MDE and MiLEAP Release “Every Child Reads Next Steps Forward”

Literacy Efforts Highlighted

LANSING – Today, the Michigan Departments of Education (MDE) and Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) released “Every Child Reads Next Steps Forward,” a planning document that describes how the state of Michigan is coming together to improve literacy outcomes for all students.

The “Every Child Reads Next Steps Forward” strategy follows Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address last week, at which she emphasized the importance of improving literacy.

“Literacy is an ordinary superpower that every child deserves, and my number one education priority this year is to ensure Every Child Reads,” said Gov. Whitmer. “That’s why we’ve tripled literacy coaches in schools, signed ‘Science of Reading’ legislation to expand proven strategies like phonics and identify kids who need extra help, and proposed Every Child Reads, the largest literacy investment in Michigan history. ‘Every Child Reads Next Steps Forward’ focuses on proven strategies to improve literacy. Let’s keep working together to set our children up for success and build a bright future for Michigan.”

“Every Child Reads Next Steps Forward" includes three steps the state is taking to ensure every Michigander is strong reader, writer and communicator. Those steps, which were shared during the State of the State address, are:

• Early starts, including building a strong foundation for success by supporting families as a child’s first teacher and expanding access to early learning experiences.
• Proven methods, including ensuring the science of reading is consistently used in all Michigan classrooms through effective professional learning for educators and evidence-based curricula and assessments. 
• Extra help, including implementing stronger and more consistent strategies to identify struggling readers early and connect them to the extra support they need in their classroom, communities, and homes.

“We all need to work together to put Students First so that every child in Michigan reads,” said State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. “Michigan is poised to greatly improve literacy outcomes, thanks to bipartisan efforts at the state level and hard work by students, teachers and parents in local districts. We realize there is much more that we need to do. The ‘Every Child Reads Next Steps Forward’ document helps us stay on track.”

MiLEAP Director Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, said: “Success begins with literacy, and our responsibility is to ensure every student in Michigan has the strongest possible foundation for lifelong success. The Every Child Reads strategy reflects that shared commitment by strengthening access to high-quality early learning experiences, building on what we already know works to strengthen reading proficiency, and expanding meaningful support for students in school, in their communities and beyond the traditional school day.”

The Governor’s fiscal year 2027 executive budget recommendation calls for $625 million to support student literacy and achievement, the largest one-time literacy investment in Michigan history. The proposal makes significant investments in PreK for All, including start-up grants to open more Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) classrooms with teachers trained in the science of reading. It includes funding to support every reading teacher completing Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training, additional literacy coaches to provide direct instructional support in classrooms and incentives for districts to adopt science-of-reading aligned curriculum with high-quality instructional materials. The proposed budget also invests millions for tutoring and before-, after- and summer school programming to provide extra learning opportunities beyond the school day for students who need it most.

Together, these resources will help ensure the Next Steps Forward are implemented consistently and at scale across Michigan classrooms and communities. Through coordinated state leadership and strong engagement with educators and community partners across Michigan, this work is actively driving improvements in literacy and student support statewide.

Here's what education leaders in Michigan are saying about “Every Child Reads Next Steps Forward”:

• Dr. Tina Kerr, executive director of the Michigan Association of Superintendents: “The Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators appreciates the continued statewide focus on ensuring every child develops strong literacy skills. Reading is foundational to student success, and school leaders across Michigan are committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based instruction in every classroom. Our members support efforts that strengthen early learning, align instruction with proven practices, and provide timely intervention for students who need additional support. Superintendents and administrators remain focused on building systems that help all learners become confident readers, writers, and communicators, preparing them for success in school and beyond.”
  
  
• Dr. John Severson, executive director of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA): “MAISA supports Gov. Whitmer's Every Child Reads statewide framework," said Dr. John Severson, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators. "Our intermediate school districts are working in partnership with MDE and MiLEAP to strengthen Michigan's statewide literacy system and provide the infrastructure and support educators need to implement the science-of-reading requirements. This includes professional learning for literacy coaches, LETRS training, and evidence-based instructional materials, all aimed at achieving literacy proficiency for every student in Michigan.”
  
  

• Alicia Guevara, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC): "Research shows that the first five years of a child's life builds the blueprint for future learning, health and behavioral outcomes. By investing early in literacy, we're helping our families build an essential skill in their children’s most foundational years – a skill they will use and benefit from throughout their life."
  
  
• Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi, a veteran teacher from Oakland County: “Exceptional educators equipped with the right training and tools will make a big difference for student literacy—so long as we stay committed over time to a consistent, rigorous approach to this critical work. Whether a student is already an excellent reader or needs additional support, it’s imperative to improve reading skills for all students, no matter where they live. The Michigan Education Association appreciates the focus that Gov. Whitmer and other state leaders are bringing to this issue, and we are committed to working with the governor, MDE, MiLEAP and lawmakers from both parties to lead on literacy.”

View “Every Child Reads Next Steps Foward.”

Visit the MDE Literacy webpage and the Every Child Reads webpage.

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