Launch Michigan Applauds Legislature for Investing in Michigan Students and Teachers

LANSING, Mich. — Launch Michigan applauds the Michigan Legislature for approving a School Aid Budget that makes meaningful investments to improve educational outcomes for students across the state.

This budget advances longstanding priorities aligned with Launch Michigan’s platform, including investments in evidence-based literacy training for teachers and literacy coaches, weighted funding to better support English-language learners and at-risk students, dual enrollment opportunities, continued support for out-of-school time programming, and a 2.5% increase to $10,300 in annual per-pupil funding. Along with our colleagues at the RISE Network, we thank the legislature for maintaining intent language around special education funding. This language acknowledges that Michigan's current approach to funding special education does not work, and that resources should be more closely aligned with student need. Finally, we applaud the investment into evidence, with the continued funding for the Michigan Education Research Initiative, and a specific investment into literacy research. If Michigan wants to be able to follow the science, we have to invest in evidence, and this budget is an excellent step toward that.

"Michigan students and educators stand to benefit tremendously from smart, student-centered investments that will help more children succeed regardless of their ZIP code or the challenges they face," said Venessa Keesler, President & CEO of Launch Michigan. "Michigan’s education budget is more than numbers on a page — it is a statement of our values and our commitment to the future. We applaud the legislature’s bipartisan work to strengthen literacy instruction, expand dual enrollment opportunities, and promote valuable learning in before or after school programming. The implementation of weighted funding to provide additional support for students with the greatest needs is also an important step towards Launch Michigan’s pillar of adequate and equitable funding.”

Launch Michigan thanks legislative leaders and members from both parties for their commitment to advancing policies that improve student outcomes and strengthen Michigan's future workforce.