Back to school in Michigan: 5 things parents need to know

August 21, 2026

Michigan schools are implementing several significant changes for the 2026-27 academic year that will affect students, teachers, and parents statewide. A new state law mandates that districts adopt restrictions on wireless devices like cellphones and smartwatches during classroom instruction, though individual districts have flexibility in determining specific policies ranging from locked pouches to office storage. Additional changes include reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test for all physical education students, eliminating the SAT essay requirement from the Michigan Merit Exam, expanding team-teaching programs to more schools, and requiring districts to report on teacher completion of mandatory literacy training.

Who is affected

Michigan K-12 students across all grade levels
Parents of Michigan public school students
K-5 educators who teach reading or language arts
Physical education teachers and students enrolled in PE classes
High school juniors taking the Michigan Merit Exam
Teachers participating in team-teaching programs
School districts across Michigan (specifically mentioned: Detroit Public Schools Community District, Westwood Community Schools in Wayne County, and Ferndale Public Schools)
Students with individualized education plans (IEPs)

What action is being taken

School districts are implementing wireless device restrictions during instruction using various methods including lock boxes, Yondr pouches, and classroom storage boxes
Students in physical education classes are taking the Presidential Fitness Test
Sixteen additional Michigan schools are joining team-teaching programs for the 2026-27 school year
School districts are reporting the number and percentage of K-5 educators who have received mandatory literacy training
The Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative is bringing structures, processes, data, and tools to help teachers with team teaching

Why it matters

The cellphone restrictions matter because districts that have already implemented them report significant improvements including fewer distractions, reduced drama, and increased healthy social interaction among students. The literacy training and reporting requirements are significant because test scores currently show a majority of Michigan students are struggling with reading, making this part of a broader effort to improve literacy instruction statewide. The elimination of the SAT essay and transcript requirements levels the playing field for Michigan students competing for college admissions against students from other states whose test scores don't appear on transcripts, especially as many colleges have made testing optional. Team teaching matters because research shows it can improve both student achievement and teacher retention, addressing workforce challenges in education.

What's next

High school juniors will benefit from the elimination of the SAT essay requirement when the state assessment season begins next spring (2027)
Current K-5 educators have until the 2031-32 school year to complete mandatory literacy training
The state will publish data on districts' progress in completing literacy training, allowing the public to track progress
Students who meet all Presidential Fitness Test targets can earn fitness test awards

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com