Literacy Investments in Gov. Whitmer’s Budget Puts Student First, State Superintendent Says

LANSING – Michigan’s students would greatly benefit from education investments in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed budget—particularly funding for initiatives to improve children’s reading and writing, State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko said today.

The governor’s proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which was unveiled on Wednesday, prioritizes student literacy.

“Literacy is the No. 1 priority of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and State Board of Education,” Maleyko said. “I’m thrilled that the governor is not only bringing needed attention to the need to improve reading and writing achievement but walking the talk by proposing a significant investment in literacy. Her budget proposal puts Students First by investing in PreK for All and paying for our schools to provide professional development for teachers on the science of reading, adopt proven literacy curricula, and connect children who need extra help with tutoring and other additional supports. I urge legislators to support these investments in our future.”

As state superintendent, Maleyko has advocated for collaborative efforts to improve student literacy, with a partnership that includes MDE and the State Board of Education, the Governor’s Office, legislators from both parties, local educators, parents and families, other state agencies such as the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education and Potential (MiLEAP), education associations, teacher unions, higher education, librarians, and partners from businesses and philanthropic organizations.

Strategic investments in the governor’s budget to help every student learn to read and write include:

• Training teachers ($68.1 million total)
• $50 million for every reading teacher to complete Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading & Spelling (LETRS) training on the science of reading.
• $10.5 million to expand access to literacy coaches.
• $7.6 million to support professional learning about the science of reading and multi-tiered systems of support.
• Adopting proven curriculum ($100 million total)
• $100 million for incentives to districts to adopt science of reading-aligned curriculum and ensure teachers have tools to implement proven practices in their classrooms.
• Investing early ($214.1 million total)
• $181.8 million for PreK for All, including:
• $138.1 million to increase the per child investment and increase slots in the prekindergarten program.
• $25 million for startup grants to open 1,000 more classrooms.
• $18 million for transportation.
• $33 million to work alongside families as their first and most important teacher, including regional support for families of young children.
• Connecting children with extra help in classrooms and communities ($242.6 million total)
• $100 million to expand tutoring for children that need extra help.
• $135 million for before-school, afterschool, and summer programs.
• $7.6 million to support adult education and ensure all Michiganders have the fundamentals they need to thrive.

Investments in the governor’s budget align with MDE legislative priorities for 2026, including a request for the legislature to mandate LETRS training for educators in grades preschool through 5 who are responsible for literacy instruction.

The budget proposals build upon both the Michigan Literacy Summit hosted by Gov. Whitmer and Maleyko in December and historic laws signed by the governor in late 2024 to address literacy and dyslexia.

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