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Physical, Health, and Safety Education

The School Courses for the Exchange of Data (SCED) Classification System is an essential component of determining appropriate placement. Since the certification and endorsement of a teacher must match the course content being taught, districts must first determine the content of the course. To determine the course content, the district should first identify the SCED Course Title and Description that most closely match the course, and then find the course in this menu of webpages for matching endorsement areas.

SCED Finder

The matching endorsement areas listed are minimum state requirements. Districts should always consider the professional learning and experiences of an individual in addition to the minimum requirements before placing a teacher in an assignment. When an appropriately certified teacher is not available for the assignment, there are flexibilities available for placement. These are described at the end of this webpage.

Health and Physical Education

SCED Course Titles

  • Health and Fitness
  • Physical and Health Education
  • Physical and Health Education (grade level specific)
  • Physical and Health Education—General, Independent Study, Workplace Experience, or Other

Appropriate Endorsements

Individuals who hold a Michigan teaching certificate with the following endorsements are well prepared to teach the courses above at the grade levels listed on their certificate:

  • Health and Physical Education (MC)
  • BOTH Health (MA)* and Physical Education (MB)*
  • Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (MX)*
  • Family and Consumer Sciences (KH)

*This endorsement is no longer offered for new teachers.

Health

SCED Course Titles

  • Health Education
  • Community Health
  • Safety and First Aid
  • Health for Parenting Teens
  • Health and Life Management
  • Substance Abuse Prevention
  • Health Education (grade level specific)
  • Health Education—General, Independent Study, Workplace Experience, or Other

Appropriate Endorsements

Individuals who hold a Michigan teaching certificate with the following endorsements are well prepared to teach the courses above at the grade levels listed on their certificate:

  • Health and Physical Education (MC)
  • Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (MX)*
  • Health (MA)*

*This endorsement is no longer offered for new teachers.

Guidance for HIV/STI and sex education in Michigan public schools is provided by the Office of Health and Safety.

Sex Education Requirements

Physical Education

SCED Course Title

  • Physical Education
  • Team Sports
  • Individual/Dual Sports
  • Recreation Sports
  • Fitness/Conditioning Activities
  • Corps Movement
  • Gymnastics
  • Weight Training
  • Aquatics/Water Sports
  • Tennis
  • Self-defense
  • Specific Sports Activities
  • Physical Education Equivalent
  • Off-Campus Sports
  • Lifetime Fitness Education
  • Sports Physiology
  • Coaching
  • Officiating
  • Physical Education (grade level specific)

Appropriate Endorsements

Individuals who hold a Michigan teaching certificate with the following endorsements are well prepared to teach the courses above at the grade levels listed on their certificate:

  • Health and Physical Education (MC)
  • Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (MX)*
  • Physical Education (MB)*
  • Recreation (MD)*

*This endorsement is no longer offered for new teachers.

Driver and Safety Education

Instructors having the responsibility for the operation of driver safety schools shall be certified driver education instructors.

Alternative Staffing Options

Option 1: Also Allowable

Individuals may also be placed outside of the grade level listed on their certificate in certain scenarios as described in the guidance linked below.

Revised Grade Bands

Core Content Area Grade Level Staffing Flexibilities

Elementary (ZG) and World Language (FA-FS) Staffing Flexibilities

Option 2: "All Subjects" Endorsed Teacher

Individuals who hold an all-subjects endorsement at the grade level are also authorized to teach these departmentalized courses without a permit. Districts are encouraged to ensure the individual has appropriate knowledge and skills for the assignment.

Self-Contained Definition

Option 3: Other Out-of-Field Certified Teacher

Per Michigan Administrative Rule, Individuals who hold a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate may be assigned outside of the subject and grade level endorsements listed on their certificate for up to 90 consecutive calendar days or on an intermittent basis without the need for a permit.

Option 4: Permitted Teacher

If an individual with the appropriate endorsement is not available, the district may choose to obtain a permit for the assignment. Permits should not be considered permanent solutions for staffing, and districts are strongly encouraged to support personnel in pursuing the appropriate endorsement on a Michigan teaching certificate. 

Teacher Permits