Michigan continues to face serious challenges in education, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book. The state now ranks 44th in education and 33rd in overall child well-being.
The report shows that student performance is slipping. About 75% of fourth-grade students are not proficient in reading, while only one in four eighth graders meet proficiency standards in math.
An unnamed source noted the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on classroom learning. “We saw during the pandemic just how much school disruptions hurt students,” they said. “But it’s also clear that other states have begun to recover, and Michigan is not keeping pace.”
Anne Kuhnen of the Michigan League for Public Policy said the findings point to a need for more investment in early education. “This data shows we must do more in the early years, when students develop the literacy skills they’ll need throughout school and later in life,” she said.
Despite recent increases in education funding and federal support, Michigan’s graduation rate has stalled. About 20% of high school students still do not graduate within four years. “We’re really far behind. Michigan is in the bottom 10 states for graduation rates, and that’s a major concern,” another unnamed source said.
Kuhnen urged lawmakers to continue supporting programs that improve reading and math outcomes. She noted that some school districts have already used federal funding to provide tutoring and other services to help students recover academically.
The report underscores a growing consensus: without urgent action and targeted investment, Michigan’s education system risks falling even further behind.
