Michigan

Literacy, mental health, and at-risk funding: What will lawmakers prioritize in the state school budget?

Published

11 months ago

May 14, 2024

Literacy, mental health, and at-risk funding: What will lawmakers prioritize in the state school budget?

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Michigan lawmakers are poised to approve a state education budget that would build on last year’s historic investment in the state’s most vulnerable students, while also increasing funding to improve student mental health, education for English language learners, and literacy.

But some students, parents, educators, and advocates are worried that the state won’t be able to fully fund “dire” needs at a time when Michigan faces several budgetary challenges.

Roughly $5.6 billion in federal COVID relief funds will expire this year, and state revenue growth is expected to slow in coming years. Declining enrollment also has created funding shortfalls in some districts.

Some fear districts will face painful cuts.

“The state of education right now is – truly, we’re desperate,” said Kathi Martin, a speech language pathologist and union president in Dearborn Public Schools.

“The amount of resources we have never seems to be enough,” she added.

Last week, the House passed a proposed budget that would increase school funding by $900 million compared to last year’s. That’s just slightly higher than what Whitmer proposed in her executive budget.

The Senate appropriations committee has also proposed an increase in school aid, of $1.1 billion. The Senate has not yet voted on the committee’s recommended budget, however, and is expected to take a vote in the coming days.

The legislature has a deadline of July 1 to pass a state budget. When both houses pass a budget, it will go to the governor to sign. It will take effect Oct. 1.

Last year, lawmakers passed a $21.5 billion school budget that included historic increases to benefit the state’s neediest students. But advocates say legislators must keep up the momentum to continue to work toward more equitably funding Michigan schools.

Here’s what lawmakers have proposed:

Increases to the “opportunity index”

For years, Michigan has been ranked among the worst states in the nation for the inequities in funding between schools in wealthy and poor communities.

Last year, the budget gave an additional $1 billion in funding to districts to serve at-risk students through the “opportunity index,” which provides money to districts serving communities with higher concentrations of poverty.

“Michigan must continue to take bold steps for an equitable education for its students,” said Elnora Gavin, a Benton Harbor School Board member, in a statement.

Here are some of the highlights:

The Senate committee’s proposal includes a $122.6 million increase to at-risk funds. It would allow districts to use up to 60% of the money to recruit and retain instructional staff as well as staff who help improve students’ social, emotional, or physical health.
The House proposes a $70.1 million increase. That proposal also includes language that would allow the Detroit Public Schools Community District to use up to 40% of the money to hire more instructional staff or increase teacher salaries.
The executive proposal would increase at-risk funding by $23.8 million. It would allow some districts to use up to 30% of the money for teacher recruitment and retention.

Advocates have asked lawmakers to increase the opportunity index funds by 20% over the next five years until it eventually equates to around $2.9 billion in additional funding for at-risk students each year.

What legislators are currently recommending for 2024-25 ranges from a 2.5% to around 12.8% increase over last year’s at-risk funding.

More money for mental health

Since 2021, Michigan has invested more than $715 million in student mental health programs and hiring more school counselors. However, advocates and educators say more school counselors, psychologists, and social workers are needed to adequately address students’ needs during an ongoing youth mental health crisis. The state had the third highest ratio of counselors to students in the country, according to the most recently available data.

“A lot of students’ grades are low because they are facing mental health problems and are not being heard by our teachers,” said Christina Yarn, a 17-year-old attending Saginaw Community Schools’ Heritage High School.

The governor’s office and the House both propose $300 million in per-pupil funding – $3.3 million more than last year– to improve student mental health and school safety, which is in line with what advocates have asked for. Both proposals have restrictions on the funds to be used for school resource officers. The Senate committee proposes a lower amount, $150 million for the funds, with no restrictions on districts for paying school police.

Small increase for English language learners

The state increased funding for English language learners last year, but still ranked among the worst in the nation for its funding of such programs compared to other states in 2023, according to Ed Trust Midwest.

“We have many immigrant and migrant students attending our schools,” said Martin. “Lots of children come to school and they don’t know English. In order to adequately teach these children, we need more resources than just one teacher in a room with 27 kids.”

The Senate committee’s proposal would double funding for English learners with an increase of $39.7 million.The governor and the House propose much smaller increases – $3 million and $5 million respectively.

One-time funds for literacy

Michigan has long struggled with student literacy rates. It ranks 43rd in the country for fourth grade reading. While more money was allocated to literacy efforts such as reading coaches and early literacy training for teachers last year, some administrators say they are unable to fill open positions.

The governor proposed $155 million in one-time funding to create a Committee for Literacy Development; offer a ranked list of curricula and professional development for teachers; and fund early literacy teacher coaching positions. The House and the Senate committee’s proposals include similar budget items.

Cuts to the teacher retirement fund

In order to pay for proposed increases to big items on the proposed budgets, legislators are considering making cuts to contributions to the state’s retirement funds for public school employees.

The governor wants to fund $758.9 million less than the $2.5 billion the state put into the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System in 2023-24. The House proposes reducing payments to the funds by $562.4 million. The Senate committee recommends $41.3 million in cuts.

Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns that these cuts would add to an existing pension debt in the system.

Democrats, including Whitmer, say that health care is fully funded under the plan and that it is feasible for the state to scale back its investments in helping districts make payments into the plan.

Hannah Dellinger covers K-12 education and state education policy for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at hdellinger@chalkbeat.org.

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Michigan

REAL ID deadline 2 weeks away: Here’s what Michigan residents need to know

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Press Room

REAL ID deadline 2 weeks away: Here’s what Michigan residents need to know

Michigan residents will want to make sure they have a star on their driver’s license or state ID by May of this year.

Beginning May 7, 2025, Michigan residents will need to have a REAL ID-compliant document to fly within the United States or enter certain federal facilities.

—> Michigan begins issuing new-look driver’s licenses, IDs: What to know

Am I already REAL ID-compliant?

REAL ID-compliant licenses have a star in the upper right corner.

Michigan’s old license and ID design, which will be phased out by January 2029, has a star in a gold circle. The new license design has a star in a silhouette of Michigan.

Valid enhanced licenses and IDs are automatically REAL ID-compliant if they have the star or not. Valid U.S. passports and DHS Trusted Traveler’s cards are also already REAL ID-compliant.

You can learn more about the REAL ID in Michigan by visiting michigan.gov/sos/license-id/real-id.

REAL ID deadline in Michigan: Answering 9 of your most common questions

What do I need to upgrade my license?

To convert to a REAL ID, you will have to visit the Secretary of State and bring the following documents with you:

Your current Michigan driver’s license or ID.
A certified legal name-change document, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate.

There is no added charge for converting to REAL ID if you do it when you’re renewing or replacing your license or ID. If you’re converting at another time, there is a correction fee ($9 for license; $10 for ID) to convert to REAL ID.

You can schedule an appointment with the Secretary of State online at dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/TAP.

You will still be able to change your license to make it REAL ID-compliant license after May 7, 2025.

What do you need a REAL ID for after May 7, 2025?

You will need to show a REAL ID-compliant document to board a plane for domestic travel or to enter certain federal facilities, military bases, and nuclear power plants.

Valid and unexpired standard license or ID can be used after May 7, 2025, for cashing checks, renting vehicles, purchasing alcohol and tobacco, and entering casinos.

You can learn more about the REAL ID in Michigan by visiting michigan.gov/sos/license-id/real-id.

What do I need at a TSA checkpoint?

Anyone 18 and older is required to show identification at the airport checkpoint to travel. That identification will need to be REAL ID-compliant after May 7, 2025.

According to the TSA, the following documents are acceptable:

Driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent).
State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License.
U.S. passport.
U.S. passport card.
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
Permanent resident card.
Border crossing card.
HSPD-12 PIV card.
Foreign government-issued passport.
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card.
Transportation worker identification credential.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential.
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC).

Learn more about tsa.gov. You can visit dhs.gov/real-id and use their REAL ID ready tool to learn more.

Will you need REAL ID to vote after May 2025?

No. All state-issued identification will be accepted when voters are asked to show a valid ID when voting. ID will be accepted if it’s standard, enhanced, or REA-ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card. Voters who do not have valid state-issued ID will be asked to sign an Affidavit of Identity.

Can permanent residents apply for a REAL ID?

Yes. Lawfully present non-U.S. citizens, including permanent and non-permanent residents are eligible to apply for a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card. They will need to schedule an appointment with the Michigan Secretary of State office and bring required documents.

Some documents qualify as REAL ID and can be used for domestic flights when the law goes into effect on May 7, 2024. Those documents include: Permanent resident card Foreign government-issued passport Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).

Will a REAL ID be required for jury duty?

No. A REAL ID will not be required for jury duty, even if it’s in a federal building.

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Michigan

Michigan voters head to the polls on May 6 – here's what they'll be voting on

Published

22 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Press Room

Michigan voters head to the polls on May 6 – here's what they'll be voting on

article

(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

(FOX 2) – May 6 is election day for some local municipalities around Michigan and the first opportunity of 2025 to vote.

While none of the races are statewide or have any bearing on Congress or Michigan governance in the legislature, there are hundreds of local races across dozens of counties.

Local Michigan elections

Just like during the previous presidential election in November, the May 6 special election includes multiple days of early voting – which is part of Michigan’s expanded voting options that residents approved in the past.

Local perspective:

Most of the elections deal with school district millage renewals, which help fund public school buildings and curriculum. Here is a full breakdown of all special elections in metro Detroit.

Livingston County

Dexter Community Schools
Webberville Community Schools

Macomb County

Mt. Clemens Community School

Monroe County

Mason Consolidated Schools
Summerfield Schools Whiteford
Agricultural Schools

Oakland County

Clawson City
Ferndale City
Ferndale Public
Grand Blanc Community Schools
Lamphere Schools

St. Clair County

Algonac Community School District
Kenockee Township
Yale Public Schools

Washtenaw County

Dexter Community Schools
Pittsfield Charter Township

Wayne County

Redford Union School District
Southgate Schools
Wyandotte City

How to vote in Michigan

How to register

There are three different ways to register: online, by mail, or in person at your clerk’s office.

The state of Michigan makes it simple to register to vote – just go to the Secretary of State’s website and fill out the information.

If you’ve moved recently, you should check that your address is correct so that you’ll be able to vote in person or receive your mailed ballot

Voting by mail

Voting by mail – also known as absentee voting – requires you to request an absentee ballot. Michigan will not automatically send you an absentee ballot.

You can do this by registering on the Michigan Secretary of State website, calling your city clerk and asking for an application to be mailed to you, downloading the application from the state’s website and mailing it in, or going directly to your clerk’s office.

There are applications available in other languages, including Arabic, Spanish, Bengali, and Farsi.

When do polls open?

In Michigan, polls open at 7 a.m. local time and remain open until 8 p.m.

Polls in Michigan close at 8 p.m. local time.

For most of the state, that’s 8 p.m. ET. However, there’s the far west corner of the Upper Peninsula that’s in central time – which means those polls will close at 8 p.m. CT, (9 p.m. ET).

What’s on my ballot?

The state makes it really easy to find out what someone will be voting on.

All it takes is filling out some basic information on the Secretary of State’s website. After that, a sample ballot of what the registered voter will see when they head to the polls will appear.

That can be done by going to this link here.

The Source: The Michigan Secretary of State

ElectionMichigan

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Michigan

Elite running back torn between Notre Dame and Michigan speaks on Wolverine Spring Game

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2025

Press Room

Elite running back torn between Notre Dame and Michigan speaks on Wolverine Spring Game

Elite 2026 running back Javian Osborne recently indicated that he will announce his commitment on May 3rd, choosing between bitter rivals Notre Dame and the University of Michigan. Many analysts see the Fighting Irish as the team to beat, but Michigan has not given up on Osborne.

Michigan hosted him for their 2025 spring game and pulled out all the stops to land the talented young runner. The greatest running back in Michigan football history, Blake Corum, was on hand and took some photos with Osborne. One can only imagine that Corum extolled the virtues of being a running back at the University of Michigan and impressed upon Osborne the value of playing at a university with such a rich background and influential alumni base as well.

“It was cool being around so many top guys and seeing how seriously Michigan takes everything, even a Spring Game.”
– 2026 RB recruit Javian Osborne

With Osborne seemingly trending away from Ann Arbor, running backs coach Tony Alford has pivoted towards fellow ’26 back Savion Hiter. Hiter is widely viewed as the top back in the 2026 cycle and would ease any pain brought on by losing Osborne to South Bend. The Wolverines are in a heated battle for the services of Hiter though as well. Being the top-rated RB in a cycle means all the blue bloods are in pursuit of his services.

While it looks dire for the Wolverines concerning Osborne, it is tough to gauge how much influence the spring game and Blake Corum may have had on the young man. Michigan faithful will find out in 12 days how well the Wolverine staff closed, or they will pivot firmly to Hiter as the savior of the running back class of ’26.