Capitol News

A new report by Michigan State University's Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) reviews Michigan's investment in Grow Your Own (GYO) teacher programs. These initiatives aim to recruit and retain educators from local communities to tackle the state's ongoing teacher shortages.

The report, titled "Grow Your Own Teacher Initiatives in Michigan at a Glance," outlines Michigan's allocation of over $275 million since 2021 towards four key initiatives: GYO School Staff Grants, Talent Together, EXPLORE, and LAUNCH. These programs focus on various participants, including current school staff, community members, and secondary students considering education careers.

GYO programs are designed to cultivate teachers within their communities, enhancing both the size and diversity of the teaching workforce. "The research is clear: Educators tend to stay in communities with which they have strong ties," stated Jason Burns, EPIC research specialist and co-author of the report. "These programs are strategically designed to leverage those ties to strengthen local educational outcomes."

The state's GYO strategy includes:

- GYO School Staff Grants assist districts in helping existing school employees gain teaching credentials.

- Talent Together provides intensive support for candidates seeking high-need certifications through a registered apprenticeship.

- EXPLORE introduces middle and high school students to teaching as a career path.

- LAUNCH offers high school students education-related credentials and practical experience.

However, the proposed budget by the Michigan House of Representatives would cut all funding for GYO programs, potentially disrupting progress in addressing teacher shortages.

"Grow Your Own programs work," said State Superintendent Michael F. Rice, Ph.D. "Nothing is more important to students in the classroom than high-quality teachers. Grow Your Own programs have helped Michigan make progress toward Goal 7 in Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan." He emphasized the need for stable funding dedicated specifically to addressing teacher shortages rather than consolidating funds into block grants or eliminating them altogether.

EPIC researchers plan to monitor these GYO programs over several years to evaluate their long-term impacts. "These state-sponsored GYO initiatives mark a historically large public investment into different avenues of teacher recruitment and retention," said report co-author Jennifer Moriarty.