David Ward, speech-language pathologist
Use this page to find Michigan's open early childhood special education teacher jobs and the state rules on ECSE qualifications, class sizes, and pay.
Qualifying as an ECSE teacher
Under the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), an approved or endorsed early childhood special education teacher must provide preschool special education programs. Rule R 340.1795 accepts any one of three backgrounds:
- endorsements in both special education and early childhood education
- a Michigan teaching certificate with a fully approved special education endorsement, plus a major or minor in early childhood education or child growth and development
- an endorsement in early childhood general and special education
The Michigan Department of Education lists that last credential in its program standards as Early Childhood-General and Special Education (Birth-Kindergarten; ZN). Teachers with full approval for preprimary impaired children also count as fully approved ECSE teachers if they hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate.
If a district cannot find a certificated ECSE teacher, the department may issue a full-year permit under R 340.1783a to a candidate with a bachelor's degree and 15 semester hours of professional education credit. The permit expires June 30 and cannot be renewed for the same person.
Preschool programs and services
MARSE separates classroom programs from services. A program (R 340.1754) serves children from 2 years 6 months through 5 years of age, must be available for at least 360 clock hours and 144 days of instruction, and caps a class at 12 children with one teacher and one aide. The teacher can carry up to 24 children in total.
Services (R 340.1755) run at least 72 clock hours a year in an early childhood, school, community, or family setting. Related services staff work under the ECSE teacher's educational direction. When a preschooler with a disability attends a general program, the IEP team considers consultation from an ECSE teacher.
Birth to three
Michigan also provides special education to children under 3. Under R 340.1862, an approved or endorsed ECSE teacher or approved related services staff delivers those services through an individualized family service plan, for at least 72 clock hours a year. Alongside those services runs Early On, Michigan's system for infants and toddlers birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Early On providers coach families during home visits, using routines like meals, bathing, and dressing as learning time.
Job postings and pay
The CCRESA Office of Innovative Projects, which runs Early On training and technical assistance, keeps a special education and early childhood job board. Postings there have come from intermediate school districts and Head Start centers.
At $65,198, Michigan's 2021-22 average public school teacher salary in National Center for Education Statistics Digest table 211.60 fell below the national average of $66,397.
The listings on this page are Michigan's open early childhood special education postings.