Our take on Gov. Whitmer’s Education Budget. Plus news, updates and more.

Mar 12, 2019 by edtrustmidwest

Advancing Equity & Opportunity in Michigan's State Budget

Last week, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her School Aid budget for the fiscal year that begins in October, which includes $500 million more for public education than the current year’s budget.

The Education Trust-Midwest is pleased to share Advancing Equity & Opportunity: Prioritizing Public Education in Michigan’s State Budget. This analysis of the executive budget recommendation highlights and analyzes key components of the budget proposal, including fair school funding, a focus on improving early literacy, and expanding access to postsecondary education. You can access the analysis at edtru.st/Budget2020.

“Governor Whitmer’s commitment to investing in underserved students – including students with special needs – is an important step forward for public education in Michigan,” said Amber Arellano, executive director of The Education Trust-Midwest. “In addition to funding improvements, Michigan needs to move toward improvement-focused practices and policies that are based on evidence to dramatically improve student learning. We are committed to continuing to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle to support Michigan’s adoption and implementation of the highest-leverage policies and practices for improving outcomes for all students.”

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Capital Update

House Education Committee met this morning at 9 a.m. in room 521 of the House Office Building. Agenda: House Bill 4206 (Frederick, R), which would excuse public schools from the requirement to make up instructional days and hours, if the school was closed during a state of emergency. Governor Whitmer declared a State of Emergency due to extremely cold temperatures during the week of January 28, 2019.

Under current Michigan law, schools are not required to make up instructional time for the first six days of canceled school because of conditions outside of the school’s control, such as severe weather. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction may also grant waivers for up to three additional missed days.

It is unclear how this proposal would impact school closures during local states of emergency, such as the state of emergency for Ionia County from February 13-March 9, 2019.

Michigan State Board of Education also met today, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the Fourth Floor of the John A. Hannah Building. The agenda includes a presentation on school finance and an update from the office of partnership districts.

House School Aid and Department of Education Appropriations Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday, March 13 at noon in room 352 of the State Capitol Building. Agenda: Overview of the FY 2019-20 executive budget recommendation for the School Aid fund and a presentation on state assessments and the teacher pipeline.

Senate K-12 and Education Appropriations Subcommittee will meet on Thursday, March 14 at 8:30 a.m. in the Harry T. Gast Appropriations Room in the State Capitol Building. Agenda: a presentation by the State Budget Office and Michigan Department of Education on the executive budget recommendations for the school aid fund and Department of Education.