EdTrust-Midwest Takes Michigan’s Priorities to Washington for Hill Day
This week, EdTrust-Midwest staff and advocates traveled to Washington, D.C., for Hill Day, bringing Michigan’s priorities and the voices of our communities directly to federal lawmakers.
Hill Day provided an important opportunity to meet with the offices of Congressmen Tim Walberg and Tom Barrett and Congresswoman Haley Stevens and Senator Elissa Slotkin to elevate the education issues that matter most to Michigan students and families. The day, which brought together advocates and team members from across EdTrust offices, also reinforced the need for policies that expand opportunity and improve outcomes.
In meetings with congressional offices, the advocates discussed the need for increased federal investment in Title I and IDEA, expanded access to college and career pathways, stronger supports for educator pipelines (Title II funding), and sustained investments in literacy strategies by connecting these priorities directly to the experiences of Michigan students and districts. These conversations helped ground federal policy decisions in the real challenges and opportunities facing students and communities across the state.
For EdTrust-Midwest, the trip also reflected the importance of partnership in advocacy work as members of the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity coalition joined the EdTrust team in Washington. These partners included Ben Locke, State Director of Teach Plus Michigan, Deidre Bounds, president and co-owner of Ignite Social Media, Anton Horton, Executive Director of Boldly Moving Education Ahead, and Jackie Correa-Cortez, a first-generation college student at Western Michigan University.
These advocates highlighted the need for federal programs that support the recruitment, preparation, and retention of diverse and highly effective educators. They also shared the importance of improving college and career readiness and how federal support, especially investment in Pell grants, expands access to higher education.
They shared firsthand perspectives to help lawmakers understand what is at stake. Bringing staff and advocates together for these meetings underscores the collaborative spirit that drives our work and strengthens our impact.
“The trip was a valuable opportunity for shared learning, relationship-building, and advancing the case for educational equity on a national stage,” said EdTrust-Midwest State Director Brian L. Love. “EdTrust-Midwest was proud to stand alongside partners and advocates who continue to push for policies that better support Michigan students, especially those who have been historically underserved.”
We look forward to sharing more details, reflections, and highlights from Hill Day as we continue this work in the weeks ahead.
