Support for Literacy Improvements Among MDE 2026 Legislative Priorities

LANSING – Support for literacy improvement efforts and adequate and equitable school funding are among the requests the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has for the Michigan Legislature in 2026.

Today the department sent its annual legislative priorities letter to all state legislators.

“If we want to put Students First and address the priority of improving student literacy, we must all work together on the same team,” State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko said. “I am looking forward to collaborating with our partners in the State Senate, House, and with Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Doing what’s best for our children is a bipartisan issue. I really look forward to collaborating with the legislature and governor to get things done in 2026.”

The priorities are aligned with Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan and MDE’s efforts to put Students First.

The legislative priorities include:

• Support on further implementation of the historic October 2024 literacy and dyslexia laws to build upon those laws and the recent Michigan Literacy Summit hosted by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Maleyko. Among other improvements, MDE is calling for legislative support in making Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training in the science of reading mandatory for all elementary educators in Michigan.
• Continued legislative support for adequate and equitable school funding. The letter notes important progress in increasing school funding in recent budgets and calls for a continuation of that trend, particularly in funding for economically disadvantaged students, English learners, students with disabilities, early childhood education and pupil transportation.
• Ensuring that students who are experiencing homelessness or are involved in the juvenile justice system are protected from having their education disrupted—as is the case with students experiencing foster care under new laws from 2024.
• Expanding learning opportunities, including summer programs that combine academic support, enrichment and social and emotional development.
• Establishing a balanced statewide assessment system to ensure that the statewide tests are aligned to instructional goals and meaningful data to support teaching and learning.
• Technology funding, including funding for statewide guidance regarding the use of artificial intelligence in schools and to establish a statewide technology and innovation framework with hands-on learning opportunities and professional learning for educators.
• Continued investment to expand career and technical education.
• Modernizing state policies related to the educator workforce to protect students, reduce unnecessary burdens on educators and districts and ensure that accountability measures are targeted, effective and aligned with today’s educational realities.
• Better supporting students’ health and well-being, including by codifying into law the Michigan School Meals program that provides one breakfast and one lunch daily at no cost to all Michigan public school students. Currently the program is subject to approval in the budget every fiscal year.
• Funding the Blue Ribbon Schools program, which had been operated by the U.S. Department of Education to recognize outstanding schools prior to the federal government eliminating its program last year and asking states to take over the recognition.
• Making changes to the retirement system for Michigan educators so that it’s easier for educators to transition from local districts to the Michigan Department of Education without losing retirement funds.

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