Michigan Achieves Another Important Step in Efforts to Improve Student Literacy Achievement

Plan Details How State-Funded Training in Science of Reading for K-5 Instructors Will be Carried Out

LANSING – Michigan has taken another important step in improving student literacy proficiency with completion of a plan for implementing a new law that requires teacher training in the Science of Reading.

“Michigan is putting Students First with a bipartisan, collaborative plan to improve literacy achievement and the commitment of outstanding teachers and administrators around the state,” said State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. “The evidence shows us what works. Now we are ready to ensure that elementary educators who teach reading have received Science of Reading professional learning.”

The Science of Reading Professional Learning Statewide Implementation Plan was released this week by the Michigan Department of Education. The nine-page document describes how all school personnel in grades K-5 in Michigan who teach or support reading instruction at local school districts, intermediate school districts or public school academies will complete Science of Reading professional learning.

The plan says: “By continuing to work together and investing in educator training, Michigan can create a statewide culture where students thrive, and literacy is a shared priority. This plan outlines how we will get there, with support, flexibility, and a clear vision for success.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in July signed Public Act 26, which requires teacher completion of state-funded evidence-based professional learning in the Science of Reading by the 2031–32 school year. Science of Reading literacy instruction focuses on phonemic awareness (the ability to hear, identify and manipulate sounds), phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

Prior to the signing of the law, the training was voluntary, although the state for five years has funded Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling—commonly known as LETRS. Earlier this month Gov. Whitmer announced that more than 8,000 Michigan educators had completed LETRS professional learning.

LETRS training, offered by Lexia, will remain a professional learning provider under the new law and implementation plan.

The department has collaborated with local school districts, statewide education associations, literacy experts and other key partners across the state to create the comprehensive statewide implementation plan. The initiative aligns with Goal 2 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, to improve early literacy achievement.

“I look forward to our state continuing to advance Goal 2 and make further improvements to public education,” said State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh. “Providing evidence-based professional learning to all K–5 educators who teach or support the teaching of reading is a key component of our strategy to improve student literacy achievement. We will continue to work with legislators, the governor and local school districts to ensure more students develop the strong literacy skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.”

The implementation plan includes:

• A statewide rollout of the professional learning that includes an early-start option for districts that are ready to proceed with mandatory professional learning. A “ready” district is one that already has the staffing, scheduling capacity, leadership support and internal planning in place to successfully launch professional learning ahead of the statewide schedule. Other districts will be assigned a stage in which they will launch the required training.
• Requirements that districts submit a report to MDE every year. The report will include the number of and percentage of required staff who have completed the required training and details on the cost and source of funding.
• A requirement that MDE publish an annual report summarizing district-level implementation, identifying areas of progress and need, and recommending policy or funding adjustments as necessary to support full compliance by the 2031-2032 school year. The report will be publicly available on the department's website.

The new law calls for a second professional learning provider. MDE has selected CORE Learning, which will provide its Online Language & Literacy Academy professional learning to Michigan educators. However, LETRS is the only provider exclusively funded in the budget signed by Gov. Whitmer.

“Michigan remains deeply committed to supporting educators in the use of scientifically based reading instruction,” said Dr. Delsa Chapman, deputy superintendent of the MDE Division of Assessment, School Improvement, and Systems Support. “Our state is positioned to strengthen early literacy practices and ensure high-quality instruction for all K–5 learners.”

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