Teacher Preparation Program Approval

Current understanding

Michigan regulates the approval of teacher preparation programs under the Revised School Code (1976 PA 451). HB5646 (passed chamber) proposes adding Sec. 1531k to establish additional statutory requirements for the approval of such programs, affecting how universities and alternative providers train prospective Michigan teachers.

Evidence log

• 2026-05-12 — Education: special education; Michigan special education accountability act; establish. Amends secs. 1310d, 1311, 1526, 1527, 1531 & 1711 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1310d et seq.) & adds secs. 1531k, 1537, 1712 & 1810.: cross-connection with special-education-accountability-act: SB 952 touches teacher preparation for special educators, which connects to the broader teacher preparation program approval framework. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-21 — Education: other; certain requirements for the approval of teacher preparation programs; create. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1531l.: HB5646 was enacted as PA 27 of 2026 with immediate effect, adding Sec. 1531l (not 1531k as earlier drafts indicated) to 1976 PA 451 to establish statutory requirements for approval of teacher preparation programs — moving this policy from proposed to law. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-06-18 — Education: special education; at least 1 teacher trained in Orton-Gillingham approach principles; require each school district to employ. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1253.: cross-connection with special-education-orton-gillingham-requirement: HB5081’s district-employment mandate for Orton-Gillingham-trained teachers implies upstream demand on teacher preparation programs to certify educators in this literacy method. (novelty: 2)
• 2025-12-11 — Education: teachers and administrators; teacher licensing examination requirements; provide for. Amends sec. 1531 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1531).: cross-connection with teacher-licensing-examination-requirements: Examination requirements (Sec. 1531) and preparation program approval (Sec. 1531k) are complementary components of Michigan’s teacher credentialing framework — one tests candidates, the other approves the institutions that train them. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-06-16 — Education: teachers and administrators; certain professional development courses; prohibit. Amends sec. 1248 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1248).: HB6080 (introduced) amends Sec. 1248 of 1976 PA 451 to prohibit certain professional development courses for teachers and administrators — a related in-service credentialing constraint distinct from but adjacent to preparation-program approval standards. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-03 — Education: teachers and administrators; interim teaching certification process; modify. Amends sec. 1531i of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1531i).: SB0989 (passed chamber) amends Sec. 1531i of 1976 PA 451 to modify the interim teaching certification process for teachers and administrators — an adjacent credentialing pathway that runs parallel to the preparation-program approval changes proposed in HB5646. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-07-03 — Education: teachers and administrators; completion of certain training for K-5 teachers; require. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1531k.: HB5697 (passed chamber) proposes adding Sec. 1531k to 1976 PA 451 to require K-5 teachers to complete certain training — a companion in-service mandate alongside preparation-program approval changes; note the same section number 1531k is also cited for HB5646, suggesting these may be related or overlapping legislative vehicles. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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