Superintendent wants higher teacher salaries

EAST LANSING, MI (AP)--   State Superintendent Mike Flanagan is calling for an increase in salaries for Michigan teachers. 

Enlarge image

Mike Flanagan

Flanagan told a group of science experts at Michigan State University this week that an increase in salaries to more than $100,000 a year would attract more students that excel in science and math to become teachers. Flanagan says low teacher wages often discourage science and math students from pursuing teaching as a career.

He says raising teacher salaries above six figures also will encourage more "mid-career changers."

Flanagan stresses Michigan needs to raise all teachers to that level "to continue getting the best and brightest people."