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June 12, 2025
LANSING—Michigan has experienced significant progress in the number of certified teachers in areas of shortage, but continued investment is needed, Michigan Department of Education (MDE) officials said during a presentation at this week’s State Board of Education meeting.
Despite that demonstrated success, the Michigan House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a fiscal year 2026 state school aid budget that lacks a range of funding dedicated specifically to reducing and ultimately eliminating the shortage.
“Addressing the teacher shortage is vitally important to improving student achievement,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “There is nothing more important to student success than the quality of the classroom teacher. We continue to make strides to chip away at the teacher shortage but have a long way to go. Dedicated funding is important to expand the recruitment and retention of teachers in a host of ways. Removing that dedicated funding from the budget is misguided.”
MDE officials pointed out that prior to fiscal year 2020, the state school aid act did not provide funding to address teacher shortage.
However, in recent years the legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have invested $575 million in fiscal year 2023 and $448 million in fiscal year 2024 to attract more people to the teaching profession, to fund MDE recommendations to address the teacher shortage, which remains an issue for schools and districts—and by extension school children—across the state.
MDE officials added that quantity, quality, and diversity are key components when addressing the teacher shortage in Michigan and meeting Goal 7 of Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, to increase the number of certified teachers in areas of shortage.
Overall, teacher preparation enrollment decreased 59% between 2011-12 to 2016-17. However, it has rebounded and has increased 71% from 2016-17 to 2022-23.
Efforts to attract more people to pursue a teaching career in Michigan include, but are not limited to, scholarships to future educators; stipends for student teachers; student loan repayments for teachers; Future Proud Michigan Educator EXPLORE grants; the Future Proud Michigan Educator LAUNCH program; Grow Your Own grant programs to help support staff and students to become teachers; Talent Together; expedited reciprocity for teachers and counselors certified in other states; a rural credentialing hub; and tuition reimbursement for special education teachers. Children’s access to well-prepared, certified teachers is increasing. As enrollment in teacher preparation increases both broadly and in critical areas (like special education), the number of teachers earning initial certification and endorsements in those areas is increasing.
The implementation of new teacher preparation standards that center understanding children’s individual needs means these new teachers are better prepared to support children’s learning and development. Further, children’s access to teachers from diverse backgrounds that match children’s backgrounds is increasing, and there is much room to grow.
Adults pursuing teacher certification have greater access to teacher preparation than ever before. As a result of multiple investments by the legislature and governor, those who want to become a teacher anywhere in the state can do so virtually cost-free. Investments in fellowships, stipends, Grow Your Own programs, consortia like Talent Together and MiCAREER, and the expansion of innovative, on-demand preparation programming reduce significant financial and geographic barriers for aspiring teachers and career changers everywhere.
Teachers’ access to opportunities for support and professional growth is increasing. Mentoring and induction standards and grant-funded programs help ensure that early career teachers receive the support that they need to thrive and stay in teaching. National Board Certification grants and programs for teachers to pursue additional endorsements in special education and other high need areas empower veteran teachers to expand their professional repertoire.
Michigan, for example, has experienced the following increases in numbers of teachers in shortage fields between 2017-18 and April 21, 2025.
“Through a host of efforts, we are working to address the educator shortage,” said Dr. Michele Harmala, deputy superintendent of MDE’s Division of Educator Excellence, Career Technical Education, Special Education, and Administrative Law. “Our goal is to increase student achievement and to provide an environment where educators can best carry out their important roles in the classroom.”
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