NATIVE AMER. LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION S.B. 1014: FLOOR SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]




Senate Bill 1014 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Mike Prusi
Committee: Education

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised School Code to permit a noncertificated teacher to teach a Native American tribal language and culture class under certain circumstances. Specifically, the bill would permit the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a federally recognized Native American tribe, the board of a school district, or the board of directors of a public school academy (PSA) authorizing the Superintendent of Public Instruction to issue a three-year letter of approval or continuing approval to allow the tribe, district, or PSA to use teachers who did not possess a valid Michigan teaching certificate to teach a Native American tribal language and culture class.


The MOU would have to require a noncertificated teacher to demonstrate mastery of the tribal language through either a credential issued by a federally recognized tribe, or another means considered suitable by the MDE. The MOU also would have to include requirements for renewal or continuing approval of the noncertificated teacher as established by the tribe, school district, or PSA in collaboration with the MDE.

A Native American tribe, school district, or PSA could apply credits earned by a pupil in a Native American tribal language taught by a noncertificated teacher for any purpose to the same extent as if taught by a certificated teacher, including credit toward completion of the credit requirements concerning a language other than English. (The Code requires a pupil, beginning with those entering 3rd grade in 2006, to complete at least two credits in a language other than English or equivalent course work or other learning experiences before receiving a high school diploma.)


Proposed MCL 380.1531f Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker

FISCAL IMPACT
The Department of Education would face some small administrative costs in establishing the process for approving noncertificated teachers to teach a Native American tribal language and culture class.


To the extent that the use of such noncertificated teachers differed in costs from the use of certificated teachers in similar fields, this legislation could change the costs faced by districts, though likely minimally.


Date Completed: 5-24-10 Fiscal Analyst: Kathryn Summers

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. sb1014/0910