(The Center Square) – Forcing Michigan teachers and potential teachers to pay to be teachers could end.
A bill that received strong bipartisan support and passed the Michigan House recently would waive fees for initial teacher applications and renewals for certifications, licenses, approvals, endorsements, authorizations and permits.
It would also force the Michigan Department of Education to cover the costs.
“Teachers are already working what are essentially paycheck-to-paycheck jobs, making it all the more difficult to front substantial licensing fees every five years,” Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancok, said.
Markkanen is a former high school government and special education teacher.
The bill now heads to the Michigan Senate and would need to pass and get a signature from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to become law. If so, Michigan would become the first state to eliminate fees to become a teacher or to renew a license.
A fiscal analysis showed the department of education would lose about $8 million annually if the bill becomes law.
“All of us try to remember, but we don’t. All of sudden, five years go by; we’re trying to cover groceries or plan for Christmas, and here is this bill from the state, always at the least opportune time,” Markkanen said. “They don’t deserve that stress, especially considering all the good they do and how much of their own money they put into their classrooms. We must waive these fees and ensure that teachers can keep more of their hard-earned income.”
