The state says nearly $1 billion in state funding is starting to be released to help Michigan's public school teacher training and retention system to help schools address a staffing shortage, but a spokesperson for a prominent teachers' union said: He said more funding would lead to greater success.
Michael F. Rice, state Superintendent of Public Instruction, spoke after announcing the statewide Teacher of the Year at Rochester High School on Tuesday and said the funds included in the state school aid law by lawmakers for the past two fiscal years will help Michigan He said it is helping address the state's “teacher shortage.” ”
“Public education has been underfunded in this state for many years,” Rice said. “We are in the process of rebuilding our funding and, by extension, our staffing.”
The Michigan Department of Education announced that the state will spend $175 million in fiscal year 2023 to help schools create pipeline training programs for school support staff aiming to become fully certified teachers. He said he spent time developing the “Grow Your Own'' program.
Under the law, teachers are required to complete a state-approved preparation program and pass a test to obtain a teaching credential, among other requirements. However, the state also offers substitute teaching permits that require only 60 college credits. By meeting other progressive requirements, substitute teachers can work in the district for up to four years.
Rice said there are 85,000 teachers in Michigan. He said the aim is to fund training programs and train more long-term substitute teachers to become fully qualified to address the state's “teacher shortage.”
The state also appropriated $225 million in fiscal year 2024 to help certified teachers with student loan repayments. Rice said this is intended to help the district avoid attrition of staff.
“Once you get certified, the good news is you become a regular teacher. The bad news is the pay isn't as high,” Rice said. “(Teacher student loan repayment) is a retention activity, not a recruitment activity.”
A spokeswoman for the Michigan Education Association union, which represents about 120,000 teachers, educational support staff and higher education workers in the state, said the funding and new training and retention programs will move the state forward. However, he said there are problems. Not resolved.
“We continue to struggle with a shortage of teachers in school districts across the state, as well as a shortage of support staff, coaches, bus drivers, and future shortages,” MEA Director Thomas Morgan said.
Morgan said another challenge for schools trying to make up for staffing shortages is the localized nature of district management.
“They all have different pay levels and different benefits,” Morgan said. “So in a sense, they are competing with each other for talent, just like the private sector.”
Other teacher training and retention programs funded in the past two state budgets include:
- The Michigan Educator Fellowship will receive a combined $330 million in fiscal years 2023 and 2024. This is her $10,000 college scholarship for future educators.
- $100 million for MI Future Educator Stipends, which will provide $9,600 in scholarships to student teachers.
- $76 million for the Talent Together program. The purpose is to help school personnel obtain teaching certification through partnerships with secondary school districts and educator training institutions.
- Provides a $15 million grant to the Rural Educator Certification Hub to help local school staff earn certification through a consortium of training institutions and local school districts. The effort is being led by Central Michigan University, according to the state Education Department.
- Provides $50 million in grants to school districts to provide instruction and other support to new teachers and support staff.
