States have often adopted broad bands for teacher certificates that cover grades K-5, K-6, or even K-8, which may offer more flexibility to district and school administrators but at the cost of ensuring adequate preparation for those who will be teaching in early grades. In order to better equip its teachers with developmentally appropriate knowledge and skills when they enter classrooms, Michigan is jettisoning its broad elementary licenses in favor of preK-3 and 3-6 licenses. This issue of "State Innovations" discusses Michigan's new teacher preparation standards; how the new standards are tied to the state's Top 10 in 10 initiative--to put Michigan in the top 10 education systems within 10 years; Michigan's communication strategy to further its early childhood education workforce project and its licensure restructuring process; the role of the state board; teacher preparation and teacher placement as separate issues; and lessons learned and next steps for Michigan.