Launch Michigan applauds bipartisan School Aid Budget, prioritizing support for at-risk students
LANSING, Mich. – Launch Michigan, the multi-sector nonprofit organization consisting of top state business, education, labor and philanthropic leaders, commends the bipartisan passage of the $24.3-billion Michigan school K-12 budget yesterday evening.
Chandra Madafferi, vice-chair of Launch Michigan’s board of directors and president-elect of the Michigan Education Association, highlighted the increased funding for at-risk and special education students as a critical achievement.
“More equity-based funding for at-risk and special education helps ensure these students with greater needs get the education services they deserve,” said Madafferi. “This targeted investment is a powerful step toward achieving equitable educational opportunities for all students across the state."
The budget allocated an additional $204.5 million for at-risk students, bringing the total to $952 million to support their needs. This new opportunity index-based funding model ensures that districts with a larger population of economically disadvantaged students receive the necessary resources to address their unique needs.
"The bipartisan passage of this budget marks a significant step forward in ensuring equitable and high-quality education for all students in our great state," said Jeff Donofrio, Launch Michigan board chair and president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan. "While this is a sign of a collective commitment to invest in our students and the future of Michigan, the work can’t stop here. We must stay focused on strategies that will help us address systemic changes needed to give children and the state a better opportunity to compete in a global economy.”
Launch Michigan’s framework lays the groundwork to holistically transform K-12 education in Michigan and creates a pathway to post-secondary education and training. It includes strategies to improve Michigan’s education system and achieve world-class outcomes through balanced resources, governance and accountability.
In addition to increased at-risk student support, Launch Michigan is celebrating investments in many areas including:
A 5% per-pupil foundation allowance increase — $9,608 per pupil — the largest ever per-pupil allocation in Michigan history.
A $310.3-million increase in special education funding, bringing the total special education spending in the budget to $2.2 billion.
$328 in per-pupil mental health grant funding for districts, intermediate school districts, the schools for the deaf and blind and nonpublic schools. The intent is for at least 50% of this money to be spent on mental health.
$140 million in early literacy grants for districts and ISDs.
$50 million for before and after school programming.
$63.8 million for an educator compensation pilot program and $50 million for mentoring grants for the retention of new teachers, counselors and administrators.
$225 million for student loan repayments to employees who work directly with students. The payments would be capped at $200 per month, or $400 per month for employees who work in a district in which 85 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.
$245 million to the School Consolidation and Infrastructure Fund for grants for schools and ISDs for the initial costs of consolidating services, which also includes for physical consolidation costs.
$200 million to MPSERS unfunded liability.
###
Launch Michigan is a bi-partisan, multi-sector, nonprofit organization that exists to create conditions through policy and advocacy to re-imagine Michigan’s system of public education that gives children — and our state — a better opportunity to compete in a global economy. Learn more at LaunchMichigan.org.