LANSING, Mich – In a stark assessment of Michigan’s education system, a recent report highlights the deep-seated inequalities that have plagued the state for years, exacerbated by the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. From Monroe to Marquette, Michigan students, especially those in underserved communities, have faced significant setbacks, according to the “2023 State of Michigan Education Report: Beyond the Pandemic.”
Longstanding Inequalities and Pandemic Impact
Michigan’s education system, historically marked by disparities, has failed to provide equal opportunities for all students to excel. Even before the pandemic, the state lagged behind on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and the latest report reveals a concerning decline in reading scores, now seven points lower than almost two decades ago.
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The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the fault lines, with Michigan ranking as the 11th worst state for low-income student performance in 4th grade reading in 2022. Black students, in particular, have experienced a troubling decline, falling into the bottom five for 4th grade reading.
A groundbreaking study by Harvard and Stanford universities shed light on the unequal impact of the pandemic across districts. While some, like Birmingham, lost the equivalent of 20% of a school year, others, such as Lansing and Saginaw, lost an entire year or more of math and reading knowledge. Urgent intervention is necessary to address the alarming disparities.
Unprecedented Response and Available Funding
The report emphasizes an urgent need for an unprecedented response to counteract the educational setbacks. Michigan finds itself at a critical juncture, armed with unspent federal COVID-19 relief funds amounting to billions. The school aid fund, boasting a $3.1 billion balance, holds more than $2 billion in one-time money, in addition to the $3.7 billion federal American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief dollars (ARP ESSER) received by Michigan school districts.
Despite these resources, as of mid-December 2022, districts had only spent about 20% of their ARP ESSER dollars. The report underscores the necessity for quick and decisive action by state and district leaders to allocate these funds effectively.
The Opportunity 10 – A Roadmap for Change
To address the dire situation, the report presents “The Opportunity 10” – a set of research-based steps designed to propel Michigan to become a Top 10 Education State by 2030. These steps include urgent investments in educational recovery, fair school funding, transparency, and accountability, among other strategies proven effective in leading education states.
Early Childhood Education Quality at the Forefront
Recognizing the significance of early childhood education, the report zooms in on the barriers hindering success in early learning programs. It identifies “The Foundational Five Elements of Early Childhood Education,” emphasizing the need for quality, access and affordability, funding structure improvement, data, and workforce recruitment, compensation, and retention strategies.
Call to Action
The report concludes by imploring state leaders, policymakers, and district leaders to heed the findings and strategies presented. Now is the time, the report asserts, for collective action to ensure all Michigan students, especially the most underserved, have the opportunity for a brighter future beyond the pandemic.
Michigan’s education advocates believe in the state’s potential for transformative change, urging leaders to work together and alter the trajectory to make Michigan a Top 10 State for Education. The report serves as a rallying cry for Michigan’s students, emphasizing that the time to act is now to create a better future for all.
