Michigan is poised to raise its literacy rigor and make a significant difference in the lives of its preK-12 students. While some boast of the Mississippi Miracle of literacy improvement, many are not aware that Michigan’s stage was set in 2016 for a similar outcome – that all students could learn to read by middle elementary and use that skill to succeed in the grades beyond.

For the past several years, we’ve been working to develop a new high school graduation standard for Michigan students. Instead of advancing a single perspective and fighting to get it implemented, we’ve focused on bringing many perspectives together from the very beginning.

This investment represents an important step toward ensuring that Michigan students graduate high school prepared for success in the pathway they choose.

Launch Michigan urges Michigan lawmakers to pass a state budget that prioritizes both strong per-pupil funding and the critical categorical supports that ensure we meet the needs of all Michigan students.