Opinion | A legislative agenda for improved Michigan public education
Following a year with significant legislative victories for children in Michigan, we need to continue improving public education in Michigan.
As we advocate for improved education laws on behalf of our students, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and State Board of Education salute the passage of PA 146 and PA 147 of 2024, literacy/dyslexia laws. Over time, these generational new laws will help improve early literacy instruction and student achievement in Michigan, particularly if all Michigan elementary educators receive LETRS science of literacy professional development.
Recently I sent state lawmakers and the governor a letter with 2025 legislative priorities. Here are details on some of the most important priorities, largely based on Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan:
More in-person instructional time for students.
State law requires at least 180 days of instruction annually. Students typically experience fewer, and the Legislature has chipped away at in-person instructional days. Law permits nine days for closures for conditions outside the control of school officials. In 2019, the state school aid act was amended to permit seven days of educator professional development to count as student instructional time. In 2023, despite lessons from the pandemic, state law was amended to permit 15 instructional days to be virtual. That can bring the total days of in-person instruction to 149.
Virtual and other forms of instruction as substitutes for in-person instruction often work fine for students in their last two years of high school, who should have a range of opportunities off campus — from internships, externships, apprenticeships and jobs to dual enrollment, early middle college and career and technical education opportunities. However, most of our young people need to be in school in person more days, not fewer. While it’s not all about time, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t at all about time; it surely is in part about time. Research on education during the pandemic made clear that children who were educated to a greater degree in person did better than those who were educated remotely. We need to roll back these changes from 2019 and 2023 for students in grades K-10 and create greater flexibility in the days and hours of the education of our 11th and 12th graders.
Adequate and equitable school funding.
Thanks to the governor and state Legislature, the last three education budgets have been the best three consecutively over the last 30 years. However, Michigan’s schools remain underfunded by billions of dollars, according to School Finance Resource Collaborative (SFRC) recommendations. To properly staff schools and educate children, Michigan must fund inflation-adjusted recommendations from SFRC, including those for base funding and for economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, English learners, preschool students, students in rural/isolated districts, and students in career and technical education./p>
Like time, while it’s not all about money, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t at all about money; it is in part about money. A 2019 Michigan State University study found that, from 1995 to 2015, Michigan was last in the nation among states in inflation-adjusted, total revenue growth and third to last in inflation-adjusted, per pupil revenue growth. We continue to experience the adverse impacts of this underfunding, in our teacher shortage and other areas.
To fully meet the needs of Michigan’s children, we must develop and ultimately pass a voter referendum to increase funding and profoundly improve student achievement.
Expansion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities.
Michigan has made significant progress in expanding CTE participation and completion. Last school year, enrollment was 112,156 students, an increase of more than 9,000 students, or 9%, in the last three years and greater than pre-pandemic. Students enrolled in state-approved CTE programs have higher graduation rates and job earnings. These programs offer students great paths for career and college success. Statewide, 25% of students in grades 9-12 enroll in these programs. Over the next five years, an additional investment is needed to expand opportunities for students who, because of funding, geography, transportation, and cultural barriers, have not been able to access CTE programs.
Mental health and school safety funding.
Before fiscal year 2019, there was no dedicated funding in the state budget for children’s mental health and school safety. Funding rose over a five-year period and, though less this year than last, there is still $107.8 million in recurring Section 31n funding and $25 million in recurring Section 31aa funding, along with $126.5 million in nonrecurring Section 31aa funding. Largely due to the recurring funding increases in the state budget, school districts have added 1,700 helping professionals — guidance counselors, nurses, school social workers, and school psychologists — over the last five years. This is tremendous progress. However, our students and teaching staff need more.
We must appropriate recurring Section 31aa revenue for measures such as mental health education, peer support programs, conflict resolution and training of staff on how to identify and respond to student mental health needs.
Increasing the number of certified teachers in areas of shortage.
On MDE’s recommendation, the Legislature and governor have appropriated $1.1 billion the last three fiscal years for college scholarships and student teacher stipends for aspiring teachers, teacher student loan repayments, Grow Your Own Programs for students and support staff to become teachers, mentoring and induction grants, and a rural credentialing hub. These investments are beginning to pay off and must continue. Additional funding for Grow Your Own programs for students and support staff to become teachers must be dedicated.
Other priorities to better support Michigan’s children include incorporating into law the Michigan School Meals program that provides free breakfast and lunch to all public school students; extending general education pupil transportation reimbursement; making charter school finances more transparent; expanding mentoring for new educators; and reducing class sizes in high-poverty schools in grades K-3.
We look forward to continued work with the governor and legislators, our statewide education organization partners, local educators, parents, business, philanthropy, and others on these and other priorities for the benefit of Michigan’s children.
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