In a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the declining qualifications of teaching staff in the Lansing School District over the past three years. A representative highlighted that the percentage of certified teachers in the district has dropped significantly, from an average of 96% in the 2021-2022 school year to approximately 75% in the current 2023-2024 school year.
The representative pointed out that while some schools maintain high certification rates close to 100%, others report alarmingly low figures, with some as low as 42% to 55%. This disparity raises concerns about the quality of education in those underperforming schools.
Comparatively, the state average for teacher certification stands at around 90%, and neighboring districts boast rates exceeding 95%. The representative emphasized that the Lansing School District's performance is notably worse than both state averages and peer districts, which could have significant implications for student outcomes and overall educational quality in the area.