EdTrust-Midwest calls for statewide solutions, bold leadership and investment in the wake of lagging Michigan NAEP results

The following media statement can be attributed to Jennifer Mrozowski, senior director for external relations and strategic communications at EdTrust-Midwest, on the newly-released 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP.

“Michigan’s continued lagging performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress is proof positive that we need to act now to ensure our students have the resources and support for educational recovery and acceleration. This can’t wait.

“Educational recovery will take bold state leadership and statewide solutions, starting with fair and adequate school funding, especially for students with the greatest needs. Laudably, state leaders made strides by placing the Opportunity Index in law in 2023, which drives greater funding to districts based on their concentration of poverty. But our state did not go far enough. The Opportunity Index funding for students with the greatest needs is underfunded by $2 billion annually.

“State leaders should commit to fully funding the Opportunity Index so that Michigan’s students finally have the resources they need to achieve their full potential. New investment should come with greater fiscal transparency and accountability, including systems to make sure that funding for students with the greatest needs reaches their schools.”

EdTrust-Midwest renewed its call on state leaders to:

• Provide immediate and ongoing support to districts and schools with evidence-based strategies to solve unfinished learning, including through targeted intensive tutoring and expanded learning time.
• Fully fund the Opportunity Index, which is currently underfunded by about $2 billion annually.
• Develop transparent, effective statewide systems to make sure new investments are being spent on strategies targeted at raising student achievement.
• Invest effectively to retain and support exceptional educators and develop more impactful systems of improvement. Read more about recommendations to address Michigan’s educator shortage crisis here.