Bridge Listens: How Michigan’s next governor will try to fix K-12 schools

March 26, 2026

Bridge Michigan surveyed nine gubernatorial candidates from Republican, Democrat, and independent parties on six critical education questions as the state faces significant challenges including low literacy rates, teacher shortages, and poor college readiness. Republican candidates generally emphasized parental choice, phonics instruction, charter school expansion, and the federal tax credit scholarship program, while Democratic candidates focused on supporting traditional public schools, increasing teacher salaries, and maintaining recent policy changes like universal free meals. All candidates acknowledged Michigan's education struggles, with the state ranking 44th nationally in fourth-grade reading and only 27% of high schoolers demonstrating college readiness on the SAT.

Who is affected

Michigan K-12 students, particularly fourth-graders struggling with reading and high schoolers unprepared for college
Michigan teachers and prospective teachers facing credentialing requirements and salary concerns
Parents choosing between public schools, charter schools, and potential private school options
School districts, especially those unable to pass bonds or sinking funds for infrastructure
Charter schools and traditional public schools competing for resources
School administrators and support staff
Public school teachers unions supporting Democratic candidates
Rural communities and large urban school systems
Struggling students requiring literacy coaches or tutors
Formerly incarcerated Michiganders seeking career opportunities
Higher-income families potentially losing access to free school meals under some proposals

What action is being taken

A 2024 law requires districts to ensure teachers are trained in the science of reading by the 2027-28 school year
A bipartisan bill is currently moving through the Legislature that would make LETRS training mandatory
The state has worked to lower the cost of getting a teaching credential
Michigan has increased per-pupil funding in recent years
Access to free pre-kindergarten has expanded significantly during Governor Whitmer's tenure
Annual budget diversions from Michigan's School Aid Fund are topping $1 billion this year under Whitmer and the Legislature
Twenty-three states have opted into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program (Michigan has not)

Why it matters

Michigan's education crisis threatens the state's future workforce competitiveness and economic prosperity, with fourth-grade reading proficiency ranking 44th nationally and only 27% of high schoolers demonstrating college readiness. The teacher shortage compounds these challenges by limiting schools' ability to provide quality instruction and implement necessary interventions for struggling students. The philosophical divide between candidates over school choice, public versus private funding, and accountability measures will fundamentally shape how Michigan allocates billions in education dollars and whether resources flow toward traditional public schools or alternative options like charter and private schools. The decisions made by the next governor will determine whether Michigan children receive adequate preparation for college, careers, and civic participation, impacting generational outcomes for Michigan families and communities.

What's next

Implementation of the 2024 law requiring science of reading training by 2027-28 school year
Potential passage of the bipartisan LETRS training bill currently in the Legislature
Decision on whether Michigan will opt into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program
Potential implementation of various candidate proposals including: hiring literacy coaches, restoring third-grade reading retention laws, expanding career and technical education programs, creating new teacher certification pathways, establishing new school accountability systems, posting curricula online, conducting audits of school meal spending, creating a bipartisan task force on school grading systems, and potentially overhauling the per-pupil funding model
James promised to provide more details on his school accountability system and school meal spending audit at a later date
Duggan's campaign stated they need to review final details of the federal tax credit program before making a decision

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com