Michigan, U.S. Classrooms Adjust Requirements for Teacher Certification to Address Teacher Shortage

Sept. 11, 2023 ~ As Michigan‘s 2023-24 public school year is underway, the state is working to address a teacher shortage that is plaguing the country at large.

In 2023, Michigan education and government leaders have created scholarships for students pursuing education degrees, and funded “grow-your-own” programs to help school districts train current employees to become certified teachers. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also signed a group of bills in late July that allowed more out-of-state teaching and counseling certificates to be accepted, and broadened the collective bargaining rights of public school workers.

The teacher shortage is affecting districts nationwide though, and 760 WJR Senior News Analyst Marie Osborne spoke more about the tactics other states are using to address it on “Focus with Paul W. Smith.”