
Michigan’s schools are underperforming across several metrics compared to similar districts in top-performing states, according to a new dashboard of data from Launch Michigan, a nonprofit dedicated to improving Michigan’s public education system.
Among the key revelations on the dashboard:
- Seven out of eight Michigan districts do worse than national comparison districts in math.
- 70 percent of Michigan districts underperform in reading compared to similar districts in
- top-performing states.
- 71 percent of Michigan districts underperform their national comparison districts in
- graduation rate.
Using publicly available data, Launch Michigan worked with AEM Corp., an education consultancy in Virginia, to create the data set and district comparison dashboard tool, which allows people to see how individual school districts in Michigan compare to similar districts in states with high education performance: Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Prior to the Launch Michigan dashboard, the state’s school districts could only be compared against each other.
Launch Michigan compared districts to those in other states based on key characteristics like district size, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity demographics, language learners, and students with disabilities, among others.
“It’s important to remember that Michigan didn’t get here overnight,” says Venessa Keesler, president and CEO of Launch Michigan. “After decades of Band-Aid fixes and a lack of investment in education, Michigan has fallen far behind most states — not due to a lack of effort from educators but because of a broken system.”
Since the passage of Proposal A in 1994, Michigan ranks last among states in total education revenue growth and 48th among the states in per pupil funding growth. Michigan also is one of only six states with a disjointed K-12 governance model, according to the Education Commission of the States.
“Launch Michigan is pushing for system-level changes, including a stronger focus on career and college readiness and increased resources invested strategically and with a focus on equity to ensure all students have what they need to learn and be successful,” Keesler says. “We recognize that critical investments have been made in recent years, and we applaud the current focus on PK-14 and increasing foundation allowance. However, Michigan still has room to improve in funding and in outcomes.”
Brian Calley, president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan and a Launch Michigan board member, says: “Michigan’s underperformance in key areas such as math and reading underscores the urgency of our situation. The misalignment of our system with what our students need to succeed in the jobs of today and the future needs to be treated as an emergency.”
Jeff Donofrio, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan and chair of the Launch Michigan board, says: “Parents and educators are working hard to help our kids reach their full potential, but the system was designed for a different time. The data shows the urgent need for reinvention of Michigan’s public K-12 system, which includes strong, accountable leadership, equitable resources, and world-class performance standards.”
Last April, Launch Michigan transitioned from a coalition of top state business, education, labor, and philanthropic leaders to a formal 501(c)(3) organization. Launch Michigan’s framework includes strategies to improve Michigan’s education system and achieve world-class outcomes through balanced resources, governance, and accountability.
Launch Michigan is a bi-partisan, nonprofit organization that includes education, business, labor, and philanthropic leaders working together to reimagine Michigan’s system of public education to prepare every child for success after high school. Learn more at LaunchMichigan.org.