Ready for Rigor: Expanding Access to Rigorous Coursework in Michigan

Summary

Every Michigan student deserves a high school education that prepares them for college, careers, and life. Our new report, “Ready for Rigor: Expanding Access to Rigorous Coursework in Michigan,” finds that too many students — especially students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, English Learners, and students with disabilities — face barriers to accessing rigorous coursework opportunities like Advanced Placement (AP), dual enrollment, and career and technical education.

Introduction

Access to rigorous, relevant coursework is a fundamental part of a strong high school education. Research shows that when students are given access to advanced coursework, they are more engaged, experience fewer absences and suspensions, and are more likely to graduate. In our new report, we examine where Michigan is falling short in preparing students for their postsecondary pathways and what state and district leaders can do to expand access for students.

The report looks at access to AP, dual enrollment, and career-connected learning opportunities, while also examining the roles that school counseling, early literacy, and math readiness play in shaping students’ long-term success. Researchers found that Michigan students often have fewer rigorous coursework options than their peers in other states, and that longstanding opportunity gaps continue to leave many students at a disadvantage.

Key Findings

EdTrust-Midwest’s analysis and research highlight several major challenges in Michigan’s college and career readiness pipeline, including:

• Students in Michigan’s wealthiest districts have, on average, over seven times more AP course options than students in the highest poverty districts
• Michigan’s Black and Latino students, students with disabilities and English Learners are less likely to be enrolled in AP courses than their white peers
• During the 2024-25 school year, Michigan’s average student-to-counselor ratio was 565:1, far above the recommended 250:1 ratio
• Michigan’s dual enrollment participation lags the national rate, and students of color are under-represented among dual enrollment participants

 Why It Matters

Students deserve access to opportunities that give them real choices in their academic and career journeys, not pathways limited by unequal access to courses, counseling, and support. As the report makes clear, when Michigan expands equitable access to rigorous coursework, students are better positioned to graduate with the knowledge, skills, and options they need for what comes next.

Policy Recommendations

The report outlines a roadmap for expanding access and reducing barriers, including:

• Adopting automatic enrollment in advanced coursework policies for qualifying students
• Continuing and streamlining AP, IB, and CLEP exam fee reimbursements for qualifying students
• Creating a stronger statewide funding mechanism for dual enrollment
• Investing in high-quality career and technical education opportunities
• Strengthening the school counselor pipeline
• Implementing FAFSA completion as a graduation requirement with guardrails and support for families

Call to Action

Read the full report to see how Michigan can strengthen its college- and career-readiness system and ensure every student has access to the rigorous coursework and support they need to thrive.