Statement from the Education Trust-Midwest on Bipartisan Budget Maintaining Per-Pupil Funding and Including a One-Time Per-Student Increase

More must be done in future budget cycles to address structural inequities and meet the needs of at-risk students, students with disabilities, English learners and other historically underserved student groups.

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (Sept. 23, 2020) ― Today, the Michigan House of Representatives and State Senate will consider Senate Bill 927 to fund public education in Michigan through September 30, 2021. Despite the fiscal uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, state leaders prioritized public education and proposed to maintain per-pupil funding and funding for vulnerable student groups at the levels funded last year. The budget also includes a one-time per-pupil increase of roughly $65.

The following statement was issued by Amber Arellano, executive director of the Education Trust-Midwest:

“Today’s bipartisan agreement to protect education funding amid an urgent fiscal crisis driven by COVID-19 has taken bold leadership from Governor Whitmer and legislative leaders. We applaud their efforts to put partisan politics aside for the betterment of all Michigan’s students.

“A similar bipartisan focus now must be a priority to address the structural inequities in Michigan’s school funding system, particularly to avoid worsening the devastating opportunity and achievement gaps that were prevalent long before the school shutdowns this past spring. We need a new – and better – normal for Michigan children, especially for vulnerable students.

“We also urge state leaders to ensure greater funding accountability and transparency moving forward to inform future spending decisions and to assure that funding meant for vulnerable students truly reaches and benefits the students for whom those dollars are intended.”