also help to find copies of the MTTC Registration Bulletin and the content objective for MTTC tests. The content frameworks are available on all campuses.

Study material for the Basic Skills test is contained in the MTTC Registration Bulletin.

Study material for the subject-area test (including Elementary Education) is contained in the MTTC composite study guides. Each of the eight composite study guides includes materials for related subject areas in Language Arts; Social Sciences; Mathematics and Sciences; Early and Elementary Education; Special Education; Foreign Languages; Technical and Vocational Education; and Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education.

The Study guides include general program information, test content objectives, an sample test questions for each of the included test fields. Study guides are available through the test registration process or by a separate order form that can be found in the registration bulletin.

Where can I get additional information about taking the tests?

The MTTC Registration Bulletin contains program and registration information, including test registration forms, policies, and fees; a list of test available within the program; test dates and sites (four times per year at eleven sites); general program information and policies; study guide materials for the Basic Skills test; and general test-taking suggestions. The registration bulletin is revised and reissued annually on an academic year calendar. It is available on the campuses of Michigan colleges and universities or, for out-of-state candidates, from the Michigan Department of Education.

Michigan institutions of higher education that prepare teachers can also provide information about the testing program, especially in terms of the test(s) a candidate should take in order to be recommended for certification or for a given endorsement. The other major source of information is the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Professional Preparation and Certification, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing MI 48909. For question about Michigan teacher certification requirements, call (517) 373-3310. For questions about the MTTC, call (517) 335-4301.