Settlement in Literacy Lawsuit and Hearing from Parents on Public Education

The Whitmer administration has reached a settlement agreement with former Detroit Public School students in the “Right to Read” lawsuit.

The decision avoids a continued legal battle over the landmark decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which affirmed that students have a right to a basic quality of public education, which enables students to exercise civic responsibility. In the suit, the court overturned a lower court decision to dismiss the case. The settlement marks an important step forward for improving outcomes for underserved communities, but much more will be needed in coming years in order to ensure an equitable education for all students in Michigan and across the country.

Through a friend-of-the-court brief, The Education Trust-Midwest and The Education Trust have been proud to support students in this litigation in ensuring that students have access to the quality education that they deserve. All students have the ability to learn when provided with a quality education – and no child should have to sue in order to access a quality education.

The Education Trust-Midwest has continued to work throughout the COVID-19  in calling for both equity and transparency as states and districts start to spend federal CARES Act Funds. In April, we joined 11 partner organizations representing the education and civil rights communities to send a joint letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos asking the Department to establish systems of accountability and transparency to ensure that CARES Act funds were used as intended. And though we’ve been working hard to make sure our voice is heard in advocating for students, there’s no replacing the power of the voices of advocates like you. We need your help.

Today, we are asking that you join the more than 8,000 individuals in signing the petition to make sure that our most vulnerable students get the support they need to recover and succeed. Sign today.

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION’s annual retreat is on Wednesday, May 20.

SENATE EDUCATION AND CAREER READINESS COMMITTEE will meet Wednesday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. in the Harry T. Gast Appropriations Room in the Capitol Building. Agenda: Senate Bill 873 and 875 (Schmidt – R) which would incorporate parts of recent executive orders into law.

• Settlement for Detroit literacy lawsuit eyes nearly $100M in funding – Jennifer Chambers & Beth LeBlanc, The Detroit News
• Shirkey: Don’t cut Michigan schools budget despite $1.2 billion shortfall – Ron French, Bridge Magazine
• ‘A momentous decision’: What the resolution of Detroit’s literacy case could mean for American schools – Matt Barnum, Chalkbeat
• Serving Special Needs Students During COVID-19: A Rural Educator’s Story – Corey Mitchell, Education Week
• Whitmer forms panel to figure out way to reopen school in fall – David Jesse, Detroit Free Press