Michigan’s reading scores have dropped to crisis levels in the past 10 years. Republicans blame Democrats for repealing reforms; Democrats say their new strategies need time to work.
Michigan third-grade reading
Posted inTalent & Education
To fix education in Michigan, GOP senators push to resurrect old ideas
Michigan Senate Republicans signaled they want to reverse some of the key changes to education policy Democrats made last year.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gun reform, tax cuts among dozens of Michigan laws taking effect in February
The Legislature is expected to adjourn for the year on Tuesday, so 67+ bills will take effect 91 days later on Feb. 13, including changes to abortion rights, pension taxes and gun regulations.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan third-graders still struggle with reading, more supports needed
Michigan lawmakers approved a third-grade reading law in 2016 aimed at improving literacy instruction across the state. But years later, too many students still read below grade level.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Democrats transform Lansing, using GOP ploys they once condemned
With complete control of governance, Democrats passed a raft of liberal bills within their first 100 days. Republicans are annoyed, sounding much like Democrats from years past. Now comes the hard part.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer poised to sign repeal of Michigan read-or-flunk law
Michigan Democrats finalized legislation Tuesday that would repeal part of a GOP law that required schools to hold back struggling readers who are a year or more behind after third grade. Research shows Black and low-income students were far more likely to be held back.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Senate dumps ‘read or flunk’ portion of third-grade law
Vote mostly along party lines would nix requirements that third graders behind in reading repeat the grade. Democrats say it didn’t work; GOP said it didn’t have a chance to.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan Senate panel removes flunking from third grade reading law
Democratic lawmakers are moving quickly to remove the part of the state’s third grade reading law that requires students a year or more behind to repeat the grade. The bill passed out of a Senate committee Tuesday.
Posted inTalent & Education
These are the big Michigan education issues we’re watching in 2023
Chronic absenteeism, charter school transparency, third-grade retention and early childhood education are expected to be top issues this year as Democrats take the full levers of power in Lansing.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan Democrats’ big education priority: Reform or kill read-or-flunk law
Proponents of third grade reading law say it helps keep schools accountable. Opponents holding students back is no solution.