By Governor Gretchen Whitmer
It’s that time of year again—springtime in Michigan. The days are getting longer and we’re finally getting temperatures above 40—what we Michiganders call “shorts weather.” March is Reading Month in Michigan, and I want to focus on how we are working hard to close racial equity gaps in literacy and set up our children for lifelong success.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done since I took office to invest in students, educators, and schools across Michigan. We closed the funding gap between schools, leveling the playing field for previously underfunded schools and providing more money for textbooks, equipment, and facilities. We raised teacher pay, cut retiree taxes, and helped thousands of aspiring educators get in front of a classroom.
But there are some hard truths we need to face. For too long, school districts and communities of color haven’t had enough resources to help every student read. Just 24% of Michigan fourth graders can read proficiently. While Michigan invests more per-pupil than most states, we are getting less. It’s unacceptable.
Literacy is key to prosperity. It impacts your ability to navigate the world; get and keep a job; access critical benefits; read and pay bills; support your own kids as they learn; exercise your civil rights; and improve your financial situation. Students who read are adults who succeed.
We’ve worked hard to change this status quo, including more than tripling the number of literacy coaches working in schools to help kids learn how to read and mailing books to kids through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Two years ago, we invested just $25 million towards literacy grants, coaches, and literacy professional development for educators. Last year, we invested over $180 million—more than 7 times the year before. I also signed bipartisan legislation last year to use proven science of reading strategies—like phonics—in Michigan schools. It’s how a lot of us learned to read and we should get back to it because it works.
My proposed education budget supports this work with a $10,000 investment in every student in Michigan—the largest in state history. It also doubles literacy grants to districts and provides additional funding to help schools implement the new science of reading requirements; ensures each intermediate school district in Michigan has at least two literacy coaches for the first time in state history; and continues the Michigan Reading Corps and LETRs training for educators.
Literacy entertains us, empowers us, and opens whole new worlds of opportunity. I’ll keep working with anyone and fighting hard so that every Michigan student can read and ‘make it’ right here in Michigan.
About Post Author
