Expired Michigan School Psychologist Certifications-Research Study

[Guest guest]

Dear Listmates:

I am conducting some research on the continuing education

requirements on Michigan school psychologists and social workers. It

appears, that some of these professionals have let their

certifications expire with the MDE that work with our children, (it

also appears their own web site is also very outdated on record

keeping). Enclosed you will find the letter written to Mr. Flanagan

and the State Board of Education on our concerns.

I would like to continue my research on this topic. Please consider

to send me off-list ( autism_a(at)comcast.net ) your child's school

psychologist and social workers' name. Please also include the name

of your school district and ISD.

We will NOT share your name or email address at all with anyone or

include it in the research. The purpose is to use a checks and

balance system to ensure these professionals are current according

to state and federal guidelines in Michigan. We have already found

numerous names that appeared to be expired for a few years in

between certifications.

Please feel free to pass this post on to other Michigan families.

Sincerely,

Sandy McMurray

http://www.autismarts.com

Dear Mr. Flanagan and State Board of Education:

I have taken the liberty to do some additional searching on the MDE

teacher verification site today. As a parent of two children with

special needs, I am very concerned about what appears to be

non-compliance within the state and our educational system. I perhaps

may be incorrect in my assumption and understanding of these rules

for educational standards. Nonetheless, I'm concerned enough to ask

you to step in and investigate these matters.

It is my understanding, that a school psychologist has to re-certify

every five years. It appears that some of the records are not correct

and some of these psychologists have 10 year certifications (which

would, if not correct, does appear that some are out of compliance

currently, but giving the illusion they are current). It would be a

great concern to me and other parents knowing that their school

psychologist that evaluates their special needs children for

educational placements are not current with their license.

I also found your 'teacher search' shocking. I would expect to find a

few errors in data, but not to the extent in which it is currently.

There are no current updates on most superintendents in the whole

state of Michigan. That is very, very disturbing. Whomever your

intake personnel is, it appears they are not doing their job very

well.

In this day of modern technology, this web site should not be so

disorganized and outdated. I could go on for hours checking

additional names against this search, but I think I have proven my

point here. Perhaps a state audit is in order.

Sincerely,

Sandy McMurray

Eastpointe, Michigan

McMurray

White Lake, Michigan