Launch Michigan Response to 2026 State of the State

Dr. Venessa Keesler, president and CEO of Launch Michigan, a cross-partisan, nonprofit organization uniting cross-sector partners to reimagine Michigan's system of public education to prepare every child for success, released the following statement in response to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's final State of the State address.

"Governor Whitmer is right: 'We must CHANGE to win.' Launch Michigan applauds the Governor for prioritizing investments in better literacy education for Michigan's children. An "ordinary superpower," we know that literacy unlocks the skills our students need to be strong critical thinkers and citizens, providing them with the opportunities every child deserves.

"As the Governor made clear, every parent should know that the state is committed to the success of their child throughout their entire life. Launch Michigan believes that early education and intervention in literacy are a crucial foundation and wants to ensure Michigan graduates have all the skills necessary for success after high school. Rigor starts early, but it doesn't end there. Michigan must replace outdated requirements to make sure our students graduate with a meaningful diploma.

"We look forward to continuing our partnership with the governor and her team to accelerate our state's progress on literacy and to secure a bright future for every Michigan student through the Michigan Education Guarantee. We also thank her for her two terms of service as governor."

To learn more about the Michigan Education Guarantee, reach out to info@launchmichigan.org. The Launch Michigan framework for reimagining Michigan’s public education system is built around three pillars: Responsibility, Reinvention and Resources. The Launch Michigan framework can be found here