July 28, 2006

LANSING - Having Michigan-produced teachers be the best prepared educators in the nation is the focus of a high priority study group at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan has announced the creation of this policy study group that will make recommendations to him on revising the state’s periodic reviews of the teacher preparation programs at state colleges and universities.

“It is imperative that Michigan teachers are prepared to help students meet the higher demands and greater expectations of the 21st Century knowledge economy,” Flanagan said. “To develop the top students in the world, we need to develop the top teachers.”

The Michigan Teacher Preparation Policy Study Group will be convened later this summer to examine the state “periodic review” process by which college and university teacher preparation programs are approved. Teacher testing policies and the grading of teacher preparation institutions also will be reviewed.

“Our teacher prep programs are among the best in the nation now,” Flanagan said, “but we need to ensure that they are preparing teachers for the vast learning needs of today and 10 years from today. Being ahead of the game will be the key to Michigan’s economic growth for the next 25 years.”

Like other states, Michigan faces the challenge of preparing and retaining highly effective K-12 teachers, especially in high-poverty and under-performing school districts. There currently are 32 state-approved teacher preparation programs in Michigan, and about 7,500 new teachers are certified each year.

With the bi-partisan cooperation of the State Board of Education and Michigan Legislature, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed in April a new state law creating the most rigorous high school graduation requirements in the nation. These changes will require that the state’s teaching force be well prepared to educate all students to these high standards in ways that reach all students.

The study group will bring together a diverse collaborative of perspectives from the colleges and universities, business and industry, and K-12 partners.

Michigan State University Distinguished Professor Joan Ferrini-Mundy will serve as Project Director for the study group. Jeremy M. Hughes, Deputy Superintendent, and Flora Jenkins, Director of the Office of Professional Preparation Services, will provide leadership and coordination through MDE.