Statement on Report: Over half of Michigan’s 3rd-grade students identified as having a “reading deficiency”
Over half of Michigan’s 3rd-grade students were identified as having a “reading deficiency” between 1st and 3rd grade, according to a new report on data from the 2020-21 school year by Michigan State University’s Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC).
The findings from “Michigan’s Read by Grade Three Law: Year Two Report” reinforce what we have long seen: Our state is missing the mark in strategically improving early literacy, and there are disproportionate gaps in opportunity for the state’s most disadvantaged students. That’s especially troubling because research shows that early literacy is a foundational skill for future academic success. When children read well by third grade, they are dramatically more likely to succeed not only in school, but in life.
Yet Michigan has been one of only 18 states declining in early literacy, according to data from 2003-2019 on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). And our state was in the bottom 10 for 4th grade reading for Black students, as compared to other states on the NAEP in 2019 – even before the pandemic exacerbated longstanding achievement gaps.
Our statement:
“This report reinforces what we have long seen: Michigan is missing the mark in strategically improving early literacy, and there are disproportionate gaps in opportunity for the state’s most disadvantaged students.
“That’s especially troubling because research shows that early literacy is a foundational skill for future academic success. When children read well by third grade, they are dramatically more likely to succeed not only in school, but in life.
“Yet Michigan has been one of only 18 states declining in early literacy, according to data from 2003-2019 on the National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP). And our state was in the bottom 10 for 4thgrade reading for Black students, as compared to other states on the NAEP in 2019 – even before the pandemic exacerbated longstanding achievement gaps.
“If we are truly committed to making Michigan a top ten state for education, we must make early literacy a top priority in our state. That should include strategic investments to improve and support our youngest readers, including through a coordinated statewide plan backed by effective implementation.
“Leading education states have paved the way with strategies to improve early literacy. The time is now to follow their lead — and get Michigan’s students back on track to succeed.”