Reading Laws

Reading methods law (1983)

The 1983 reading methods law requires elementary teachers to complete six credit hours of reading methods course work; secondary teachers must complete three credit hours, appropriate to their certification grade levels.

This is included in a teacher's undergraduate education program if they completed their teacher education program in Michigan after 1983. Teachers who completed their initial teacher education programs in Michigan before 1983 or those who completed their teacher education programs at an out-of-state institution need to provide verification to the Michigan Department of Education that they have completed the 1983 reading methods requirement.

Reading diagnostics law (2009)

Effective June 29, 2009, any teacher who does not yet have a professional certificate is required to complete a three credit hour course of study, with appropriate field experiences, in diagnosis, remediation of reading disabilities and differentiated instruction in order to qualify for a professional certificate.

The reading diagnostic course LS 5160 Professional Symposium in Reading at WMU will cover this requirement and may be counted toward the six hour requirement toward the professional or renewal. Teachers who already have a professional certificate or continuing certificate are exempt from this requirement.

Please be aware that the new reading diagnostic law is in addition to the 1983 reading methods requirement.