Michigan education policy

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s accelerated plan to offer free preschool to all 4-year-olds in Michigan requires more teachers. Nonprofits plan to help bring more educators to the profession.

The majority of states in the U.S. don’t require kindergarten attendance.

The state has allocated $328 million to improve student mental health in 2024, but school mental health workers say it’s not enough.

As the state works to solve the ongoing teacher shortage, advocates are asking legislators to fund retention efforts in addition to educator pipelines.

Some requirements in the bills were changed in response to school officials’ concerns that staffing shortages would make compliance impossible.

One of the high points in the graduation rate data released Friday: the Lansing School District, where the rate has increased dramatically since 2021.

State payments on retirement debt freed up $670 million that is helping fund many of Whitmer’s education initiatives.

n Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee began hearing testimony from students, parents, and teachers who want more structured phonic literacy instruction for all public school students.

As debates over how to best teach kids to learn to read continue in Michigan schools, many parents are wondering which programs are considered best practices.

A big question for school districts is whether closing schools will lead to bigger enrollment losses

The governor also said she plans to include free breakfasts and lunches in her budget proposal, extending what was offered this year.

‘It is hard,’ says one teacher about the challenge of teaching about a complex conflict. ‘But it's also what we want to be doing.’

Supporters say it will help more teens see college as an option. But skeptics say it might create another barrier.

Bills awaiting action in the Senate would help improve record-keeping and enforce educational standards.

Informed by her experience as a parent, this Detroit teacher became an educator to strive for equity in all classrooms.

Elections, school funding, a new state department, and other issues that will define education this year.

The year’s big stories included victories for the Democratic education agenda, a groundbreaking school aid budget, and a fiscal reckoning in Detroit.

Supporters hope to use the attendance records to direct students to resources that can help them.

They talked about mental health, childhood trauma, good teaching, and the importance of self-love.

The new majority enacted record funding for public K-12 schools and reversed GOP initiatives on reading, testing, and collective bargaining rights. Critics say they undermined accountability.