Who is the PPC Certification Program for?

The Paraprofessional Certification Program is for individuals who serve in a support role for the classroom teacher. This support person assists students in instructional or non-instructional activities. Assistance may include behavioral management, crisis prevention, understanding the educational process, and learning about the business of schools.  Although anyone may benefit from certification, the full program is designed for those in their first five years of employment.

What can the PPC Program do for you?

By participating in the program, you will:

• Expand your knowledge base, skills and confidence as a paraprofessional
• Receive on-going training and support from experienced instructors and practitioners
• Become part of a statewide network of paraprofessionals who are interested in advancing their profession

How do I begin the program?

Fill out the “Letter of Application” to be enrolled in the PPC Certification Program.

Are there any fees associated with this certification?

There is a $60 application fee due with the submission of the Letter of Application. A $30 fee is due every five years for continuing certification as well as for grand parenting consideration. All records are maintained by MIEM.

Can classes from other organizations count towards PPC certification?

In some circumstances, courses from other sources may be counted toward PPC certification. These situations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Paperwork may be submitted for review.

What classes do I need to take in order to become certified?

Participants must complete the 15 classes which are listed below within three years of beginning the program, unless a waiver is obtained.

• Basic Instructional Strategies
• The Business of Schools – How Schools work and obtain funding
• Crisis Prevention Intervention Training (CPI)
• Co-teaching – how to best work with your classroom teacher
• Managing Classroom Behavior – restraint, how much and when
• Building and Maintaining Relationships for the ParaPro
• Common Core – Academic Standards
• Individual Education Program
• Adaptive Technology for the Classroom
• Strategies of Acceleration – Best Practices
• Principles of Education
• Legal Issues in the ParaPro Environment
• Special Interventions in Core Areas
  • Mathematics
  • Reading/Writing
  • Diversity
  • Special Population

Two additional classes should be elective classes. Any of the programs that MIEM/MSBO offers or another class that has been pre-approved can be counted as an elective. MIEM will provide an annual schedule for certification classes. Every class will be offered at least once in a three-year period. Many classes are offered every year or every other year based on need. The Support Staff Conference for Administrative Professionals will be used to deliver many of the content to complete the PPC certification.

How do I know if I qualify for the Grandparenting provision?

If you have 6 or more years of prior professional development and work experience in Michigan schools, you may be eligible for grand parenting. To apply, fill out the Grandparenting Application which can be found at www.gomiem.org. As part of the grand parenting process, you are required to complete at least 2 of the MIEM PPC required classes.

Once I become certified, then what?

Once you are certified, you have 5 years to obtain 45 hours of continuing education. You can earn these hours by taking any of the classes MIEM offers. Conferences or seminars attended by other organizations can help you get hours for PPC certification. One college semester hour is equal to 30 hours toward PPC certification. If you are uncertain that something would count for the PPC program, simply contact our office before attending. To have hours recorded, send an agenda or other outline of the event to the MIEM office for approval. At the end of five years, fill out the PPC Renewal Application to keep your certification.