In an op-ed for Bridge Michigan, Chris Torres calls on voters to support the state Senate’s budget education plan
The plan would designate a portion of per-pupil funding for increased teacher pay.
Drawing on his personal experience as a father of young children, and on his professional background as a researcher who studies school leadership, teacher retention, and recent teacher shortages in Michigan, Associate Professor Chris Torres recently wrote an op-ed for Bridge Michigan. Torres argues that in order to stem the teacher shortage, we must raise teacher pay.
“Research shows that higher teacher pay expands and improves the pool of quality candidates, reduces teacher turnover, and improves student outcomes—especially in hard-to-staff districts,” writes Torres. He also notes: “If we want to attract and retain the next generation of effective educators, we need to start by paying them a competitive salary.” Torres goes on to urge Michigan voters to support a state Senate budget education plan, which would earmark a portion of per-pupil funding for increased teacher pay.
