A RESEARCH REPORT FROM EPIC

Michigan Teacher Shortage Study: Initial Report

December 2021

This report is the first in a series of annual reports mandated by the Michigan legislature in December 2020 (2020 PA 316). The purpose is to summarize available state administrative data to begin to quantify the shortage, provide a baseline from which future comprehensive data analysis can begin, and include recommendations to policymakers about data-gathering activities that are necessary for future reports.

This report provides analyses of reported teacher vacancies, teacher retention rates, and enrollment in and completion from approved Michigan teacher preparation programs. We also examine differences across geographic regions, subject areas, educational settings, demographic groups, and experience levels. Together, these data begin to paint a picture of the teacher shortage across Michigan and highlight where new or better data can help to flesh out details of the shortage and help policymakers to target policies and programs in ways that can best help the state and local communities grow their teacher workforces.