Michigan schools are in need of a major overhaul, according to the Michigan Education Association.
The group, which represents state teachers, says it hopes to see funding increases from the Governor’s office when Gretchen Whitmer releases the state budget in March.
David Crim is a spokesperson for the MEA. He said enrollment in college education programs has dropped dramatically - and the state is having trouble retaining the new teachers it does get.
“One in five new teachers are leaving the profession in the first five years after entering the classroom. That’s a historic high.”
Crim said teacher shortages are being felt statewide.
“We’re hearing a lot of districts using long term substitutes because they can’t fill positions. We know in some instances administrators are taking over classrooms because they can’t fill positions so the situation is dire.”
Crim said education is underfunded in the state and cites a recent Michigan State University study which found Michigan’s funding increases for education have ranked last among all states for the last 25 years.
A spokesperson for the Governor’s office said more details about the Governor’s plans for schools will be available in the upcoming budget.