Opinion | Michigan K-12 needs an overhaul. Continuing this way is insane

Let’s be blunt. Michigan spends $24.1 billion (state and federal funds) annually on an education system of 1.4 million PK-12 Michigan children, and no one is getting the return on investment needed.

In fact, no one in their right mind would recreate our current non-aligned, unaccountable, operational structure that does not meet the academic needs of our children and is an economic weight on our state.

Headshots — Sheila A. Alles was interim state superintendent from 2018 to 2019, Tom Watkins was state superintendent of schools from 2001 to 2005. Courtesy photos)

We have spent more and got less for our educational dollar for at least two decades and continue to fall behind other states and nations. That is the definition of insanity.

Real change is the most talked about, but least acted upon, concept when it comes to public education. To say you are in a good school district in Michigan, given our national and global competition, is like saying you are the smartest kid in the remedial class; it is a dubious honor at best.

Look at the cold facts.

The 2026 Kids Count Data Book, ranks Michigan’s education as #42 nationally.
US News and World Report ranks Michigan #45 in Education
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows Michigan ranking below the national average in both reading and math.

The current public education system in Michigan has been static since adopting the Carnegie Unit structure 100 years ago. While this system once served the nation and our state well, it is long overdue for a major overall.

Where is the plan?

What are educators doing this summer? Where is your plan for the new incoming governor and Legislature that adds value and makes an academic difference in the lives of our students? You need to take the lead. Convene a summit over the summer to present a reform package.

Multiple education reform plans to improve student academic success in Michigan were made public this spring. Where is the plan from educators? Former governor, Rick Snyder, and former state senator, Doug Ross have a plan, “The 21^st Century Leaning in Michigan Innovation District legislation.” Launch Michigan has a plan, “Michigan Education Guarantee.” Ed-Trust Midwest has a plan, “Ready for Rigor.” The Business Leaders for Michigan) have an education plan in their strategic roadmap, “Michigan in a New Era.”

Tell us, educators. What laws, regulations, rules and other nonsense get in the way of teaching and learning that need to be removed? What authority is needed at the state and district levels to enhance learning?

When looking at a plan to reform education in Michigan, consider the following reforms we have previously proposed:

We need accountability. Everyone is in charge and no one is accountable. Michigan has 883 different education entities (local districts, charter schools/academies and intermediate school agencies) all of which operate independently from each other. We need to restructure and realign leadership beginning with enhancing the authority of the state superintendent of schools to align the 883 entities in their efforts around improving student outcomes and to hold them accountable.
If we truly want to improve student academic outcomes, educators need the same high-quality professional learning. We need to grant the state superintendent the authority to require specific training related to state initiatives, such as early literacy teaching and learning, and provide the resources to develop the training and disseminate it for required use in all school districts throughout the state.
We need to provide literacy coaches in every school who are trained in research-based, effective practices for teaching and assessing reading and can use data to inform instruction and train and coach teachers and school principals.
For many students, the senior year of high school is a waste of time. They have already met the high school graduation requirements and are no longer interested in their classes. We should restructure the senior year of high school to offer such things as attending a college, trade school, or gaining skills through an apprenticeship, and many other options.

We cannot continue to pretend that other states and countries have not passed us by.

They have.

Look to other states that have implemented reforms to improve student achievement, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Mississippi, Massachusetts and others. Learn from them and request to have those reform efforts funded at the same level.

We need our educators to lead the way. Step up and design a plan that requires bold structural and systemic changes that topple the status quo that is failing today. We need you to take bold and courageous actions to make significant changes that benefit Michigan’s children. The future of our state depends on it.

Opinion | Michigan K-12 needs an overhaul. Continuing this way is insane

Where is the plan?

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