The Michigan Education Association and American Federation of Teachers commissioned a survey conducted by Public Policy Associates. Released in 2020, it reveals teacher certificates in Michigan declined 25% between 2013 and 2018.
Two Democrats, Michigan Senator Dayna Polehanki of Livonia and Senator Winnie Brinks from Grand Rapids are introducing a package of bills to reverse teaching employment trend, including early retirement, exacerbated by the pandemic.
There are a dozen bills. At the top of the list, The Student Teacher Stipend Act. Teachers could receive up to $9,600 for service as a student teacher. Those student teachers could also be reimbursed through a grant for childcare up to $10,000. There’s a grant program to cover the cost of teacher professional development and a loan repayment program for certified college graduates employed in a school.
Senator Brinks said, “By supporting new teachers and recruiting new prospects to the field as part of a future-focused strategy, we can strengthen our schools and empower our teachers to do what they do best.”