|  Dear Friend, Earlier this month, I signed my seventh balanced, bipartisan education budget to make game-changing investments in schools and classrooms across Michigan and set all our students up for success. The budget delivers record per-student funding of over $10,000 for every kid, in every school, free school meals for all 1.4 million public school students, and upgrades to school campuses statewide. The new budget also prioritizes literacy, to ensure that all our kids grow up to be strong readers and writers. Strong literacy skills are the foundation of success in school and life. That’s why we’re working alongside students, parents, and educators to help each and every kid learn what they need to thrive. This budget continues to boost literacy by investing in what works:    
Free PreK for All so every 4-year-old has a strong academic start.Training for educators in proven strategies.Adopting effective curriculum aligned with what works and using assessments so parents and educators know what a child needs to continue to grow.Connecting kids with extra support, including after-school programs and extra funding for the schools with the greatest needs.Helping schools test for dyslexia to identify students who need extra help early, further implementing bipartisan legislation I signed late last year to use proven, science of reading strategies like phonics. We’ve done a lot, but there’s still a lot more we must do. Our test scores tell us that kids need more support with reading and writing so they are prepared to tackle the challenges of the next grade or next phase of life. Knowing how to read is an ordinary superpower that we all deserve to have. I’m committed to leading more statewide action to help more kids be strong readers and writers, and I need your help. Tell me what’s working and where you see new opportunities to deliver for young people in our state. Your feedback will help inform our work to put all Michigan students on a path to success. We can’t do this without you—take the survey and share your opinions with me. Let’s do what it takes to get our kids back on track for the bright futures they all deserve. Sincerely,  Gretchen Whitmer Governor  Literacy SurveyKnowing how to read is an ordinary superpower that we all deserve to have. Take the survey and tell us what you think is helping younger learners and where you see new opportunities to help our kids become stronger readers and writers. By sharing your thoughts, you’re helping shape a stronger future for Michigan’s kids and families.   |