Decades of research tells us that Michigan’s economic future and cultural vitality depends on the quality of our educational system, from pre-K through college, and recent achievement results from around the country provide hope and many lessons for Michigan to take to heart.
Statewide educational improvement is possible – and within our grasp. By making a sustained, comprehensive commitment and investment in the levers we know work, Michigan can get back on track.
Everyone needs a teacher, just like they need a doctor. Let’s value and respect our educators for the sake of the future of this country.
By: Yara Barbosa K-12 educator, Grand Rapids, MIExperienced teachers bring so many strengths that we need to KEEP in our classrooms so our students can have th…
“Almost every teacher at my school has some kind of side gig to supplement their income.”
By: Elizabeth ToyeK-12 educator, Southeastern, MIAs a high school teacher in southeastern Michigan, educator shortages have directly impacted my ability to do …
“We have more teachers leaving the profession than wanting to become a teacher, especially in special education”
By: Katherine Grass K-12 educator, Lansing, MII am a first-grade teacher and have seen a huge change in the profession over the last 20 years. When I applied …
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“As a K-4 principal, I have faced significant challenges due to teacher shortages in various ways. One of the most pressing issues arose during my fourth year …
“I love teaching, I’m passionate about it and I believe that it is the most important job in the world.”
By: Kristi Trickey Highschool Language Arts Teacher, Southeastern, MI As a first-year teacher in Michigan, I made roughly $32,000. When you factor in taxes an…
“I think that when we talk about teacher shortages, we often talk about money or compensation, but it goes way deeper than that.”
By: Fredericka Brown Parent, Grand Rapids, MI I am a parent of the GRPS public school system in Grand Rapids MI. I am also certified as a preschool teacher as…
Community Organizing for Teacher Compensation
By: kyle lim - Urban Core CollectiveThe Urban Core Collective exists to support the self-determination and agency of historically marginalized communities by e…
Vision: Ensuring all children in Kent County have an equitable path to economic prosperity through family, quality education, and community supports
By: Katie Adrianse, Director of Communications, Maegan Frierson, Director of System Building, and Mark Woltman, Vice PresidentKConnect is a collective impact o…
New Analysis: Michigan’s Teacher Shortage Problem Is Worsening Opportunity Gaps for Students Who Are the Most Underserved
Students from low-income backgrounds, Black and Latino students, and students from rural and urban areas often face the highest rates of teachers who are teach…
Testimony on Senate Bills 567 and 568
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony supporting Senate Bills 567 and 568. Together, these bills make great strides toward addressing Michigan’s ea…
Testimony on Educator Support and Evaluation
Dear Chairwoman Polehanki,Thank you for the opportunity to provide written comments on the proposed changes to the current teacher evaluation system. As strong…
Michigan Teacher Leadership Collaborative Names 20 Highly Effective, Equity-Focused Educators From Across the State to its 2022-23 Cohort
Led by The Education Trust-Midwest and Teach Plus, the Collaborative Focuses on Shaping Education Policy and PracticeSeptember 14, 2022—The Education Trust-Mid…
Ed Trust-Midwest to Launch a Series of Panel Discussions on Steps to Michigan’s Educational Recovery
One year after statewide school shutdowns, public webinars will explore the state of Michigan education now — and what to do next ROYAL OAK, Mich. (March 16, 2…
The Equity Edition – Special Edition: Early learning, high expectations and Michigan’s digital divide.
The following excerpt is from a recent blog on quality virtual instruction and access. Read the full post here.By Ayat AL-Tamimi, Policy Fellow Ayat AL-Tamimi,…
High Expectations for Every Learning Environment
Schools across the nation are poised to adopt either full- or partial-distance learning environments this fall, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and safety precaut…
Teacher leadership pathways & investments critical to addressing Michigan’s teacher shortage and the fair funding pledge.
The following is an excerpt from a guest column by Randy Speck, that ran in The Detroit News on March 3. Click here for the full article.For too long, educator…
Improving Reading Education and Financial Aid Awareness
Join The Education Trust-Midwest and partner organizations on Thursday, Feburary 27 at 7:00 p.m. EST for a twitter chat on financial aid using #StudentsCantWai…
Michigan needs a math overhaul – and the teacher support to make it happen
Nearly two-thirds of Michigan students in fifth, sixth, and seventh grades were not grade-level proficient on the 2019 state math assessment – the most recent …
Questions remain on state budget and keeping teachers of color teaching in our public schools
One week into the current fiscal year, questions remain about the future of key programs and priorities of Governor Whitmer and the state legislature.After bei…
Changes coming to evals and superintendent search moves forward. Plus education new and more from The Education Trust-Midwest. April 23, 2019
This week, the Michigan legislature is likely to advance a bill to alter evaluations for teachers and school administrators for the current school year. Senate…
