Michigan school opinions

The Legislature must make passing the School Aid Budget their number one priority and address the needs of our most vulnerable students by investing in a fairer weighted funding formula.

We’ve not tried facing up to our responsibility as a state to invest in all our kids. It’s time to set aside the political fear-mongering blame game and agree on what we want our schools to offer our children and how to pay for it.

An open letter to the next state superintendent of schools, Glenn Maleyko.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was written with good intentions. But circumstances and expectations have changed, and funding has never matched needs.

The proposal would provide stable revenue for schools starting in January of 2027 — regardless of any political shifts. With all of this chaos at the state and federal levels, it’s clear that we need to put permanent solutions in place.

No doubt, academic performance can be better. But we have the tools we need to improve after years of disinvestment, mismanagement and constantly changing reforms.

Michigan should enact a ban like New York state’s: no smartphones at school from bell-to-bell. We shouldn’t ask our children to resist technology that’s so addictive many adults can’t pull themselves away. 

This is one of the most consequential decisions Michigan’s State Board of Education will make in a decade. We urge the board to select a leader who is bold, transparent, and unwavering in their commitment to the children who have for too long been overlooked.

Getting a good deal is more important than a fast deal for our Michigan children in the upcoming state budget.

We know that some elected officials still worry that comprehensive sex education is not popular with constituents. This is untrue. It is long past time to update Michigan’s sex and health education standards.