Michigan Department of Education

24 stories

Dearborn Schools gets $460,565 grant to serve more Michigan-grown food

Dearborn Public Schools will use the grant and support services to add more Michigan-grown ingredients to more than 3 million meals served each year. The work will also build stronger ties with farmers and regional suppliers.

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Michigan students testify on Declaration of Independence at state board meeting

High schoolers from East Grand Rapids and East Kentwood spoke before the State Board in Lansing, sharing their views on the Declaration of Independence. The event is part of Michigan's push to make civic education real and relevant.

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Michigan School Spending Rises While Third Grade Reading Falls

Michigan now spends over $23,000 per student in public schools, but the latest state test results show third grade reading proficiency has declined since 2019 despite new laws and increased investment.

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Michigan State Board of Education race could shift policy direction

Michigan voters will pick two members for the State Board of Education on November 3. The results could change the board's partisan split and shape public school policy for the next eight years.

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Michigan third grade reading scores hit record low on state test

Sixty-two percent of Michigan third graders failed to meet grade-level reading standards on the latest M-STEP exam. The results raise urgent questions about state education policy and the future of student achievement.

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Michigan Public School Attendance Reaches Highest Level Since 2022

Michigan public schools posted a 91.5% attendance rate for the 2025-2026 year, the highest in four years and part of a steady decline in chronic absenteeism across the state.

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Michigan High School Faces Backlash Over Menstrual Cycle Policy

Lakeview High School in Michigan is under scrutiny after parents objected to a gym class rule requiring girls to report menstrual cycle details to make up missed swimming days, raising questions about privacy and fairness.

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Chronic Absenteeism Still a Major Issue in Michigan Schools, Even as Rates Fall

More than a quarter of Michigan K-12 students missed at least 18 days of school last year. While chronic absenteeism has declined for the fourth year in a row, it remains a serious problem for schools and families across the state.

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Michigan Schools Expand Career Tech as Debate Over College Value Grows

Michigan is investing millions to expand career and technical education in schools, but with most high-demand jobs still requiring a bachelor's degree, educators and policymakers are divided on how far to push the skilled trades path for students

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Michigan Farmers Offered New Webinar Series on Local Food Sales Farmington Voice

Michigan Farmers Offered New Webinar Series on Local Food Sales

A seven-week online series starting October 7 will guide Michigan farmers through selling to food co-ops, schools, hospitals and more, with practical advice from industry experts and registration open until November 17

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Michigan schools expand CPR and emergency training for students

Michigan schools are rolling out hands-on CPR and emergency response lessons for students through the American Heart Association's programs, aiming to boost lifesaving skills in classrooms statewide ahead of the 2026-27 school year

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Michigan Student Test Scores Drop Despite Record School Funding

Michigan's latest statewide test results show a decline in student reading proficiency even as public school funding has reached new highs, raising questions about the effectiveness of current teaching methods and standards

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Michigan Reading Proficiency Hits Record Low as State Reforms Lag

Michigan's latest standardized test results show reading proficiency for third graders has dropped to its lowest point in 12 years, with only 38.2 percent meeting state standards. State officials say new literacy reforms are still in early stages

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Michigan Third Grade Reading Proficiency Drops to New Low in 2026 M STEP

Just 38.2 percent of Michigan third graders scored proficient in English Language Arts on the 2026 M STEP, marking the lowest rate in recent years and raising concerns for families and educators across the state

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Michigan Reading Proficiency Hits Record Low as State Reforms Lag

Michigan's latest standardized test results show reading proficiency among third graders has dropped to its lowest point in 12 years, with statewide reforms still in early stages and key districts seeing only modest gains

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Michigan Faces Urgent Calls to Address Statewide Education Gaps

Michigan's education system is under scrutiny as student literacy and math proficiency rates lag behind national averages, prompting renewed debate over state policies and urgent proposals for reform.

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University of Michigan to Pilot Hiding First-Semester Grades in 2027

Starting fall 2027, the University of Michigan will launch a pilot program withholding first-semester letter grades from transcripts and GPA calculations for new LSA students, aiming to support academic exploration and student well-being.

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Michigan Education Leaders Urge State to Reject Federal Voucher Plan

Education experts in Michigan are calling on state officials to opt out of a proposed federal voucher program, warning it could destabilize public schools and divert resources from students and educators across the state.

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Michigan Allocates $40M to Expand Dual Enrollment for High Schoolers

Michigan will provide $40 million in new state funding to help more high school students enroll in college courses, with priority given to districts serving economically disadvantaged students. The program aims to boost college readiness and degree attainment.

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Michigan Schools Receive $224M for Repairs, But Billions Still Needed

Michigan awarded $224 million to 31 school districts for urgent building repairs, but a recent study found public schools statewide need $22.8 billion to address aging infrastructure by 2033

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Michigan Lawmakers Consider Ban on Seclusion in Public Schools

Michigan schools reported nearly 18,000 incidents of seclusion or restraint during the 2024-2025 school year. A new bill could prohibit seclusion and require more staff training to address student crises and trauma.

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School Districts Face Challenges Vetting AI Tools Amid Rapid Growth Farmington Voice

School Districts Face Challenges Vetting AI Tools Amid Rapid Growth

As U.S. schools invest billions in artificial intelligence, many districts are left to evaluate safety, privacy, and educational value on their own, with limited state or federal guidance and a fast-growing market of competing products

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Michigan Allocates $150M for One-Time Educator Bonuses in 2026

Michigan public schools will distribute $150 million in one-time bonuses to educators and staff this year, with amounts determined by local districts and unions. The payments aim to offset rising costs as leaders debate long-term solutions.

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Bay City Charter School Expands Free Lineman Training for Teens

The Tri-County Trades High School Lineman Program in Bay City offers free, hands-on training for high school juniors and seniors, preparing them for skilled jobs in the electrical trades immediately after graduation.

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