Snyder's proposed reforms spark controversy
MARQUETTE -- Governor Snyder recently introduced a plan to revamp Michigan's education system including toughening the standards for teachers and instituting performance-based pay. Some local education leaders aren't on board with these new proposals and say it will only hurt a career already "demonized" by some.
Teachers spend their careers in hallways and classrooms where gossip and rumors fly, and now some say teachers are starting to get a reputation of their own, and it isn't a good one.
"People have characterized teachers as maybe money-grabbing or they're stealing from other people," says Rodney Clarken, Northern Michigan's Director of the School of Education. "Young people are feeling kind of the same way. They see in the newspaper that schools and teachers are demonized."
Clarken and Stu Skauge of the Michigan Education Association disagree with Snyder's proposals to tighten the standards for teacher education. They say that as well, as the poor job reputation will only lead to fewer teachers and eventually a teacher shortage.
Teaching is a profession with a weak retention rate. According to a study done by the University of Michigan, in the first five years, more than 40 percent of teachers will choose to leave the profession.
But that's actually what Governor Rick Snyder is aiming for. He says the state is producing too many teachers. He's proposed requirements for higher test scores and more time spent in the classroom before college graduation.
"Who is going to go into teaching?" asked Skauge. "Who is going to go into school and come out owing $100,000 after five years of school and become a teacher."
Others feel that classroom experience isn't something potential teachers can overdose on.
NICE Superintendent Mike Haynes says the local colleges are doing a great job of preparing teachers, but further preparations might not be a bad thing.
"The world is changing, the classroom environment is changing, the students are changing," says Haynes.
When all is said and done, teacher training adds up to about a $30,000 starting salary, which usually reaches at least $60,000 by retirement.
But is it really that low? The average teacher salary in Michigan is 158 percent of the average salary in Michigan. That means they make more than the average Michigan worker. But is that money enough of an incentive?
"It's difficult to compare the job of a teacher with another position because they're so different," Haynes says.
Find more information about other education reforms Governor Snyder has proposed here.
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