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September 06, 2024
U.S. Secretary of Education’s School Bus Tour Visits State
LANSING – Federal and state education officials are highlighting successful initiatives to address Michigan’s teacher shortage. State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice and State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh on Thursday joined U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at a visit to Glencairn Elementary School in East Lansing Public Schools. Secretary Cardona shared U.S. Department of Education efforts to support high-quality teacher recruitment and retention programs.
The event was the second Michigan stop on Secretary Cardona’s four-day 2024 Back to School Bus Tour. Secretary Cardona and other U.S. Department of Education officials visited the school to talk with staff. The secretary held a roundtable with participants in East Lansing’s Talent Together apprenticeship program for educators.
“I’m proud of the progress that Michigan schools have made in addressing teacher shortages and appreciate the support from our federal partners,” Dr. Rice said. “Increasing the number of certified teachers in areas of shortage is Goal 7 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan. I’m pleased that the work of our local schools has been recognized by our federal partners today.”
Talent Together is a federally approved registered teacher apprenticeship program to provide accessible, no-cost pathways into the teaching profession for noncertificated school employees. Through an innovative partnership with Michigan’s intermediate school districts and 18 post-secondary institutions, Talent Together offers participants an opportunity to earn while they learn and to serve as apprentice teachers under close mentorship of Michigan educators for at least a full academic year. Candidates satisfy all criteria for teacher certification required through other pathways, including a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, an approved program of study in their area of specialty, licensure testing, and rigorous clinical experiences.
Talent Together is supported by a $76 million investment by the Michigan legislature in fiscal year 2024 and an additional $25 million investment in fiscal year 2025.
Attendees at the event included East Lansing Public Schools Superintendent Ms. Dori Leyko, Glencairn Principal Ms. Justyne Richardson, and Ingham Intermediate School District Superintendent Mr. Jason Mellema.
Teacher preparation program enrollment in Michigan declined from 23,203 in 2011-12 to 9,512 in 2016-17, a 59% decrease, but rebounded to 14,829 in 2021-22, a 56% increase from 2016. Michigan is addressing the teacher shortage, a national challenge, through a wide range of efforts, including Grow Your Own initiatives for students and support staff who aspire to become teachers.
Other successful efforts in Michigan to address teacher shortages can be found in this press release and include, but are not limited to, the following: college scholarships and student teacher stipends for aspiring teachers; loan repayment and mentoring for current teachers and other educators; and a rural credentialing hub. In addition to attracting more prospective teachers in general, multiple educator preparation providers have increased access to students from historically underrepresented populations through focused scholarship and fellowship programs.
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