Governor Whitmer Prioritizes Literacy in Final Year as Michigan Ranks Low

Michigan Governor Puts Literacy at the Forefront of Her Agenda

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared that her last year in office will be dedicated to enhancing student literacy across Michigan. At a state literacy summit held in Detroit on December 15, 2025, she emphasized the importance of ensuring that “every child reads,” aiming for a comprehensive improvement in education standards.

Currently, Michigan’s educational performance is under scrutiny, ranking in the lower half of the nation in various key areas such as high school graduation rates and proficiency in math and reading for fourth and eighth graders. As Whitmer pointed out, “Today, we’re 44th in the country in fourth grade reading,” with only 40% of fourth graders reading at the expected level, and nearly a third of students performing below average. Whitmer described this as a crisis that demands immediate attention.

Critics have noted a shift in the state’s focus from educational investment to business incentives. Lou Glazer of Michigan Future highlighted that prioritizing literacy is a significant step forward. “The anchor of education attainment is reading and writing,” he stated, supporting Whitmer’s renewed focus on literacy as a major policy shift.

In defense of her administration’s past efforts, Whitmer mentioned several initiatives aimed at supporting literacy, such as assistance for children with dyslexia, provision of free school meals, and expanded access to universal preschool. Recognizing that the literacy challenge has been long-standing, she emphasized that efforts to achieve full reading proficiency among students must persist beyond her term.

Looking ahead, Whitmer has proposed focusing on phonics and similar strategies to streamline the methods used by school districts to improve reading proficiency. Further details about these plans are expected in her upcoming State of the State address and budget proposal.

For more information on Michigan’s education rankings, visit the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Additionally, details on Michigan’s universal preschool initiatives can be found on Bridge Michigan.