Michigan education policy
Incumbents Judith Pritchett and Tiffany Tilley were elected to eight-year terms.
Jocelyn Benson, Michigan secretary of state, will take the reins from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whose second term is expiring.
Under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the state has provided regular funding increases for schools. But some argue it hasn’t kept up with inflation.
About 27% of Michigan’s K-12 students last school year were chronically absent.
The new federal tax credit reimburses taxpayers for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, which then distribute money to families for a range of educational expenses.
Michigan mandated science of reading training for all K-5 public school educators in the state in an effort to improve student literacy.
Michigan education officials have looked toward other states, such as Massachusetts and New Jersey for inspiration on improving literacy.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has until Jan. 1 to opt Michigan into the program in order for the state to participate in 2027.
Nearly half of Michigan students face economic disadvantages. Why don’t Michigan gubernatorial candidates specifically mention addressing poverty in their education plans?
Los distritos tienen dificultades para atender las necesidades de los estudiantes que aprenden inglés con niveles más altos de dominio del inglés, según defensores. Todavía no hay fondos específicos para estudiantes que siguen desarrollando su comprensión del inglés.
With five open seats on the seven-member board, there is potential for the governing body’s new majority to change the district’s strategies and policies. Would change help or put DPSCD’s progress at risk?
The Detroit Public Schools Community District continued to see improvements in its chronic absenteeism rate, which was at 60% at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Districts struggle to meet the needs of English learners with higher proficiency levels, advocates say. There is still no dedicated funding for students expanding their English language comprehension.
Results on the Michigan Student Test of Educational Performance were released Friday.
Researchers say DPSCD’s long-term improvement over the years across all grades and subjects suggests systemic changes are paying off. However, the district’s proficiency rates remain behind statewide averages.
The poll, conducted in May and June, is a window into the state of Michigan’s educator workforce.
Michigan students began school Monday with new cell phone restrictions as one of the big new rules.
There are also new rules about student fitness tests and literacy training for teachers.
There was little opposition to the DPSCD millage, with an overwhelming majority voting yes on the measure that will generate revenue that helps pay for staff salaries and classroom programs.
Low literacy rates and the need to improve Michigan schools have been big issues in the gubernatorial contest.